THE HOLLOW HILLS

Unlike other books about the Arthurian Legend, Mary Stewart focuses on Merlin, the wizard. Stephen Thorne does a masterful job portraying the other characters, as well. Here in the second bookof the trilogy, we hear Merlin as a youth who travels widely. Thorne captures the accents and voices of people from different countries. Later Merlin becomes tutor to Arthur as he grows into manhood. The scenes of battle, feasting and Arthur's drawing the king's sword from the stone are made vividly real. Thorne's versatility adds absorbing dimension to the trilogy. D.M.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPT 95]