9780062393760
Play Sample

Harlequin audiobook

  • By: Bernard Cornwell
  • Narrator: Andrew Cullum
  • Length: 14 hours 49 minutes
  • Publisher: HarperAudio
  • Publish date: November 25, 2014
  • Language: English
  • (1820 ratings)
(1820 ratings)
33% Cheaper than Audible
Get for $0.00
  • $9.99 per book vs $14.95 at Audible
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Listen at up to 4.5x speed
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Fall asleep to your favorite books
    Set a sleep timer while you listen
  • Unlimited listening to our Classics.
    Listen to thousands of classics for no extra cost. Ever
Loading ...
Regular Price: 29.99 USD

Harlequin Audiobook 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 Crecy.

Other Top Audiobooks

Harlequin Audiobook Narrator

Andrew Cullum is the narrator of Harlequin audiobook that was written by Bernard Cornwell

BERNARD CORNWELL is the author of over fifty novels, including the acclaimed New York Times bestselling Saxon Tales, which serve as the basis for the hit Netflix series The Last Kingdom. He lives with his wife on Cape Cod and in Charleston, South Carolina.

About the Author(s) of Harlequin

Bernard Cornwell is the author of Harlequin

Harlequin Full Details

Narrator Andrew Cullum
Length 14 hours 49 minutes
Author Bernard Cornwell
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date November 25, 2014
ISBN 9780062393760

Additional info

The publisher of the Harlequin is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062393760.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Bradley

December 25, 2021

I find myself in a funny and odd situation as I read this. I’m a big fan of epic fantasy, and yet, for some reason, I have generally ignored regular historical fiction.WHY? I DON’T KNOW.For let me put this very clearly: all the action, characterization, siege warfare, interpersonal conflicts, lords, ladies, general grunts, and the clergy are all heavily represented in BOTH genres. Indeed, both historical fiction and epic fantasies are separated ONLY by the author’s willingness to add a little magic (not even necessary in most books) or make worldbuilding that is created out of whole cloth.In this case, I’m just pointing my finger at events in here that is reminiscent, happily so, of a previous trilogy that sets up the events of the current trilogy, as if I were reading a long Epic Fantasy work, but in this case, it’s just my knowledge of England’s History. Hey now! It’s the Black Prince and the start of the Hundred Year’s War! I’m thinking of Shakespeare’s Edward II and Richard the II and all the class warfare and the heavy reliance on Long Bows to turn the tide of battles and just how F**ked the French were.And for me, it’s JUST like reading a huge, complicated Epic Fantasy.Like I said, it’s odd. Or rather, I’m odd. And I’m really liking this. It’s great Epic Fantasy, people… even if it is a meticulously researched and accurate accounting of ACTUAL HISTORY. Maybe that ought to count for something, too. :)

Stjepan

April 10, 2017

The year is 1342, the English, led by Eduard to third devastate France. Their most powerful weapons are archers with long bows who are called Harlequin. Among them is Thomas of Hookton, the French troops killed his father who is the priest in village Hookton and ravaged the village. The French have stolen relic Spear St. George that his father kept in the church. Here Thomas kills his first enemy and decides to take revenge on the French, and returns the stolen spear. Connects to the army as an archer and goes to war. The book is read in one breath and takes us through the terrible battle in which no mercy to the enemy on the battlefield. Thomas expects a lot of adventures and discovering secrets about his father. Who was not be just an ordinary village priest?

Mike (the Paladin)

November 09, 2015

I haven't gotten deeply into any series by Mr. Cornwell since I went through a lot of the Sharpe books placed in/during the Napoleonic wars. These take place as the 100 Years War is getting under way.First I'll say this....Bernard Cornwell can really lay out the bloody, cruel, reality of the time. This book isn't for anyone with a weak constitution. Be prepared for the casual cruelty of humans. Rape, pillage, rapine, casual murder....not so casual murder...revenge, "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Cowardly men. weak men. Strong men. Even Stronger men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles." Well, the giants may be a stretch and the miracles are a bit few and far between...but it's definitely sort of like a very (very) dark Princess Bride...like I said, "sort of".Okay, so it's a good book but you need to be aware that this is not a happy fantasy. It's a book about war and all the pain that goes with that, especially when it's a war fought with pointy and edged things some of sharp steel either wielded by hand or attached to a yard long shaft of wood.I plan to follow this series...though I may take a break between them to recover.Recommended.

