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Initially published nearly thirty years ago, Mary Stewart's
The Crystal Cave has been spellbinding readers and converting them into serious Arthurian buffs ever since. The first in a series of four books, this novel focuses on the early life of Merlin the magician, and the political developments of fifth-century Britain. Not for the fainthearted, this verbose text pays careful attention to historical details and methodical plot development.
Merlin's childhood is formed by the absence of his reticent, convent-bound mother and his unnamed and unknown father. As the bastard grandson of a local king, Merlin is the object of both envy and ridicule. His strange powers and predictions earn him greater status as a pariah, and he leaves home as a preadolescent. Returning years later as a young man--empowered by self-knowledge and magic--Merlin finds himself caught in the currents of the shifting kingdoms.
As an established classic in this genre, and the first in a popular series, The Crystal Cave introduces this familiar character with fresh sensitivity. While readers looking for the romance of First Knight will be disappointed, those happy with tight writing and a complex story line will be satisfied. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien
Unlike other books about the Arthurian Legend, Mary Stewart's trilogy focuses on Merlin, the wizard. Here in the first book we hear Merlin as a boy. Stephen Thorne does a masterful job portraying the characters. From the gruffness of the soldiers, to the softness of the women, all the voices ring true. In addition, the pronunciation of the place names leaves no doubt that the narrator knows Wales and Cornwall. Although the book isn't new, listening to it adds dimension and pleasure. Thorne's versatility adds absorbing dimension to the trilogy. D.M.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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