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Title: The Isle of Glass
Author: Judith Tarr
Narrator: James Patrick Cronin
Format: Unabridged
Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-19-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 20 votes
Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary
Publisher's Summary:
Alfred of St. Ruan's has lived his life in the seclusion of the monastery. But a badly wounded knight on a mission from the Elvenking, a beautiful and mysterious stranger who walks as both woman and beast, and a warrior king call him out of the cloister's walls into the wars and storms of the world. For he is neither mortal nor human, though he has long tried to live as both; and he can deny neither his nature nor his powerful magic.
Editorial Reviews:
James Patrick Cronins grand, larger-than-life performance perfectly captures the spirit and breadth of this ambitious blend of mythology, historical fiction, and fantasy, the first installment of Judith Tarrs Crusade-set The Hound and the Falcon series, which introduces us to Alfred of St. Ruan, a pious monk turned mighty elven warrior who embarks on a heroic journey to battle the nefarious Hounds of God, the catholic order set on exterminating all magic creatures from the Earthly world.
Members Reviews:
Historically credible medieval fantasy
3 stars, leaning towards 4. Tarr's linguistic and medieval expertise is evident in her trilogy THE HOUND AND THE FALCON, beginning with this clever book. Told in 3rd person, this is a thoughtful and historically credible (Fair Folk notwithstanding) political fantasy set during the time of the Crusades and King Richard the Lionhearted. The Knights Templar get a mention, too.
It took me a while to become engrossed, with several false starts, but eventually I was hooked. A plot to weaken and overthrow the king of Anglia. A zealous religious order (the Pauline Order) similar to the Spanish Inquisition (interesting take on Brother Adam). A strong bond of friendship. A budding romance. A nuanced view of King Richard. And of the church.
Slow moving, but some frightful action scenes, some heartwarming scenes, some witty dialogue, some profound moments.
Lots of likable characters here, including some solid secondary characters (Abbot Morwin, Jehan, Thea, etc.). Some church clerics are quite villainous but others are kind and heroic. Credible. I sensed no overt bias in the writer.
My heart went out to Alf (Alfred, a brother of the Order of Jerome) for the inner struggles he had to endure (sometimes I grew impatient with him I wanted him to fight back and feel no regrets) but he comes out on the other side, stronger and more at peace within his own fair skin. He's happier. And well-loved by anyone with sense, given his own capacity to love and understand and forgive.
There is a surprisingly upbeat Christian message relating to the soul and the creator, but this book didn't feel like it was written to appeal to Christians, per se, given the tolerance towards homosexuality.
Setting: England, about 1200. The title, Isle of Glass (aka Ynys Witrin) is known today as the city of Glastonbury. It is south of Bristol, and not really an island. Rather, from what I can gather, it is high ground surrounded by marshes and mists, making it look sometimes like an island from the high Tor above. The Marches are also key to the book, apparently they are the old borderlands between Anglia (England) and Wales. Lots of Old English, Old French, and Celtic / Welch names in this book.
Narration is fine but it doesn't add anything to the experience.
Such a shame :(
Would you consider the audio edition of The Isle of Glass to be better than the print version?
No - It is such a shame that they have chosen this narrator.
