The Once and Future King

By: T. H. White

Narrated by: Neville Jason

Length: 33 hrs

Publisher's summary

The complete "box set" of T. H. White's epic fantasy novel of the Arthurian legend. The novel is made up of five parts: "The Sword in the Stone", "The Witch in the Wood", "The Ill-Made Knight", "The Candle in the Wind", and "The Book of Merlyn".

Merlyn instructs the Wart (Arthur) and his brother, Sir Kay, in the ways of the world. One of them will need it: the king has died, leaving no heir, and a rightful one must be found by pulling a sword from an anvil resting on a stone. In the second and third parts of the novel, Arthur has become king and the kingdom is threatened from the north. In the final two books, the ageing king faces his greatest challenge, when his own son threatens to overthrow him. In "The Book of Merlyn", Arthur's tutor Merlyn reappears and teaches him that, even in the face of apparent ruin, there is hope.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©1939, 1940, 1958 T. H. White (P)2008 Naxos Audiobooks

Critic reviews

AudioFile Earphones Award, 2009

"For those who have never read these five books, prepare to be surprised by their adultness, their laugh-out-loud humor and tongue-in-cheek commentary on modern life; for those who know them well, prepare to be delighted with Neville Jason's transcendent reading. The lovely timbre of his narrative voice, his rhythmic, easy pacing and host of individual characterizations transport listeners into White's weird and wonderful otherworld as quickly as Alice slipped through the looking glass. This long production is so entrancing that one wishes it would never end." (AudioFile)

People Who Say They are No Good are Always the

Good Ones.
Since you can get these five books for one credit, go ahead and get it, instead of one book at a time. Believe me if you buy the first book, you are going to want the second and if you buy the second, etc. Since this is five books I will go over each, in case you buy one at a time. I will try an be brief. I mean if if takes you as long to read the review as the book, why not just get the book.

1, The Sword and The Stone (1938). This is the best of the five and is mostly a fantasy. Wart/Arthur is turned into several animals to learn about life. There is also an interesting part on boar hunting. Did you know on a boar spear there is a cross piece to keep the animal from running up the spear to get to you.

2.The Witch In the Wood (1939) This is shorter, darker and not as funny, nor as good as the book before and after, but necessary as it explains the origin of the Round Table.

3. The Ill-Made Knight (1940) This is all about Lancelot. You really get to know his character, matter of fact there is more character building in this book then the others. This is the longest of the books and actually goes on about three hours longer then it should have. Did you know that Lancelot was extremely ugly? This is one of the reasons he became such a great Knight. It is such a big part of his character I can't believe so many movies chose to make him some stupid Handsome Hunk. He is a lot more complicated as an Ugly Man. You are introduced to the tragic character Elaine, who starts out as a trickster, but who you end up feeling strongly sorry for. Guinvere turns out to be one horny queen.

4. The Candle in The Wind (1958) Does Might Mean Right is the common theme in all these books. It is especially in this one and the book has several long speeches. I myself as a child never understood why John Wayne won ever fight he was in. Until True Grit, John Wayne strongly believed he should never be killed in a movie. Heroes don't die and never lose fights. King Arthur's mother dies at the age of 70, in bed with a young man she seduced. In the original "Once and Future King" this was the last book, as it should have stayed.

5.The Book of Merlyn (1977) This was published after T.H. White's death. He wanted it in the original (Once and Future King), but the editor would not allow it. That was one smart editor. This book brought the whole series down from Five stars to Four. This book has no plot and is 97% anti-war speeches. There is a part where the King is turned into a ant and then into a goose. Those parts and the end which explains what finally happens to everybody are the only good parts to the book. This is mostly a debate where White argues both sides. I also am aniti-war, but no explanation is given about what to do about people like Hitler. White seems to say let him keep murdering Jews.

All in all this is very well written, is very entertaining and if you are a fan of the Legend of Arthur, then it is a must read.

The narrator is excellent.

Buy it for the first book.

The narration in this story is outstanding! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and was pleased to learn how true to the story Disney's "The Sword in the Stone" movie acutally was. The rest of the story focuses the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere. The moments when Arthur comes into the story are touching and my favorite parts, but they are few and far between. There are also several great side stories along the way that make it worth reading.

The final book, as others have said is completely different. It doesn’t really add anything to the story. It’s interesting, but only if you are really into sociopolitical theory, anthropology, and biology. That doesn’t make sense to you? Give it a try and see what I mean.

Best Narration

If you could sum up The Once and Future King in three words, what would they be?

Interesting things happen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Once and Future King?

Oh I just loved it every time the Questing Beast made an appearance.

What about Neville Jason’s performance did you like?

What an amazing performance! He had unique voices for all the characters, and carried them consistently throughout, as the characters aged and matured their voice characterization evolved without changing into something unrecognizable. His narration was lively and intelligent, and he mastered many accents and even a bit of singing. I had to pause on many occasions, just stunned by how much he added to the story. I'm so glad I chose this one in audiobook format.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It's not the same old story, it's so much more.

Any additional comments?

This set is entertaining and family friendly - although it's not a children's book, there isn't much that could be considered too offensive (I don't know, ages 8+ maybe 10+). It's inventive, beautifully written and superbly narrated. It's good enough to lure a teenager away from their video games because they become genuinely interested in what happens next.

Good Performance.

what a wonderful story. well performed. a real treat to hear. its length is only a bonus.

summer reading

book was ok, but the narrator's voice was a perfect match for this. ❤ fortnite

Amazing

One of the best books I've ever experienced. It has changed me from my soul-out. An amazing blend of comedy, sorrow, and philosophy. One of the greatest books humanity has ever produce. Simply beautiful.

Enthralling brilliant story

Remarkably deep and entertaining story of King Arthur and his round table. Finest narration possible!

Classic Tale

This is a classic tale that is beautifully written and masterfully told. But somehow it left me feeling a bit depressed. Although I don't require a happy ending per se, the upbeat ideals of chivalry and might not making right at the beginning of the book devolve into betrayal upon betrayal and death by the end of the tale. It is an absolute classic, but I don't think I will be reading it again.

thought provoking book

a great story, timeless and fun and makes you look at the big questions without seeming to be doing so!

Painfully Enjoyable... I Guess

Book 1 made me feel like i was in grade school preparing to write a report, and Book 5 mostly made me want to puncture my ear drums from boredom. But everything in the middle was very enjoyable, and the very (very) end of the last book was extremely moving. for the right price I recommend this work.