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Summary
Summary
The author of I, Elizabeth and the bestselling Return to Eden offers a bold and magical retelling of the ancient Arthurian saga as seen through the eyes of Queen Guenevere.
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Prolific English journalist and novelist Miles (I, Elizabeth) offers a feminist, New Age version of the Arthurian legend in her amply stocked but overripe work. Through his marriage to Guenevere, queen of the pagan matriarchy of the Summer Country, Arthur is well on his way to becoming king of all the Britons. However, Merlin, his tutelary spirit, frowns upon this marriage and prophesies that Guenevere will prove untrue. Guenevere is bedeviled by the machinations of her malevolent step-cousin/uncle Malgaunt, while Arthur's unknown, unhappy past invades his life in the figure of his half-sister Morgan le Fay, who seduces him and lures Arthur and Guenevere's only son, Amir, to an early death. The incestuous fruit of Arthur's union with MorganMordredbecomes Arthur's nemesis. In Miles's take on the legend, the principals are locked in passionate conflict: Queen Guenevere is stronger, more resolute, courageous and persevering than King Arthur. Though portrayed as a frank, generous golden knight, Arthur nevertheless proves putty in the successive hands of Merlin, Guenevere and Morgan le Fay. Merlin, a wild, withered, yellow-eyed druid, is also undone by Morgan and appears to abandon Arthur to his fate. Only when Arthur falls under Morgan's sway does Guenevere succumb to her love for Lancelot, one of the novel's freshly conceived figures. The matriarchal way of life in Guenevere's Summer Country, with its capital at Camelot and its goddess residing in the misty Vale of Avalon, appears as infinitely more civilized and attractive than those states where men rule. Unfortunately, the novel's characterization is sometimes trite, and its prose style is trying, veering between downright coarse (perhaps in an attempt to be lusty) and syrupy. Aficionados of Arthurian romance will be pleased with the included maps, family trees and list of the novel's 75 or so characters. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
In Miles' feminist spin on the Arthurian legend, Camelot is a matriarchal society ruled by queens. Women are free to love whomever they wish and the people worship the goddess, but the times they are a-changing. Guenevere's mother is killed in a horrifying magic-induced accident, and her uncle, Malgaunt, tries to wrest power from her to become king. Guenevere resists, but the dictates of religion and culture are hard to ignore, and she has all but given in and accepted Malgaunt as her mate when a warrior king of the Middle Kingdom--none other than Arthur himself--appears and serves as her champion. Believing herself to be truly in love with her hero, she marries him and together they try to unite Britain until the culmination of machinations by the evil triumvirate of Merlin, Malgaunt, and Morgan nearly destroy them and their love. Aficionados of the T. H. White and Mary Stewart versions of the legend may not find this take on Camelot to their liking, but many readers will be thrilled by Miles' approach to this endlessly fascinating tale. --Diana Tixier Herald
Library Journal Review
British novelist Miles (I, Elizabeth, LJ 5/15/94) takes her readers to the oft-traveled realms of King Arthur and his noble knights. This story, however, is told from the point of view of Guenevere, a queen in her own right and one well versed in the old ways of goddess worship and the right of the queen to choose her own consort. When Guenevere's succession to the throne of Camelot is threatened by her cousin, she chooses the young, impetuous, unacknowledged son of Uther Pendragon. Together, they reign in Camelot in spite of machinations by an ambitious and insane Merlin and the murderously jealous Morgan le Fay. Miles is at her best in her descriptions of everyday lifecustoms, food, dress, and religion (both pagan rites and early Christianity). Although not a memorable addition to the ranks of Arthurian literature, this is an entertaining tale that tells an old story from a new perspective.Jane Baird, Anchorage Municipal Libs., AK (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Excerpts
Excerpts
A cry ran like wildfire through the crowd. "The Queen has a champion--bring her to the Stone!" Guenevere stood quite still. The gold-clad stranger entered the ring around the Stone Circle and made straight for her. "Raise the Queen to the Stone!" For one long moment the newcomer faced her, his gold and silver knights on either side. Then the strong mailed hands of the were gripping her by the elbows, and she was lifted above their heads onto the top of the great stone. As her feet found purchase, she steadied herself, then turned to face the people. Gripping the edges of her golden cloak, she raised her arms like wings, offering herself to the land, to the night, to the Gods, and to the Goddess of them all. There was a groan from the hillside like the shrieking of the earth: "The Queen! The Queen! Guenevere the Queen!" Below her she could see Malgaunt, white with the shock of defeat. Beside him Lucan fell to his knees, his eyes raised in adoration, his hand on his heart. But nearest of all was the unknown stranger, the lord of gold. His three knights converged on their leader and vaulted him up on the Queen Stone at her side. "Who are you?" He knelt before her and took her hand in his gold-mailed fist. Reverently he touched it to her forehead, then brought it to his helmet's cold metallic lips. Then he clenched his fist and placed it on his heart. I am your champion, his actions said, Your champion and your servant, for as long as I live. Excerpted from Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country by Rosalind Miles All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
