The Crystal Cave

The Arthurian Saga, Book 1

By: Mary Stewart

Narrated by: Nicol Williamson

Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Was Merlin an otherworldly being or just an ordinary mortal with extraordinary powers? Over the centuries there have been many stories about Camelot, but the mystery of the magician who nurtured, trained, and advised King Arthur has remained unexplored. Some have called Merlin a sinister, all-powerful Prince of Darkness. Others have described him as a merely a man, heir to the secrets of the Crystal Cave, possessed of rare and remarkable gifts. In this first part of her trilogy of Arthurian legend Mary Stewart delves into the mystery of Merlin. Visit the strange and mystical world of 5th-century Britain - a time and place made real through the dramatic reading of Nicol Williamson, the acclaimed British actor who played Merlin in the film Excalibur.

©1970 by Mary Stewart (P)1989 Dove Audio

Disappointing

What would have made The Crystal Cave better?

Making it UNabridged!

What was most disappointing about Mary Stewart’s story?

I read this book many years ago and was anxious to do so before heading to England recently. I had little time so I decided to LISTEN to it. Unfortunately the recorded version was greatly abridged. The other reviews I read also spoke poorly of it, but I decided to try it anyway. Not really worth the effort. The heart and soul of the book seemed to no longer really be there.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

He's a very fine actor, I just didn't feel he made it come alive... but that could have been due to the cuts in the story.

Any additional comments?

no

Really bad production

What was most disappointing about Mary Stewart’s story?

This is one of my favorite books, and therefore one of the first books I purchased with my audible membership. Unfortunately, the abridgment takes so much out of the story that it is impossible to follow. Also, the production/sound quality is awful.

Any additional comments?

Hopefully, someone else will make an unabridged recording in the future

Skeleton of the book. How disappointing.

I came across a paperback version of this book and got hooked. I have't had time to finish and was excited to find an audio version. This book has none of the details or character development that are in the paperback. I will be more careful about what I purchase in the future.

yuck

Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy, beginning with this book, is one of the greatest series ever written. It combines the interest of ancient historical fiction with the magic of fantasy brilliantly. There are passages in the story where I would swear I felt as though I were the one on a horse, traveling through the pristine forest. I have read it many times and would be thrilled to have a recording of it. This abridged travesty is disgusting. It is not the story. I would ask all people who love this story as I do to request that Audible attempt to aquire the rights to distribute an unabridged recording. You might also make a request at BBC America or Chivers Audiobooks as they have unabridged recordings that are "out of print".

Don’t make the mistake I made.

Terrible abridgment, incoherent. I didn’t realize that’s what I was getting and it ruins a book I read again and again as a teen.

Overly and poorly abridged

Would you try another book from Mary Stewart and/or Nicol Williamson?

Yes. I have read other Mary Stewart books and they are great.

Has The Crystal Cave turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Nicol Williamson?

Yes, that might help.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment - did not meet my expectations

Oh dear

Made the mistake of buying the abridged version......don’t do it....great story and it is wrecked by leaving out very important parts......buy the unabridged version. 😁

Disappointed

I had loved the book but this was shortened, terrible sound quality, and very poor narration. I plan to delete it from my Ipod.

Not the complete book.

Would you try another book from Mary Stewart and/or Nicol Williamson?

Perhaps

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Crystal Cave?

The book is a wonderful one. The Audible version left a great deal out.

Have you listened to any of Nicol Williamson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Crystal Cave?

None, and I wish you hadn't done so. If audio books were true to the book, I'd be a great deal happier.

Any additional comments?

Purchased this book after being a fan and reading the paper book. Very surprised to find it edited.

I wish I had paid attention to the word "abridged"

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Make unabridged version, this book and the others in the series are a complete waste of time and money. I have always been a fan of these books but this abridged version was horrible. Do not buy if you have read the books you will be very disappointed.

Would you ever listen to anything by Mary Stewart again?

Yes

Which character – as performed by Nicol Williamson – was your favorite?

He was pretty good overall

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Upset that so much was left out

Any additional comments?

no