THE SWORD IN THE STONE

Wizards, boys, quests, and mixed-up magic. Sound familiar? In the lull after Harry Potter, listeners can immerse themselves in the early years of King Arthur, known as a boy as the "Wart." Neville Jason's brilliant readings of Proust and Tolstoy may seem an unlikely preface to the wizard Merlin, but he's truly perfect. Jason easily takes the challenge of White's 1930s’ language combined with myriad archaic terms of heraldry and chivalry. He delivers with fluidity and enthusiasm, rarely letting the listener wander off like King Pellinore, before another joust commences. The characters—blustery knights, compassionate mentors, or the sleepy hedgehog—are each imaginatively portrayed. The sly, merry humor is fully intact. Naxos's signature music heralds breaks between stories in this abridged Junior Classics edition. Hark! Well done. R.F.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 08]