Clemens

September 26, 2021

Read this book in 2005, and its the 1st volume of the "Thomas pf Hookton" series, from Bernard Cornwell.This book is about the Hundred Years War between King Edward III's England and France, and this tale is set in the Middle Ages, in the year AD 1342.Main protagonist of this series is Thomas of Hookton, who's an English archer (hellequin in French given to all English archers) in the army for King Edward III.When Thomas of Hookton's village is sacked by French raiders, he promises himself to retrieve the relic stolen from his village's church and so he's heading to France to enter the war and hear of the holiest of relics being, the Grail itself.What is follow is brutal warfare between England and France causing devastation, brutality and savagery, and that will end in this particular book with the gruesome and decisive Battle of Crecy.Highly recommended, for this is a superb start of this particular series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Great Hundred Years War Opening Scene"!

Kimber

June 15, 2015

My Ancient & Medieval History group constantly raves about the works of Bernard Cornwell. Harlequin, or The Archer's Tale, was my first B.C. read and I now understand the reverence and praise the group gives to Mr. Cornwell. He writes historical fiction. One of the most respectful words I can speak when referring to a writer in this genre is Realistic. Harlequin is definitely Realistic. If you like books about Kings and Courtiers, Belles and Balls, Romance and Chivalry this is NOT the book for you. Thomas of Hookton is not a knight in shining armour determined to save a damsel in distress while upholding the tenets of chivalry. Thomas is an Archer. His job is to kill, plunder, burn....and he is very good at his job. You will not love Thomas without reservation. There were times when you won't even like him. He is just a man. Yes, He made a promise to God. Yes, He has a great quest to embark on. No, he does not want to claim this destiny. Unfortunately for Thomas, sometimes life happens and in Harlequin life happens a lot.

Steven

November 19, 2018

This was a great book. It kept me turning pages throughout. It was all about the wars between the English and the French in the middle ages. It was quite a grewsome battle described in the book.This is the first of a trilogy which I recommend highly.Enjoy and Be Blessed.

Patremagne

July 14, 2015

Having been a big fan of historical fiction for as long as I can remember, I'm ashamed to admit this is my first Cornwell novel. Judging by how much I enjoyed Harlequin, it's definitely not going to be my last.Cornwell seamlessly blends historical fact and fiction and is one of the few historical fiction authors who stays as close to history as possible, but also makes these minor tweaks to it so that the story becomes, in a way, unpredictable. Sure, a quick Wikipedia search can show you whether or not the Black Prince or any other person died at Crecy, but even if you know there's still suspense in the way Cornwell weaves his words, and his depiction of the battle at Crecy was thrilling to hear. I have a huge interest in the Hundred Years' War, so it's great to hear an accurate (for the most part) account of one of the most important battles of the century-long conflict, especially in a time where it doesn't seem like a lot of modern historians are willing to write readable nonfiction on the subject.Andrew Cullum was an excellent narrator, able to pull off a large variety of characters in unique ways.

Vaelin

May 22, 2014

This was my first foray into Bernard Cornwells novel and I can easily say it will not be my last. All the reviews that praise his historical research and subsequent translation into an entertaining story are spot on! The battle scenes were gritty, foul and horrific.....not an ounce of sugar coating to be seenRecommendation for fans of medieval fantasy but don't expect any wizard to show up and save the day :)

Dana

July 18, 2021

The main theme of the book is the role of the archer, specifically the English archer – there are some Welsh archers (Pat, for example) but they have the grace to wait in the background. It seems to have been true that archers were a particularly dangerous force on the battlefield but, assuming we are not guilty of exaggerating their importance, why did other countries not seek to replicate them? Cornwell himself has no answer other than that it must have been a very difficult skill to acquire and to require very time-consuming practice and people from other countries were not up for it.Like most of Cornwell’s novels, The Archer’s Tale is an adventure of sorts, taking Thomas from the small English village of Hookton, to war-torn Brittany, Normandy, and finally Crecy. It is also filled with brilliantly crafted battle scenes, including the famous Battle of Crecy in 1346 between Edward III of England and Philip VI of France. But it is Thomas and Jeanette, along with a perfect villain in Sir Simon, who make this book one of Cornwell’s best

HBalikov

February 26, 2008

Cornwell is one of the best writer's of historical fiction. If you saw Henry V and wondered what the life of average people was all about, this book is grounded in day to day life. It is also a story about the wars of the period and what we rationalize is ok to do to our "enemy". It is a good read in itself and has two other books that carry on the story.

