PENDRAGON

In the fourth volume of Lawhead’s Pendragon saga, Merlin (Myrdinn) narrates the story of the beginning of Arthur’s reign, his marriage to Guinevere (Gwenwhyvar) and his battles against invaders. Frederick Davidson reads with a world-weary tone, which is sometimes tiresome, but many of his vocal characterizations are skillful; his British, Irish and Scottish dialects sound true. Less successful are his women’s voices (rather high pitched) and voices for older men (too similar). His emotional coloring of the narrative is on the mark, and his maintenance of tempo is a sign of his experience as a narrator. Overall, the result is mixed, but fans of the series should find this of interest. M.A.M. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 98]