The Black Arrow Audiobook By Robert Louis Stevenson cover art

The Black Arrow

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection of titles.
Yours as long as you’re a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for $8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Black Arrow

By: Robert Louis Stevenson
Narrated by: Ron Keith
Try Standard free

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.52

Buy for $20.52

The 15th-century Wars of the Roses serve as backdrop for this swashbuckling historical novel from the author of Kidnapped and Treasure Island.

In a time of shifting loyalties and trecherous alliances, young Dick Shelton is betrayed by his brutal guardian. Intent on rescuing the woman he loves, Dick joins forces with a mysterious fellowship intent on dispensing their own brand of justice.Through one trap after another, each choice Dick makes begins to have dire consequences—not only for himself, but for the fate of England!

Public Domain (P)1998 Recorded Books, LLC Historical Fiction Action & Adventure Classics Fiction Political Genre Fiction War

Editorial reviews

This is possibly the least well known of Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure novels. Set in fifteenth-century England during the War of the Roses, it follows 17-year-old Richard Shelton as he seeks to avenge his father's murder and rescue his ladylove. These days, sixth-graders might have difficulty comprehending Stevenson's period prose without assistance. Narrator Ron Keith is more than up to the task. As a homicidal priest, an assortment of barbarous pirates, and Richard's own devious legal guardian, Keith makes every moment sizzle. His excellent accents, stylish characterizations, and vocal panache keep the listener spellbound. As young Richard discovers betrayal, friendship, and love, Keith's performance offers an entertaining way for a new audience to understand and enjoy this gem.
All stars
Most relevant
I love this book, it keeps one on the edge wanting to know how it falls out and the underlying virtue of mercy shines softly in the main character.

A full and enchanting adventure

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If you’re like me, you weren’t really paying attention in school when they covered the War of the Roses. Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, uses this historical event as the backdrop for his Robin-Hoodesque narrative… which means I was rather confused for a large portion of this story. Part of it is probably pregnancy brain. I am EXTREMELY forgetful these days and found myself zoning out or forgetting large portions. The period-accurate dialogue was also difficult to follow at times, so I found myself rewinding several chapters. I even started the book entirely over after chapter 5 or 6!

Dick Shelton was raised by an evil lord who killed his father and became Dick’s guardian so that he could have control over his assets until he became of age to inherit them. Dick finally learns the truth and goes on an adventure attempting to get revenge for his father and those things he has lost. He meets the lovely Joanna Sibley, initially disguised as a boy by a different name making that whole dynamic a bit confusing. And he goes in with a group of bandits going by the name of the Black Arrow who are also trying to dethrone the evil Lord. The whole thing really did have strong Robin Hood vibes!

I liked the story overall, especially in conceptual retrospect. But it was very difficult to get through.

Too confusing to enjoy… even when it was enjoyable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This story is wild and full of all the things boys love. The narration is extremely well done.

Spastic adventures

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An excellent take on The Wars of the Roses, and a classic if ever there was one. The narrator, who I'd never heard of before, is excellent at accents and voices.

A classic never goes out of style.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is a worthwhile story, but not so "hot" as Treasure Island. I think the Narrator saved it from making me kind of mad that I bought the book. In the end I recommend this book third in line, "thusly": after Treasure Island, then Kidnapped.

Excellent writing, excellent narration, good story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews