The Talisman

By: Sir Walter Scott

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The Crusaders, led by Richard I of England, are encamped in the Holy Land, and torn by the dissensions and jealousies of the leaders, including, besides Coeur de Lion himself, Philip of France, the duke of Austria, the Marquis of Montferrat, and the Grand Master of the Templars. The army's impotence is accentuated by the illness of Richard.

A poor but doughty Scottish crusader, known as Sir Kenneth or the Knight of the Leopard, on a mission far from the camp encounters a Saracen emir, with whom, after an inconclusive combat, he strikes up a friendship. This emir proves subsequently to be Saladin himself, and he presently appears in the Christian camp in the disguise of a physician sent by the Soldan to Richard, whom he quickly cures.

Meanwhile, Sir Kenneth is lured from his post by Queen Berengaria, Richard's wife, who in a frolic sends him an urgent message purporting to come from Edith Plantagenet, for whom Sir Kenneth has a romantic attachment. During his brief absence, his faithful hound is wounded and the English flag torn down. Sir Kenneth, thus dishonored, narrowly escapes execution at Richard's order by the intervention of the Moorish physician, who receives him as his slave. Kindly and honorably treated by Saladin, he is sent, in the disguise of a black mute attendant, to Richard, whom he saves from assassination. Richard pierces Kenneth's disguise and gives him the opportunity he desires of discovering who wounded the hound and tore down the standard.

As the Christian princes and their forces file past the re-erected standard, the hound springs on Conrade of Montferrat and tears him from his horse. A trial by combat is arranged in which Sir Kenneth defeats and wounds Montferrat, and is revealed to be Prince David of Scotland. The obstacle that his supposed lowly birth presented to his union with Edith Plantagenet is thus removed.

Originally published in the United States, 1929; (P)2002 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"In narrating the romance, Robert Whitfield excels at phrasing, which, accompanied by his pleasant voice and British accent, makes this...pleasant listening." (AudioFile)

Wonderful Story

I would recommend this book to everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator did a superb job as well.

Interesting chivalry story for teens

Faster paced and simpler plot than Ivanhoe. Sir Scott at its best. Reading is a bit too theatrical.

Excellent.

Loved the story as well as the reader. This is the second book by Scott that I have read (the first being Ivanhoe). The ending was expected, but happened in a surprising way.
I listened to Scaramouche read by Whitfield and enjoyed the reading so much that I immediately searched for another classic read by him.
Highly recommend.

Deservedly called a classic.

Enjoyable book. It has a lot of the tropes used in fantasy writing. Still it had its surprises. Highly recommended. The narrator was great.

the talisman (unabridged)

I'll keep this short and sweet. I was so enthralled with the reader and the story that I lost track of time in my 1 1/2 commute into Seattle. My friends are tired of me talking about it.

Very entertaining!

I tried to read this book and found it dull and difficult to get through, but I had to read it for a class. Then I found it here and I have really enjoyed it. The narration is brilliant and the book is perfectly suitable for beeing read aloud!

Adds humanity and dimension to failed crusade and King Richard

Enjoyed it. A literary vacation through time, identity, and history. Joni Mitchell seen both sides of a cloud.

A delightful listen!

"The Talisman" is a wonderful jaunt into the crusades and explores, along with the hero's adventures, the legendary rivalry and friendship of King Richard and Saladin. Scott skillfully weaves the lesser tale into the broader history, bringing to life the history and the culture of the medieval era, with all its prejudices, passions, and politics. The story itself is peak Scott - a gallant hero, a virtuous and strong heroine, and a complex web of unlucky circumstances that keeps them apart and in the end, of course, brings them together.

And I gotta say - I'm pretty sure he nailed King Richard! While the story is a little slow at first (but so entertaining that I really didn't mind), Scott captivates you once he's in the thick of it as only he can. The narration is excellent, well-paced and expressive.

Not the best story, but…

…the mellifluous prose and powerful vocabulary demands admiration by lifting the writing far above today’s limpid English. This is a chivalric romance, almost a fairy tale, but, if nothing else, the elegant delivery (verging, perhaps on the flowery) dispenses a rebuke to modern authors hoping to be men of letters. The Talisman is a vast arsenal of powerful words, both an inspiration and a reproach to those of us who would pretend to be fluent in English.

Intriguing and relevant to today

Chivalry, honor and good manners abound on both sides, who historically opposed each other due to their different religions and cultures. Refreshing for the 21st century.