• Harlequin

  • The Grail Quest, Book 1
  • By: Bernard Cornwell
  • Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
  • Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,671 ratings)

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Harlequin  By  cover art

Harlequin

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

The first book in Bernard Cornwell's best-selling 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.

©2008 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Harlequin

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Historical fiction at its finest.

Another excellent novel from Bernard Cornwell. A joy to listen to. This recording has a great narrator and story.

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Outstanding Historical Fiction

This is Bernard Cornwell at his very best blending history with fiction and telling a believable story about one of histories greatest myth's...the Holy Grail!! I cannot wait to complete Book 2!

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outstanding!

As always Bernard Cornwall brings the period to vibrant life. I truly enjoyed this fine book as well as being educated by it. CJA

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not quite like other Conwell sagas

Andrew Cullum brings a sprite attitude to one of Bernard Cornwell's Hundred Years War stories. Admittedly, I loved Agincourt, narrated by Charles Keating, despite the repetitive vulgarity. If you listened to Agincourt, don't expect quite the same, but a worthy tale nonetheless. It's an adventure.

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Excited to continue the series

I went into this book not knowing what to except, and I typically don’t listen to books of this genre but after 2 hours of listening I was hooked. I would catch myself constantly thinking about this book when I wasn’t listening to it!
This book really makes you think about how terrible of a place it was to live for some back in those times and really makes you feel what some of these characters go through. I can’t wait to get to the next 3 books in the series!

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Great story

Battles were very scary. Quite violent. Liked The characters - Thomas. And Eleanor and the priest.

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Well researched

Cornwell does his research like the best. You get a great story and know a little more history. Highly recommend all 4 books in this series!

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Excellent another great book from a great author.

Bernard does fantastic historical fiction. this particular book focuses on an English archer and his questing. The narrator was great, the range of his voice brought an additional level of immersion.

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The. Quest Begins! I can't wait for the next book.

Many storylines were set up in this Book 1 of the Grail Quest series. The best of all was Thomas and his growth from boy to man with the rigors of war. Bernard Cornwell presents historic scenes in such a way you feel like you are there and Andrew Cullum narrates with such talent that you are almost breathless and exhausted by battles end. No one does historic battles better than Bernard Cornwell.

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Amazing

Read this series 13 years ago loved it then, but had forgotten most of what was in the book. Absolutely loved listening to this book, amazing author. If you love history this is a great series.

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