★★★★★ 3
Not what I expected
Format: Mass Market Paperback
I love stories about King Arthur and that time period in general. I really looked forward to this book because of the high ratings and my special interest in the subject. There was a lot to like about the book. The author was imaginative and, at times, the writing and characters came alive.
I have to say sometimes it was kind of like riding in an old car over a road filled with pot holes -- I kept getting shook out of the story by either references to things not from that time period or the endless social commentary that seemed to be the real point in the author writing the story. By about halfway I was wondering why he didn't give up on the story and just write a philosophy book. He wasn't being subtle. I just wanted to get back to the action and felt like I was being preached at through the narrator and the characters. I also love historical details but be aware that this author tends to mention armor and then go on and on for a while to explain it down to the tiniest detail - same with jousting - the details of what the men are wearing as fashion - what is hanging in the room - and so on.
As for the characters, it was sad to see Arthur diminish to being almost a shadow or joke near the end. The glorious king who was supposed to be so strong appeared to have no power to do anything and even allowed himself to have no voice in his own court (Gawaine did the talking). He didn't have any real presence after the very beginning though - not even as a tragic character until the very end. The author didn't make him feel like a real person in what is supposed to be his story. Arthur is the shadow between Lancelot and Gwen (or Jenny), Arthur is the go-between for the vengeful knights in his failing efforts to keep peace... He stands back hoping something will happen to stop the burning of his wife... he is not instigating but moderating action. He is even described as plain, shuffling... Not the grand King Arthur.
Merlyn was a joke as well. His magic was more like a Disney cartoon special than anything resembling Arthurian legend and the constant references to things from the future (or Merlyn's past if you buy him living backwards) kept yanking me out of the "story world" and the other characters almost never reacted to it - as if it were normal. He leaves soon after Arthur becomes king and never comes back (you know the whole locked in the cave thing).
The character most fleshed out is Lancelot. The author spends a great deal of time into his motives, feelings and actions through almost the entire book. If it weren't for the very beginning, you might be able to make an argument that more is written of Lancelot than of Arthur. Lancelot seems stronger, more driven and more clearly defined nearly at all times in the book. You know what he wants and how far he'll go to get it.
In the end I am glad I read it, but it isn't my favorite Arthurian book and I doubt I'll read it again.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2010
