King of Shadows Audiobook By Susan Cooper cover art

King of Shadows

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

King of Shadows

By: Susan Cooper
Narrated by: Jim Dale
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $13.50

Buy for $13.50

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Only in the world of the theater can Nat Field find an escape from the tragedies that have shadowed his young life. So he is thrilled when he is chosen to join an American drama troupe traveling to London to perform A Midsummer Night's Dream in a new replica of the famous Globe theater.

Shortly after arriving in England, Nat goes to bed ill and awakens transported back in time 400 years - to another London, and another production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Amid the bustle and excitement of an Elizabethan theatrical production, Nat finds the warm, nurturing father figure missing from his life - in none other than William Shakespeare himself. Does Nat have to remain trapped in the past forever, or give up the friendship he's so longed for in his own time?

©2013 Susan Cooper (P)2013 Listening Library
Fantasy Fantasy & Magic Fiction Historical Fiction Theater England Renaissance Shakespeare
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about King of Shadows

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    40
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    39
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Shakespeare made human

In this book Nat fields needs an actor to care about him. So God sends him back to spend time with his favorite play right Shakespeare. Susan does a great job with this story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If you're reading this, go read this book instead

Unfortunately, the summary says this book is for grades 4 -- 7. It's been many years since I was that young, and I love the book. If you've ever lost someone you loved, and struggled with the loss, read King of Shadows. Don't let the Shakespearean play throw you: that's only the framework for the real story. Jim Dale's southern accent isn't his best, but hey, it's Jim Dale, so it doesn't matter. I've read almost all of Susan Cooper's books and enjoyed them all, but I like this best.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Time travel and The Bard

I love this book. The story has fun twists and turns, and it's read by Jim Dale! One of the best voice actors ever! I highly recommend this book! Aimed at abouti middle school level but as an adult I enjoy it so much! Have fun!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Wonderful Story Brought to Life by Jim Dale

Where does King of Shadows rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10

Have you listened to any of Jim Dale’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I initially chose this book because it was read by Jim Dale. He absolutely brought the book to life! He took a wonderful story, and elevated it! I can't wait to listen to it again!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I enjoy listening to audio books while driving to and from work. I actually sat in from of my home for half an hour, because I couldn't turn if off.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Odd choice of reader

This novel is mostly narrated by an American teenager from the South. It's therefore strange to give the job of reading it to Jim Dale, an elderly Englishman. Dale is normally a great reader, but listening to his extremely unconvincing Southern accent for 5 hours was cruel and unusual punishment. The story itself is pleasant enough, but I never stopped being irritated.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I couldn't finish this book

I really enjoy Susan Cooper books, but the narrator was horrible. I only made it to the third chapter.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!