Finding Camlann

By: Sean Pidgeon

Narrated by: Rachel Egan

An ancient poem and a mysterious burial inspire an enthralling historical and literary quest. Despite the wealth of scholarship that pretends to offer proof, archaeologist Donald Gladstone knows there is no solid evidence that a real King Arthur ever existed. Still, the great popular tales spun by medieval historian Geoffrey of Monmouth, and embroidered by Chrtien de Troyes, Sir Thomas Malory, and so many others, must have found their inspiration somewhere. A dramatic archaeological find at Stonehenge and the rediscovery of an old Welsh battle poem, buried among the manuscripts of the Bodleian Library, open up enticing - and misleading - new possibilities. When the beguiling Julia Llewellyn, a linguist working on the Oxford English Dictionary, joins Donald on the trail of clues, their fervent enthusiasms, unusual gifts, and unfulfilled yearnings prove a combustible mix. Their impassioned search for truths buried deep in the past, amid the secret places and half-forgotten legends of the British countryside, must ultimately transform them - and all our understandings of the origins of Arthur. An intellectual and emotional journey of myriad pleasures, Finding Camlann is at its heart a love story - not only of romantic love but also the love between parents and grown children; the intense feelings of professors and students; the love of language, place, and home; and the thrill of scholarly research and detective work. Throughout, Sean Pidgeon’s lyrical prose brings together history, myth, and dream, sweeping the reader into the mysteries of the past and the pure delight of storytelling.

©2013 Sean Pidgeon (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Hard to Listen To

The story is good enough, but the narrator reads it in one voice and tone and ruins it. I very much dislike leaving negative reviews, but I couldn’t get past the downfalls of this audiobook. She reads it all in one voice making it very hard to discern who is speaking and when the narrator changes. The story is told from the perspective of the two main characters and at times is changes in the middle of a chapter. When it is read all in one tone it makes it difficult to keep track of what is going on. Also there are excerpts from poems or dreams that when read are in italics but it takes a second to register this when listening because the narrator never changes her voice or tone. I had to stop listening and switch to reading because I was so frustrated with trying to track who was talking and that the tone didn’t seem to match what was being said.

Insight into world of scholars

Pleasant reading voice. Interesting look into scholars. Vivid imagery that will linger like real memories.

Gorgeous

Very very special. Detailed and informative; a fascinating story. I couldn’t stop listening. Highly recommended