The Dragonbone Chair cover art

The Dragonbone Chair

Memory, Sorrow & Thorn, Book 1

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The Dragonbone Chair

By: Tad Williams
Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
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About this listen

The beloved first novel in Tad Williams' classic fantasy series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.

Kitchen-boy Simon is bored, restless and 14 years old - a dangerous combination. It seems, however, that his life has just taken a turn for the better when he's apprenticed to his castle's resident wizard. As Simon's learning to read and write under Doctor Morgenes' tutelage, forces greater than he could possible imagine are gathering: forces which will change Simon's life - and his world - forever.

Following the death of Good King John, Osten Ard is plunged into civil war as his sons battle for control of the fabled Dragonbone Chair - the country's throne as well as the symbol of its power. Simon is forced to flee the only home he has ever known, a journey which will test him beyond his worst nightmares.

With The Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams introduced readers to the incredible fantasy world of Osten Ard and kicked off the beloved, internationally best-selling series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.

©1988 Robert Paul ‘Tad’ Williams, published by permission of DAW Books (P)2015 Hodder & Stoughton Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction
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If only this story had a better narrator. I've read these books and decided to listen to the audible version. Dumb mistake. Read the book and you will love it. Listen to it and you will want to rio your ears off. 😳

Boring narrator

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I've been listening to audio books for many years and have found myself a hard man to please now. Struggling to find audio books as good as Robert Jordans Wheel of time or Lord of the Rings, or the Black Company. This was excellent. a very good story, and an excellent narrator. I highly recommend it.

excellent presentation

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this is a great book and purly brilliant narration. happy recommend this book to anyone

excellent

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What did you like best about The Dragonbone Chair? What did you like least?

Not the main character

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Binabick

What about Andrew Wincott’s performance did you like?

Good

Could you see The Dragonbone Chair being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

?

Any additional comments?

I don't know what Simon brings to the story, he does nothing but complain and winge. He is a very weak character and drives me mad.

Simon drives me mad

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it's a hefty tome, give it a chance and listen thug. it is v rewarding

it's big, so give it time

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I liked the whole thing, great narration and story. Binabik I had forgotten - great characters. I read it long ago and love hearing it!

Beautiful story,

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What did you like most about The Dragonbone Chair?

A classic from my childhood I have read the paperbacks again and again. This is a classic fantasy tale, one I have thoroughly enjoyed every time I have visited it. The audiobook adds an extra dimension and the performance by Andrew Wincott helped bring this story to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Simon is and always will be my favourite character in this book. The daydreaming youth who has responsibilities thrust upon him. Its a character I can relate to and sympathize with.

Which character – as performed by Andrew Wincott – was your favourite?

A tough question, I felt he did such a great job with them all. I did rather enjoy his portrayal of Duke Isgrimnir the gruff old duke from the north.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were definately moments when i laughed whilst listening to this story, but mostly it just swept me back into my childhood memories of reading this, with the delightful surprise of experiencing someone else's vision for how the characters sounded.

Nostalgia and Surprise

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very very slow start. finished with a bang and a cliff hanger. enjoyed the voicing and accents.

slow start strong finish

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I loved this book when I was younger and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting it as an audio book. How does the narrator keep track of all the different voices! He does a really good job of flagging the different groups with different accents.

Excellent narration!

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The storyline is very enjoyable and the voiceover work is great, there’s not a very good transition between characters and can get confusing and the book is a little slow to start but it’s quite enjoyable once it does

Great, very descriptive

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