Buy: Amazon Kindle, Amazon Audible
Brother Cadfael: A BBC Radio Collection of Three Full-Cast Dramatisations
Ellis Peters’ “Brother Cadfael” series, also known as Edith Mary Pargeter, is well-known in the world of historical detective fiction. Brother Cadfael is a Welsh Benedictine monk who lives at Shrewsbury Abbey in 12th-century England. Cadfael, who spends the most of his time tending to plants and vegetables, is also skilled at investigating crimes, which are frequently intertwined with historical events.
The Audible version of these stories, narrated by Derek Jacobi in particular, has received great praise for its performance, with listeners loving Jacobi’s rendering of the stories. The stories have been regarded as mild but intelligent and intriguing, with characters who become genuine and convincing. Some Welsh listeners, however, expressed some discomfort with the mispronunciation of Welsh terms and place names. A few listeners reported minor faults with the recording’s sound quality, but this did not greatly detract from the overall experience.
The stories are described as historically rich and engaging, with well-constructed puzzles and a strong feeling of time and location by reviewers. Brother Cadfael, the primary character, is particularly popular for his charming, sardonic, and hilarious attitude. Each book in the series goes into a different locale and scenario, with typically interwoven themes of love, justice, and historical background.
Overall, the “Brother Cadfael” series has received praise for its combination of historical fiction and mystery, its accurate and vivid depiction of medieval England, and its engaging character development. The novels are suggested for individuals who enjoy historical mysteries and provide a meditative reading experience. The series has been turned into films and television programs, demonstrating its ongoing success and the attractiveness of its principal character.
