The Outlaw of Torn


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(4.6 stars; 459 reviews)

The story is set in 13th century England and concerns the fictitious outlaw Norman of Torn, who purportedly harried the country during the power struggle between King Henry III and Simon de Montfort. Norman is the supposed son of the Frenchman de Vac, once the king's fencing master, who has a grudge against his former employer and raises the boy to be a simple, brutal killing machine with a hatred of all things English. His intentions are partially subverted by a priest who befriends Norman and teaches him his letters and chivalry towards women.

Otherwise, all goes according to plan. By 17, Norman is the best swordsman in all of England; by the age of 18, he has a large bounty on his head, and by the age of 19, he leads the largest band of thieves in all of England. None can catch or best him. In his hatred for the king he even becomes involved in the civil war, which turns the tide in favor of de Montfort. In another guise, that of Roger de Conde, he becomes involved with de Montfort's daughter Bertrade, defending her against her and her father's enemies. She notes in him a curious resemblance to the king's son and heir Prince Edward.

Finally brought to bay in a confrontation with both King Henry and de Montfort, Norman is brought down by the treachery of de Vac, who appears to kill him, though at the cost of his own life. As de Vac dies, he reveals that Norman is in fact Richard, long-lost son of King Henry and Queen Eleanor and brother to Prince Edward. The fencing master had kidnapped the prince as a child to serve as the vehicle of his vengeance against the king. Luckily, Norman/Richard turns out not to be truly dead, surviving to be reconciled to his true father and attain the hand of Bertrade (Summary by Wikipedia) (6 hr 59 min)

Chapters

01 - Chapter 1 9:05 Read by Susan Umpleby
02 - Chapter 2 6:57 Read by Susan Umpleby
03 - Chapter 3 18:27 Read by Susan Umpleby
04 - Chapter 4 10:58 Read by Susan Umpleby
05 - Chapter 5 38:02 Read by Susan Umpleby
06 - Chapter 6 20:26 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
07 - Chapter 7 34:02 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
08 - Chapter 8 14:28 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
09 - Chapter 9 31:27 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
10 - Chapter 10 28:41 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
11 - Chapter 11 14:49 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
12 - Chapter 12 31:36 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
13 - Chapter 13 27:34 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
14 - Chapter 14 26:54 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
15 - Chapter 15 26:27 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
16 - Chapter 16 12:06 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
17 - Chapter 17 12:17 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
18 - Chapter 18 26:49 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)
19 - Chapter 19 28:35 Read by Richard Kilmer (1942 - 2022)

Reviews

Just get it


(5 stars)

Very good story and a very good reading. I actually can't believe that I haven't heard of this story before. It really should be right up there with the other literary classics.

one of the best stories of all time


(4.5 stars)

Excellent story. One of my favorites. The reading could have been done with a little more passion, and some words were mispronounced (eg - 'hang from a wooden giblet' - that was my favorite). Overall very well done, though.

Predictable! But the best kind.


(5 stars)

This story is very predictable. the hero wins the girl. But you are still left on the edge of your seat the entire time. Very Enjoyable. A new favorite by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

love Richard Kilmer


(5 stars)

Wonderful story. Didn't know ERB wrote this kind of book. Many, many thanks to the readers, and especially one of my favorites - R. Kilmer.


(5 stars)

wow! I can't believe some director hasn't butchered this amazing story into an awful movie yet


(5 stars)

Thanks for a great story. Me thinks it was a fine tale.

FUN PARAHISTORY


(5 stars)

ERB never ceases to amaze with his fertile imagination.


(5 stars)

Edgar Rice Burroughs is simply one of the greatest