Book description
Finn Longman's "The Wolf and His King" transforms Marie de France's medieval werewolf tale into something remarkably fresh. This audiobook succeeds brilliantly at what Longman does best: taking ancient stories and making them feel urgently contemporary without losing their historical soul.
The narrative follows Bisclavret, a knight struggling with his lycanthropy while trying to maintain his place in a rigid feudal society. What makes this retelling exceptional is how it handles the relationship between Bisclavret and the young king. Longman crafts their connection with careful attention to both characters' isolation-the king lonely on his throne, Bisclavret isolated by his condition. Their growing bond feels earned rather than rushed, developing naturally through shared moments of vulnerability and duty.
The author's background in medieval literature shows in the authentic period details, but never overwhelms the story. Instead, Longman uses historical elements to enhance emotional truths about identity, loyalty, and acceptance. The audiobook format works particularly well here, allowing listeners to experience the internal struggles of both characters through nuanced vocal performances that capture the tension between public duty and private desire.
What sets this apart from other fantasy retellings is its refusal to shy away from the political implications of Bisclavret's situation. His position as both knight and monster creates genuine conflict with the kingdom's power structures, making his relationship with the king feel both romantic and dangerous. The supernatural elements serve the story rather than overshadowing it, creating stakes that matter for both personal and political reasons.
Longman's academic expertise in friendship and affection from medieval literature translates beautifully into Bisclavret and the king's relationship. Their connection builds slowly, grounded in mutual respect and growing understanding rather than instant attraction. This approach makes their eventual intimacy more satisfying and their separation more heartbreaking.
The audiobook excels at maintaining tension between the personal and political narratives. While Bisclavret deals with his transformation and the king navigates court politics, external threats to the kingdom create additional pressure. The pacing keeps multiple storylines moving forward without sacrificing character development or emotional depth.
Listeners familiar with medieval literature will appreciate the respectful treatment of the source material, while those new to the genre will find this an excellent entry point. Longman manages to be both scholarly and accessible, creating something that works as entertainment while maintaining literary merit. The result is a queer retelling that feels both historically grounded and thoroughly modern, proving that old stories can still surprise us when told by the right voice.
Blue Despair
A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
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Bitmap
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience