An Original Story from a legend?

Bernard Cornwell has taken what has to be one of the best known, most loved legends of Britain and rewritten it from beginning to end. All of our best loved characters are there. The great love stories and great betrayals are all here but none of them as we have heard them before. Each character within the bounds of our expectations but never in exactly the way the songs have been sung. There is nothing that disappoints. The legend takes on flesh and shines with new threads. Even the end, while some might claim leaves the story unresolved, is completely satisfying. Cornwell is amazing, in this series more than any other, he truly earns the highest title as author, historian, and writer of our legends. Is there a Talisan award? Has he been knighted? This has to be the crowning glory of his career and life!

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A literal masterpiece

I’ve been listening to audiobooks daily for over a decade, and none have moved me anywhere near as this. Simply incredible. Mr. Keeble’s narration is second to none. Bravo.

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A Perfect Trilogy

I've traveled throughout all 7 continents, jumped off a bridge and leaped from a plane, lived with a Shaman and surfed a 25 foot wave, thrown my fist at a man twice my age, and I've spent the past 54 hours with King Arthur in 6th Century Britain. What a fascinating adventure.
Excalibur is a superb story written with supreme grace. This entire trilogy is a perfect vacation for the mind, especially for those minds that enjoy historical fact mixed with a touch of mystery and magic.
Jonathan Keeble sets the bar for audio book narration—his performance is quite simply brilliant.

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Did not want it to end.

What did you love best about Excalibur?

The feeling of being there with Derfel thru the 3 novels and feeling his joy, sadness and anger.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hard to say which has been my favorite throughout, but I would have to stick with Merlin. I enjoyed his portrayal throughout the series.

What does Jonathan Keeble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brought so many of these characters to life, giving each one a distinct feel. The emotion, contempt, anger and sadness he voiced game so much more meaning than if I would've been reading off the pages.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, definitely it was that engaging throughout the entire series, but also no as I did not want it to end.

Any additional comments?

I'd recommend this series to anyone who has been looking for something to broaden their perspective of the Arthurian legend. Obviously, one should begin with "The Winter King" and stick with it until the bitter end.

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Excellence!

It doesn't get any better than this. This book, as well as it's two predecessors, represent literary excellence. Enjoy!

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Warning: Cornwell will burn through your credits!

Would you consider the audio edition of Excalibur to be better than the print version?

Absolutely! Jonathan Keeble's rich voice is so expressive that it's impossible for me to read the printed versions without his voice in my head. The magical metaphors and similes would lose their cadence and the phrases repeated throughout the books like "it's hard to stand in a shield wall" would be lost in the reading but verbally, provide a backdrop like a slow drumbeat. I've just finished all of the Saxon Chronicles and the Arthur series in about two months so I'm going to be a bit lost without Keeble in my ear.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I did love the main character, Derfel, and his honesty about his code, his faith and his flaws. He was such a believable character that makes you uncomfortable as he reveals his whole self. The other characters are fleshed out over the course of the series and you develop a love/hate relationship with Guinevere and then there are other characters that you start out embracing end up like those friends from your past that you have to let go because of who they have become, but you still have fond memories of yesteryear.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the magic which looked eerily similar to dumb luck so you are constantly left wondering...though you just have to believe in Merlin's magic.

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Surprise surprise

Absolutely fantastic. Cornwell does it again. His battle scenes and character development are second to none.

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A Brilliant Series

If one is interested in the Arthurian legend as told by hypothesized eye witness. This is the series. Masterful story-telling, both by the author Bernard Cornwell and by the voice actor Jonathan Keeble, bring the story alive. Start with "The Winter King." Yes, the battle scenes are brutal, but the story around them is one of the best I've read, ranking with "The Song of Fire and Ice" series by Martin.

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No Epilogue!? I need more!!!

Any additional comments?

This trilogy is reportedly the personal favorite of Cornwell. Deservingly so! It is so masterfully written and performed that you are sucked into post-Roman Britain. By the end I was desperately hoping for an epilogue or a flash-forward to learn Dervel's fate!

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Keeble embodies Dervel (sp?)

see headline. a voice well suited for the character, and a subtle, vivid performance.
splendid. which is odd, really, because he is even better suited as uhtred of bebenburg

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