I have turned the last page of my paperback book and heard the music chiming claiming the last dulcet sounds of Ralph Lister's voice as the audiobook comes to a close and what an amazing and fascinating journey that was!

I will not tell you the story's summary for how could I? It is not something to summarize with ease, especially as I find myself unable to do so with any fluidity or veracity. I am not a Christian, nor do I have a Classicist background, nor much do I know of Latin or even the story of Prester John. But I can tell you that this story has piqued my interest and I want to go searching up more before I can get my grubby little paws on the second volume, The Folded World.

What I can tell you is that I started this trek with the audiobook and realized that I just could not follow it proficiently. I was losing chapters, characters, unable to process what was being said. I am not much of an audiobook listener so this was a little test I set for myself and I found myself ultimately failing at it. I went out and bought the paperback. With the paperback sitting in front of my eyes and starting at the beginning once more I found myself immersed in the story as I never could have been with only my hearing engaged. I must profess that I am far too much of a visual learner that if I don't already know the story I have a hard time following it. I also think that if you are not even a little familiar with this book you, too, might have difficulties with the audio version.

The main thing to realize is that the chapters are divided into three parts as Hiob von Luzern follows three separate stories that become more and more intertwined: The World in the Quince (Prester John), The Book of the Fountain (following the story of Hagia, who became Prester John's wife), and The Scarlet Nursery (Imtithal's tale as a nursemaid to a young prince and two princesses) with asides from Hiob as he meticulously copies the books he plucked from that miraculous apple tree.

Once I had the story lines set out for me I followed easily enough the audiobook and I must admit that at first I was a little wary of Ralph Lister (this could be due in part to my general reticence for audiobooks) but his was the voice of this story and I find myself increasingly looking forward to his unique interpretations of each character that graced the books pages in audio format. I found I enjoyed his deep, smooth voice and I almost feel it necessary to continue on in this format for the next book; I found myself enjoying and savoring the slow pace set for me. I admit that I am very much a speed reader and if I like a book I will zip through it in a day or less but because I had to set aside time to listen to the audiobook while following along in my own paperback version it took far more time to finish but also gave me the leisure to wonder where this tale would go, how would the characters interact, what would happen next?? And I admit that was a very nice feeling and quite relaxing at the same time.

I very much liked this book, even if I am still missing some of the historical background on this piece, but it was not enough of a hindrance that I feel left out at all. And, actually, I'm already itching for the tale to continue and am anticipating picking up the new book - and audiobook as well for I fear that I will be hearing Mr. Lister's voice in my head whether or not I have the audiobook so I might as well pick that up, too, and continue this journey forward one slow page at a time.