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The Once and Future King

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The Once and Future King

By: T. H. White
Narrated by: Neville Jason
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About this listen

The complete "box set" of T. H. White's epic fantasy novel of the Arthurian legend. The novel is made up of five parts: "The Sword in the Stone", "The Witch in the Wood", "The Ill-Made Knight", "The Candle in the Wind", and "The Book of Merlyn".

Merlyn instructs the Wart (Arthur) and his brother, Sir Kay, in the ways of the world. One of them will need it: the king has died, leaving no heir, and a rightful one must be found by pulling a sword from an anvil resting on a stone. In the second and third parts of the novel, Arthur has become king and the kingdom is threatened from the north. In the final two books, the ageing king faces his greatest challenge, when his own son threatens to overthrow him. In "The Book of Merlyn", Arthur's tutor Merlyn reappears and teaches him that, even in the face of apparent ruin, there is hope.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©1939, 1940, 1958 T. H. White (P)2008 Naxos Audiobooks European Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy World Literature Classics Fantasy Royalty Arthurian

Critic Reviews

AudioFile Earphones Award, 2009

"For those who have never read these five books, prepare to be surprised by their adultness, their laugh-out-loud humor and tongue-in-cheek commentary on modern life; for those who know them well, prepare to be delighted with Neville Jason's transcendent reading. The lovely timbre of his narrative voice, his rhythmic, easy pacing and host of individual characterizations transport listeners into White's weird and wonderful otherworld as quickly as Alice slipped through the looking glass. This long production is so entrancing that one wishes it would never end." (AudioFile)

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I'd read The Sword in the Stone many years ago and loved it. The narrator does it full justice in this recording. The following parts are very different in tone, not just from Book 1, but from each other, and that makes it a rather odd listening experience. The quality and clarity of the writing varies considerably; sometimes it is lyrical, at other times it seems like repetitive and overblown nonsense. The account of the death of the unicorn in Book 2 is one of the most disturbing but superbly written things I have read. The narrator does an excellent job throughout.

Superb narration, book excellent in parts.

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I first read TH White's masterpiece, in part, as a school child and later read it, in part, to my own children 30 years ago. I read and re-read Books 1 through 4 in my early adult years and loved it, without fully understanding all of the greater themes, or some of the references (as a 13 year old in Dallas, I would not have known who Bradman was, yet I know I understood White's meaning in the explanation of perfecting a skill). Those first readings inspired me to explore, travel, research and write, myself. I do not exaggerate in saying that this book helped shape my life. Echoes of Morgause's cruel mothering probably influenced the way I mothered my own children.
I had never previously read Book 5 and had not heard an audio version of The Once and Future King, until now.
I have just celebrated my 70th birthday - listening to this book now, with so much more understanding and experience of life, has inspired me and moved me again. White was a very flawed man (I researched him, too) but a gifted and erudite writer.
The narration is excellent, with appropriate variety and intonation. I will seek out more books narrated by Neville Jason.
This work is much more than a fantasy or folk tale - ultimately, it is a tragedy and the most tragic part is in the accuracy of White's observations about homo stupidus/ferox/impoliticus ... nothing has changed, really. But he gives us that image of the candle in the wind....
I sincerely recommend this book.

A classic

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This is a classic book loved by children and adults for many years. I wish that I had discovered it as a child I would have loved it.

A Classic

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And a good one.
This story is an amazing one and the narration is great. Thanks for the experience

T.H white is a classic writer.

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I have always loved this book. the moral message and the simplicity. the narration is fantastic. truly adds to the spirit.

the story and the narration

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I quite liked The Sword in the Stone part, but found the remaining half a bit boring. There was a little too much incoherent rambling for my liking. The 1981 film, Excalibur, is far superior. Just watch that instead.

Lost me in the second half

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T.H. White deserves his reputation as one of England's greatest modern novelists! This redering of the grand Arthurian legend is epic. White in telling the enthralling account covers a multitude of philosophical issues still pertinent. The broad array of topics makes this book a mixture of simple enjoyment and opportunity for paradigm altering thought.
highly recommend to any lovers of classical literature, history, deep thought, or Arthur the once and future king.
The narrator also deserves credit in his wonderful renditions in a diverse array of accents which bring the story to life.

magnificent classic worth the renown

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I don't understand what this book is trying to be. If it is supposed to be funny , I must have missed the humour. It certainly isn't a historical treatment of the myth. It isn't an adventure as far as I can see. I rarely give up on a book but I just got so bored waiting for some sort of consistent story thread. I cannot recommend it at all.

Just odd. I just don't get it.

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