GORMENGHAST

Gothic and sprawling, the ancient castle Gormenghast is the centerpiece of a kingdom cloistered in intrigue and dark rituals. Titus Groan, the kingdom’s 77th earl, and his mother and sister are the castle’s prisoners. Titus is 7 years old. So opens this second volume of Peake’s titanic and sublimely ornate Gormenghast trilogy. Narrator Rupert Degas not only reads the heightened prose with focus and energy but he also makes the entire book more easily accessible by creating distinct and memorable character voices. As Peake paints with language, Degas faithfully weaves the poetic colors, shadows, and textures. Peake was a contemporary of Tolkien and a strong influence on the young George Lucas. This abridged reading is an excellent introduction to Peake’s enduring creation of high fantasy. B.P. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2011]