The Sword in the Stone

By: T. H. White

Narrated by: Neville Jason

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

This is one of the most popular re-tellings of the story of King Arthur. Like The Lord of the Rings, this fantasy novel has been equally popular among younger readers and adults. White takes an inventive approach that involves animals who speak and Robin Hood! A true Arthurian classic.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2008 Naxos Rights International (P)2008 Naxos Rights International

Critic Reviews

"Jason...delivers fully developed characters with such warmth and spark that listeners are instantly transported to Sir Ector's castle." ( Publishers Weekly)

I've been waiting for this...

I've been waiting endlessly for this cherished childhood favorite to be released as an audiobook. This edition is the first section of T.H. White's epic "The Once and Future King." This part encompasses King Arthur's early years growing up under Merlin's tutelage at Sir Ector's castle. This book is more lighthearted and joyous than the sections that follow in "The Once & Future King," which are available on Audible as "The Witch in the Wood" and "The Ill-Made Knight." Although this book and the others are meant to go together as an epic work, "The Sword in the Stone" can easily stand alone as an enjoyable novel in its own right.

If I tried to tell you how superbly T.H White writes, you probably wouldn't believe me. The narrator does a smashing job of bringing the dialogue to life. I know I'll be listening to this book again and again over the years.

Sadly, at the time I'm writing this, the final section of "The Once & Future King," which covers the last years of King Arthur, is not yet released in audio format. Hopefully this will be soon be remedied!

Great! Even for adults

This was super-dooper fabulous!! Ok, I have never seen the whole animated film, so I wasn't "tainted" with the images of the film, but even if you had seen it, the narrator is going to give you a completely new view of it. He was simply wonderful, the different characters were completely brought to life. I wish he would do more "fun" narrations. The story too, oh my gosh, action packed and gets all of your emotions. I laughed out loud too many times to count. The scene with the jousters (well you'll just have to listen to it!!) Give this one a try even if you consider yourself a "serious minded adult" -trust me, you'll love it.

Wait until the full version is released

This is a great book and a great recording. I know that I'm not the only person who's been waiting what seems like a ridiculously long time for this extremely popular novel to be released on audio. However, for those who haven't read the book, I would suggest waiting until Naxos releases the full version, which is supposed to occur December 2 2008. It really is a continuous story, and you're bound to be disappointed if you have to wait months for the subsequent parts. I understand that it builds "drama" and "buzz" to release this way, but given that the entire book has been recorded, it's frustrating that we all have to wait until December to have access to the complete recording.

Ch. 13

In chapter 13, it does not correspond to the actual book which is quite upsetting. Please look into this affair.

So good I wanted more

I read this book several years ago and really loved it. I purchased it as an audiobook on a whim - think it was on sale. I am SO glad I did! Listening to it was a completely different experience, largely because the narrator was such a fine performer. Many times I laughed out loud at his verbal antics, but I was also often caught by his pathos, especially in the section where Wart grows up a bit. I had also forgotten what a lovely writer White is - some of his descriptions of the forest or of the beauty of a summer day are breathtaking. This would be a good listen for parents and children together, but is also great if your a 40ish woman who just likes a good story.

good but not The Once and Future King

It's a well done audiobook, but unfortunate it's only part of the usual bundling of "The Sword in the Stone", "The Queen of Air and Darkness/The Witch in the Wood", "The Ill-Made Knight", and "The Candle in the Wind" (and sometimes "The Book of Merlyn") as "The Once and Future King".

Like I said, it's good, but if you're expecting the bigger bundle you might be disappointed.

very enjoyable

This is an excellent, occasionally whimsical retelling of the beginning of the King Arthur legend. Outstanding narrator captures many different characters. I look forward to hearing more of the legend told from this perspective.

Just Not My Era

This book seems to be well written and the narration is excellent. I simply did not enjoy the era.

Bit of a struggle

Would you try another book from T. H. White and/or Neville Jason?

Possibly, giving the benefit of the doubt

Would you ever listen to anything by T. H. White again?

Perhaps if a different topic.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Unfortunately I found the narrators voice to be a little monotonous in this instance.

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

I had to draw myself back on some occasions from a state of eye glaze where I had stopped listening!

Most delightful story & narration EVER!

I can't say enough good things about how enjoyable this book was. The writing is imaginative and superb; the narration mesmerizing and delightful. I will listen to this again many times in the future. Can't recommend this book highly enough. Would have given it 10 stars if it had been possible.

Buy it, now!

Anyone who dismisses this as a children's story, fairy tale, or -worse - only knows the Disney cartoon... should be locked up in Galapas's dungeon & made to listen to this fine audiobook until his brains bubble.
There is a tradition of intelligent, absurdist British comedy, which - if you drew a line from Douglas Adams, back through Monty Python & the Goons, would go slap bang through the middle of T.H. White. Not just witty & erudite but laugh-out-loud funny.
Fantasy, Natural History, Science, Philosophy & observational comedy all wrapped up in a whacking good adventure yarn, stuffed with more mediaeval detail than you'd get after an evening drinking mead with an Oxford history don.
I'm going to listen to the remaining 4 books in what began as a trilogy ... now, where have I heard that before? Come back Douglas, comedy needs you. It's all just rockstar stand-ups, now, filling the O2 arena!
Beautifully read, too. Don't ever download the standard audiobook files. I paid £81 for Lord of the Rings & got something that sounds like it was recorded through Tom Bombadil's old sock! That was before Enhanced (CD) quality was available.

A great story but long winded

Got this book because of my love for the Disney film and Arthurian legend. It does not disappoint with the fantasy and descriptions being absolutely excellent.

My only problem is the lack of action and the long winded lectures that Wart received throughout the book from Merlin and various animals. I am sure some will enjoy, but I found them tedious and even skipped a few chapters to get to parts of the story I knew I would enjoy more.

But overall I recommend this highly for any lovers of Arther and Merlin and magic in general.

Story alteration

Well read for the most part although the narrator is not good at country accents.
Annoyed to find that part of the story had been changed. The boys’ adventure with the Scythian and Anthrophagi has been changed to an adventure with the enchanted castle of Morgan Le Fay and her castle made of food. Can’t imagine why this should have been done unless for political correctness.

Review

I liked the performance and it was perfectly read but the story did not interest me. The story was only interesting at the end. I was bored for most of the time and kept getting distracted because the story was not engaging. I do like the person who is reading this as he reads the story out perfectly. Note: this audio book only matches the old version of the book so if you get the book make sure to get the old version and not the modern one.

A must-read for all fans of the Disney film

I loved the Disney film so much as a child and watched it more times than I can count. There was so much more to the story and I'm so glad I finally got to find out more about the young King Arthur and his magical adventures.

I was a bit disappointed to see Morgan LeFay portrayed the way she was but Madam Mim was infinitely better in the book! So creepy and beautiful. I also really loved White's version of Maid Marion.

Overall the book was almost a 4 star read but it seemed to lose the plot completely towards the middle and took a turn for the mind numbingly boring. Definitely worth the read though for all fans of the film.

Beautifully written, if a little silly in places

I loved the style of the writing, which was richly poetic, vivid and witty. The characters are fun, often comical and always likeable. I loved King Pellinore and the Questing Beast. I found some of the transformation stories (where Merlin transforms Wart into some kind of animal), as well as a few other narrative episodes, a bit daft. Overall, a gorgeous read.