Vagner

October 29, 2015

Review in Portuguese from Desbravando Livros:Eu fui avisado e não tive como fugir disso: Bernard Cornwell vicia muito! Depois de ler As Crônicas Saxônicas, do mesmo autor, praticamente me senti na obrigação de ler essa série, tão bem falada pelos leitores. E ainda bem que eu não me arrependi nem um pouco, pois a escrita continua única e excepcional, digna de um best-seller.A história se passa durante a famosa Guerra dos Cem Anos, em pleno século XIV. Thomas de Hookton é um rapaz de 18 anos perito no uso do arco longo, arma mortal daquela época que dava muita vantagem aos soldados ingleses nas batalhas contra os franceses. Após ver o seu pai morrer durante um ataque-surpresa, Thomas entra para o exército inglês e é a partir desse momento que a verdadeira aventura começa.“Eles mataram. Os grandes arcos eram puxados repetidas vezes, e as flechas de penas brancas desciam o morro para perfurar cotas de malha e tecido e transformar o morro mais baixo num campo de morte.”O primeiro livro da trilogia Busca do Graal é bem realista, sangrento e as descrições das batalhas são tão boas que o leitor não consegue desgrudar o olho nem por um minuto. Mas o principal diferencial nessa história é de que o personagem principal é um arqueiro, muito diferente das milhares de histórias sobre cavaleiros que podemos encontrar nos livros.Um dos pontos que devo destacar é o ótimo detalhamento das estratégias usadas em combate, muitas vezes até mesmo fazendo o leitor antever o que irá acontecer, o que pode não ser muito bom em alguns livros, mas na escrita do Cornwell ficou muito bom! E falando um pouco mais dessa escrita, o livro é narrado em 3ª pessoa e não usa somente o ponto de vista do personagem principal Thomas. Às vezes, a narrativa alterna-se entre o arqueiro e seus companheiros, e até mesmo os inimigos têm os seus momentos narrados.“... Muitas batalhas mortais foram travadas, pessoas assassinadas, igrejas roubadas, almas destruídas, jovens e virgens defloradas, esposas e viúvas respeitáveis desonradas; cidades, mansões e prédios incendiados, e assaltos, crueldades e emboscadas cometidos nas estradas. A Justiça falhou por causa dessas coisas. A fé cristã feneceu e o comércio pereceu, e tantas maldades e coisas horrendas seguiram-se a essas guerras, que não podem ser mencionadas, contadas ou anotadas.”Como consideração final, deixo explícita aqui a minha imensa vontade de ler o segundo livro e descobrir o que o destino esta aprontando para Thomas. Cada minuto investido nesse primeiro livro foi muito bem aproveitado!Pontos fortes: para quem gosta de Idade Média, é um prato e tanto!Pontos fracos: não é um livro de leitura rápida, pois as cenas são bem detalhadas e alguns leitores podem perder-se um pouco se não aproveitarem a leitura calmamente.

Učitaj se!

