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  • Harlequin

  • The Grail Quest, Book 1
  • By: Bernard Cornwell
  • Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
  • Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (117 ratings)

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Harlequin

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
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Publisher's Summary

The first book in Bernard Cornwell's bestselling Grail Quest series, in a bright and bold repackage.

The year is 1342. The English, led by Edward III, are laying waste to the French countryside. The army may be led by the King, but it is the archers, the common men, who are England's secret weapon. The French know them as Harlequins.

Thomas of Hookton is one of these archers. But he is also on a personal mission: To avenge his father's death and retrieve a stolen relic. Thomas begins a quest that will lead him through fields smeared with the smoke of fires set by the rampaging English, until at last the two armies face each other on a hillside near the village of Crécy.

©2000 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"Crackling with good deeds, fine characters and sparkling set pieces, it confirms yet again Cornwell's reputation for masterly historical novels" ( Daily Mail)
"It is all spectacular, rattling good stuff: war and torture; love, lust and loss" ( The Times)
"The battle scenes, as always, are masterful; and the vignettes of everyday living, in times of extreme hardship, have the ring of simple truth" ( Sunday Telegraph)
"A very fine writer" ( Economist)

What listeners say about Harlequin

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Give it a miss

Usually a book has a hero or heroine. I was up to chapter 10, and waiting for either to appear, but nothing. The story takes you to the opposite side of goodies, this is the story of the baddies. They rape, pillage, murder, and steal. It is not a book that you can look forward to at the end of the day, or read before sleeping. For this reason I chose to stop reading, so therefore, I must admit that to be fair to the author, I erg readers who buy this book to try and finish it. It was not what I wanted.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

pathetic narration

why the narrator of the first 4 books was changed out for this new one is a mistake...i couldn't get past the first chapter.
The new narrator is horrid to listen to and ruined the story. I was thoroughly enjoying this series and listened to the first 4 books within 2 weeks...but it seems i won't be finishing the series.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A GREAT READ

Cornwall at his best!. The story is action packed and enthralling.The narrationwas very good also.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Quality story telling, quality historical accuracy

Compared to the Last Kingdom series, it doesn’t quite feel as capturing yet. The main characters don’t feel as exciting but maybe further into the series the character development will increase. The novel is close to historical accuracy so it’s a credit to all of Cornwells books how he can weave an enthralling storyline into actual events. Maybe this period of history doesn’t grab me and so I’m left a little disappointed/flat. Definitely moving onto book 2 still. Narration was sub par but there is just enough emotion in his voice to keep me interested. Not B.C’s best, but definitely still think it’s worth the read.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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A great start to the series

War, women and wounds expertly woven around historical events which seems the specialism at which Bernard Cornwall excels. This book culminates at Crecy. I'm looking forward to embarking on the second leg of this journey with our main character l, Thomas.

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Excellent historical novel well narrated

Imparts a thorough experience as if the author almost lived the experience with along with a hint of national pride weaved into the experience

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