The Crystal Cave

The Arthurian Saga, Book 1

By: Mary Stewart

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Born the bastard son of a Welsh princess, Myrdden Emrys - or as he would later be known, Merlin - leads a perilous childhood, haunted by portents and visions. But destiny has great plans for this no-man's-son, taking him from prophesying before High King Vortigern to the crowning of Uther Pendragon, and the conception of Arthur, king for once and always.

©2016 Mary Stewart (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Stewart was a scholar of the literature as well as a riveting and original storyteller, and Derek Perkins is her match. His delivery is faultlessly fine, conveying the heart-pounding excitement of Stewart's tale and the gorgeous atmosphere she has created, all while bringing to life a young Merlin who does not yet know what he is or will be.... Perkins is a marvelous interpreter of this fantastic and vividly imagined world and will leave listeners on tenterhooks for the next installment." (AudioFile)

Fantasy as literature.

In early HS, the only time our class went to the library was to learn the dewey decimal system. But once I found that room -- secluded from the hallways with large heavy double doors and filled with silence and books -- I went to school, but the library was my true destination. It's where I found Jane Eyre, and Dickens, and George Elliott, and Austen -- and that changed everything. And yes, Mary Stewart's Merlin series, too.

I remember reading it at the time, with an amazed sense of wonder. Wonder over the magical subject matter certainly, but also wonder at the literacy of the author. This was fantasy written at an adult level, with the beautiful language I had learned to love. But it was more -- it gave me magic for the first time, and I loved it. It set me on a path to find the best fantasy books I could, because now I knew they were out there.

I am so happy to say that I have listened to The Crystal Cave this week with my sense of wonder still intact, and it gives me hope. How can we despair of a world that has such wonders in it? My quest for beautifully written books in every genre will never end.

To finally have it on audio, read by the great Derek Perkins, is almost too good to be true. This series is a treat, a joy and an opportunity to pass it on to younger generations, and I couldn't be more thrilled to give it a 5 star review. I wish I could give it a thousand.


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: For everyone.

(Thank you, Mary Stewart.)

Liked it enough to get next book in series

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to find this. What a great book and a very minor history lesson. Merlin has always been a favorite and this doesn’t disappoint. I loved the movie Excalibur as a kid and this is way better. First time experiencing the author and I enjoy her style. It’s very simple which makes it perfect. An enjoyable story for sure and one that I’m choosing to continue.

Wonderful!

What does Derek Perkins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This is my first listen with Derek Perkins. He reads the story with heart and there are no huge breaths some narrators take between sentences, which i find so annoying.
just great!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

For sure.

Excellent storytelling

I read this novel years ago and was pleasantly surprised to find it as moving!

wonderfully read and a great story

like I said a great story well read and fun to listen to. I highly recommend it.

Such a Story, Such Good Writing

I read The Crystal Cave trilogy 45 years ago, twice, in a row, because it was so captivating. To listen to it now, with such a talented narrator, is a real pleasure that brought back so many memories. Everything about this audiobook, this story, is just about perfect. I ordered The Hollow Hills right before writing this.

Magically Wonderful!

Everything you could want and more. Excellent from beginning to end. The story everyone should know. It will make your heart heavy in parts and exulted in other parts! 💫Narrator Perfect ❤

Derek Perkins narration was perfect

I listen to this wonderful audio version often. An almost historical fiction take on the Merlin/Arturian legends.

Been waiting for this for decades

If you could sum up The Crystal Cave in three words, what would they be?

Timeless, enthralling, mesmerizing.

What did you like best about this story?

The Crystal Cave tells the story of Merlin unlike any other version. Mary Stewart brings Merlin to life in a way that is not just magical and mystical, making them real-life figures in a way that other Merlin tales have not been able to do.

What does Derek Perkins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent narrator who drew me into a story that I am extremely familiar with. I first read this book in 1972 and have reread it more times than I can remember. I've been waiting for the audible version for decades and was thrilled that Perkins narration did not detract from the voice of Merlin that has been in my head for over 40 years.

Any additional comments?

I am anxiously awaiting the second and third books in this series for a complete telling of the story! Please bring on The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment.

LIKE AN ARTHURIAN TALE? - BUY THIS ONE.

So very well written & narrated, it is spell binding. One of the very best of this genre. A tale of a young Merlin growing up in ancient England, with kings, castles, & knights a plenty, all wrapped in a wonderful tale beautifully weaved to hold you interest throughout.

Mary Stewart paints this legend at it the best. She brings Wales, England and Brittany to life, with her extraordinary ability to paint a picture and tell a grand story. She makes Merlin believable and its fascinating to start the whole legend with a young boy, king's bastard Grandson and his tutor Galapas. The whole story is extraordinary and if you fancy a wistful tale in Ye Olde England mixed with the Arthurian legend start with this book.