October 02, 2015

Povijesna trilogija Bernarda Cornwella prati Thomasa od Hooktona, fikcionalnog lika engleskog strijelca, kroz neke od prvih bitaka između engleske i francuske vojske, za koje se kasnije ispostavilo da su bile samo uvod u ono što će postupno prerasti u Stogodišnji rat između ovih dviju zemalja.Radnja je napeta, ne samo zbog toga što Thomas iz jedne bitke ulazi ravno u drugu, već i zbog toga što on usput slijedi i put svoje zakletve i svako malo doznaje nešto novo i neočekivano u vezi Harlekina i ukradene relikvije, zbog čega često upada u sukobe i izvan bojišta. Glavnina romana fokusirana je na nekolicinu glavnih likova, koji su sjajno okarakterizirani, ali jednako dobra karakterizacija odlikuje i one sporedne likove, pa čak i one koji se tek par puta pojave u čitavom tijeku radnje.Same bitke, kao i sve ono što im prethodi i što slijedi nakon njih, opisano je u svoj svojoj surovosti i realnosti: sve one pljačke, ubojstva, gramzivost i spremnost na najgroznija djela kako bi se u ratu profitiralo ili proslavilo Cornwell se ne gnuša prikazati baš onako kako jest, a to (ponekad) nije nimalo lijepo za vidjeti. Kako sam autor kaže, namjerno je rat tako prikazao, kako bi čitatelji mogli vidjeti da rat nisu samo bitke dvaju suprotstavljenih vojski, već on uključuje i masakr nevinih građana - staraca, žena i djece, i često posve nepotrebne okrutnosti.Iako pri opisivanju ratnih pohoda autor ne pristaje ni uz jednu suprotstavljenu stranu, već nam priču priča potpuno objektivno, za ovu bi se trilogiju moglo reći da je ona u biti oda engleskim strijelcima. Činjenica je da je Engleska mnoge svoje bitke uspjela izvojevati upravo zaslugom svojih strijelaca, koji su u povijesti postali poznati po svojim iznimno dugačkim lukovima, kakve nije upotrebljavala niti jedna druga vojska. Ti su lukovi često u fokusu ovih romana i autor se ne libi iskazati i vlastito divljenje strijelcima koji su ih rabili, a koji su bili u stanju izboriti pobjedu čak i protiv osjetno brojnijeg neprijatelja. Posebno je zanimljivo to što je upravo jednog engleskog strijelca Cornwell postavio u ulogu glavnog protagonista, zbog čega smo dobili priliku iz prve ruke vidjeti koju su ulogu strijelci imali u engleskoj vojsci i zbog čega su bili tako važni.Ako uživate u čitanju povijesnih romana, ova se trilogija svakako mora naći na vašoj listi za čitanje. Čitajući, puno toga ćete doznati što možda još niste znali o razdoblju Stogodišnjeg rata, posebno o ulozi engleskih strijelaca u njemu, a malo mitologije vezane uz Gral ovdje je da napetost održi cijelo vrijeme na visokom nivou. Tijekom čitanja ove 2/3 trilogije bilo mi je teško knjige ispustiti iz ruku, te jedva čekam da se prevede i posljednja trećina. Skupna recenzija prve dvije knjige trilogije o Gralu je na FB stranici.

Frequently asked questions

Listening to audiobooks not only easy, it is also very convenient. You can listen to audiobooks on almost every device. From your laptop to your smart phone or even a smart speaker like Apple HomePod or even Alexa. Here’s how you can get started listening to audiobooks.

  • 1. Download your favorite audiobook app such as Speechify.
  • 2. Sign up for an account.
  • 3. Browse the library for the best audiobooks and select the first one for free
  • 4. Download the audiobook file to your device
  • 5. Open the Speechify audiobook app and select the audiobook you want to listen to.
  • 6. Adjust the playback speed and other settings to your preference.
  • 7. Press play and enjoy!

While you can listen to the bestsellers on almost any device, and preferences may vary, generally smart phones are offer the most convenience factor. You could be working out, grocery shopping, or even watching your dog in the dog park on a Saturday morning.
However, most audiobook apps work across multiple devices so you can pick up that riveting new Stephen King book you started at the dog park, back on your laptop when you get back home.

Speechify is one of the best apps for audiobooks. The pricing structure is the most competitive in the market and the app is easy to use. It features the best sellers and award winning authors. Listen to your favorite books or discover new ones and listen to real voice actors read to you. Getting started is easy, the first book is free.

Research showcasing the brain health benefits of reading on a regular basis is wide-ranging and undeniable. However, research comparing the benefits of reading vs listening is much more sparse. According to professor of psychology and author Dr. Kristen Willeumier, though, there is good reason to believe that the reading experience provided by audiobooks offers many of the same brain benefits as reading a physical book.

Audiobooks are recordings of books that are read aloud by a professional voice actor. The recordings are typically available for purchase and download in digital formats such as MP3, WMA, or AAC. They can also be streamed from online services like Speechify, Audible, AppleBooks, or Spotify.
You simply download the app onto your smart phone, create your account, and in Speechify, you can choose your first book, from our vast library of best-sellers and classics, to read for free.

Audiobooks, like real books can add up over time. Here’s where you can listen to audiobooks for free. Speechify let’s you read your first best seller for free. Apart from that, we have a vast selection of free audiobooks that you can enjoy. Get the same rich experience no matter if the book was free or not.

It depends. Yes, there are free audiobooks and paid audiobooks. Speechify offers a blend of both!

It varies. The easiest way depends on a few things. The app and service you use, which device, and platform. Speechify is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks. Downloading the app is quick. It is not a large app and does not eat up space on your iPhone or Android device.
Listening to audiobooks on your smart phone, with Speechify, is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks.

footer-waves