THE KING'S SHADOW Obsession, Betrayal, and the Quest for the Lost City of Alexandria

Julian Elfer's pleasant British-accented voice and smooth delivery lend themselves to easy absorption of the fascinating story. A British deserter in 1820s India wanders improbably to Afghanistan, obsessed with finding lost cities founded by Alexander the Great. Part of Elfer's talent is to shift his tone subtly to fit the text. Describing foolhardy absurdities early on, he conveys gentle mockery, but when the absurdities grow crueler as Britain invades Afghanistan and treats the locals with disastrous stupidity, his tone morphs seamlessly into something more serious and sympathetic. Richardson leaves out a lot of history that would help listeners unfamiliar with the period, but the engaging aspects of what he does tell, along with Elfer's storytelling skills, result in an interesting and worthwhile audiobook. W.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2022]