Arthur

These two books, filled with Celtic mysticism, take us back to the sixth century. The first follows Merlin, or "Myrddin" as he's called, from tribal bard to wise prophet and king-maker. Arthur takes place 15 years later when Arthur pulls the sword out of the stone and prepares to lead the army of petty chieftains who must unite to drive out the invading Saecsons. This is a much simpler society than that described by Malory in the fifteenth century. There's no romance, no chivalry, no glamorous Camelot, no fellowship of noble knights riding out on quests. Nevertheless, despite the rough existence of Arthur's warriors and despite the brutal battles they must fight constantly to drive out the Saecsons and the Picts, these Celtic people show surprising civility in the way they live together. In fact, this early Arthur seems even nobler than Malory's Arthur, "Myrddin" even wiser than Merlin. And the stories, alive with the mystery and magic of the "fair folk," cannot easily be forgotten, nor can the superb narration of Frederick Davidson as he captures the voices of hundreds of characters. His storytelling becomes as magical as the stories told around the fire by ancient bards. Merlin himself could do no better. J.C. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine