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Elidor  By  cover art

Elidor

By: Alan Garner
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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Editorial reviews

Elidor, by British writer Alan Garner, first breathed life as a radio play. Following that success, it was expanded into a short children’s novel and published in 1965. Now, in this audiobook, it has returned to form as a piece to be heard. Focusing on a group of children who must have distinct voices, the audiobook makes great demands on performer Jonathan Keeble, who handles the job with agility.

Elidor borrows from C. S. Lewis by imagining a group of children who find a portal to another world. The comparison ends, however, when that world is a borderline nightmare which follows the characters back to the world we all know. Drawing heavily on folkloric sources, this audiobook is appropriate for children, but interesting to any adult.

Publisher's summary

"Towers - like flame. A candle in darkness. A black wind."

Roland Watson wasn't expecting to see things like that when he kicked a football into a condemned church. But once inside, he is taken from the slums of Manchester to the ruins of a magical kingdom. And only he can bring back the light to Elidor.

With his brothers and sister, Roland has to solve ancient riddles and brave dark forces to save the mythical land. But he has to prevent those same forces destroying their own world, too.

Brilliantly mixing myths and fantasy with spare and acute reality, Alan Garner's third novel secured his place at the forefront of children's writing, with his work also appealing greatly to adult readers.

©2006 Alan Garner (P)2009 Naxos Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"This fantasy brims with classic components of the genre." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Elidor

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Alan Garner’s Wonderful Fantasy Novels

As delightful for adults as for children, this is a mythic tale of a hero’s journey, with real dangers, for children called to help. Very honest, very down to earth as to what it would look like, feel like, sound like. Very enjoyable. Sone fine writing, and imagining.

Jonathan Keeble’s narration is excellent. He gives his all, never holds backs, and you instantly know which of many characters is speaking. Fine acting craftsmanship, never winking at the adults. He treats the book as seriously as we should.

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