THE ACTS OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS NOBLE KNIGHTS

Steinbeck's take on the tales of King Arthur is a difficult work because he did not complete the draft before he died, giving Robert Fass the challenging task of working with the gaps in the story. Fass is most successful with the narrative, reading clearly and with energy. He's less effective with the dialogue as he attempts accents that don't ring true. His voicing of the female characters is often too nasal, venturing dangerously close to caricature, especially in his performance of the character of Guinevere. The recording includes a lengthy and worthwhile appendix, detailing Steinbeck's relationship with Malory's work on King Arthur and with his own publishers. R.F. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 08]