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Ivanhoe  By  cover art

Ivanhoe

By: Sir Walter Scott
Narrated by: Jim Killavey
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Editorial reviews

Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe takes place in the 12th century and follows one of the last remaining Saxon nobles, Wilfred of Ivanhoe. Set shortly after the crusades, Robin Hood, by the name of Locksley, is one of Scott's more famous characters. With his classic tenor voice, Jim Killavey serves as a good guide for Scott's Middle Ages. He harnesses the vernacular of the time with ease and his formality, although stiff in moments, fits the work's tone. Killavey's diction is quite remarkable, and he utilizes his deeper register to capture these masculine characters' voices.

Publisher's summary

Sir Walter Scott gathered a popular audience, larger than any audience before. A great innovator, he created one of the outstanding literary forms of the past 200 years - the historical novel. In Ivanhoe, Scott brings to life 12th century England. The disinherited knight Ivanhoe, his fair lady Rowena, Richard the Lion-Hearted and Robin Hood - these are people shaped by the forces of tradition, molded by their nation's history.
Public Domain (P)1986 Jimcin Recordings

What listeners say about Ivanhoe

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    3 out of 5 stars
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ROBIN HOOD

Aside from being a source for the legend of Robin Hood, “Ivanhoe” is a boring adventure with a smattering of muddled history, stilted romance, and legendary valor.

This is a story of twelfth century England, a time of great conflict between Christians, other-believers like Muslims and Jews, and non-believers (pagans that believe in many gods or no God). Layered into this religious conflict is Anglo/Saxon resentment of Norman control of England. “Ivanhoe” creates the legend of Robin Hood with an introduction of Norman-King Richard the Lionheart and his brother, Prince John, to characterize the era. This is during the time of the Crusades when Saladin is spreading Muslim beliefs through the world with conquests in Syria and the Middle East.

Sir Walter Scott may be a better writer than is shown in “Ivanhoe” but for adventure and romance, Alexander Dumas is a better practitioner of the art.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best book

This is a great story. We need chivalry today in society. This such a great contrast between good and evil

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Good tales are good - no matter how old.
Fascinating story. Well read, too.

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19 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Terrific story! Not my favorite narrator...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Story:
The poetry that opened each chapter gave such a marked elegance to the text and a chivalrous ambience to the portrayal of the people. The description of the land and the manner and attire of the people were so carefully detailed as to be perfect for a student studying the time period. Historical references were intermingled with a delightful story of honor and avarice, fortune and despair, which made you admire and feel for even some of the most despised characters.

Narrator:
I originally began to listen to this book narrated by Jim Killavey, and although it has high reviews, I personally found his voice or possibly the recording a little grating. So halfway through, I bought the recording by Michael Page whose voices are so expressive and distinct, that I understood the book better. I enjoyed Michael Page's version greatly, and even laughed out loud at some of the ways he expressed some of the lines of the jester and Cedric. But don't take my word for it. Listen carefully to the samples from both, and pick for yourself!

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3 people found this helpful