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The Cleaving by Juliet E. McKenna

3 reviews

plume_de_renarde's review

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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narratricenessa's review

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I received an ARC of this book through Net Galley, courtesy of Angry Robot Books.

The Cleaving by Juliet E. McKenna is a feminist retelling of the Arthurian legends. It follows the intertwined stories of four women: Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana, and Guinevere as they fight to control their own destinies in a male-dominated world of sub-Roman Britain.

“Then let’s craft stories of our own. (…) Let’s tell tales of tragic folly when mortals get entangled with magic. Let’s show how unearned power deceives and corrupts even those who have the best intentions. Let’s convince the people of these isles and beyond to look to their own strengths and to work with each other. To be the masters and mistresses of their own fates rather than blindly following the loudest voice.”

McKenna’s choice to (re)tell the Arthurian legend through the character of Nimue and focus on the characters of women is as intriguing as it is refreshing. By choosing to focus on the lives of Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana, and Guinevere and centre the story on them, instead of the usual (male) suspects (Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, the Knights of the Round Table, etc.), McKenna does not only brings a new perspective into the familiar Arthurian mythos but also breaths a new life into them.

However, despite the interesting new perspective McKenna brings to the Arthurian legend, the story itself is not the star of the show. Her version(s) of the characters are. The author’s skill is shown in their portrait, character development, actions, and interactions with others. A good example of that are the characters of Nimue and Merlin; McKenna masterfully compares and contrasts the two characters through their thoughts, desires, intentions, actions, and position in society. As an older man in a position of power (compared to Nimue), Merlin has more options available to him and can openly use his magic without (much) censure. Nimue, on the other hand, is not; and the limits imposed on her by society and her social position determine her actions and approach to various events.

“Use your magic sparingly, and always with caution. You can never know what consequences might follow.”

Interestingly enough, although the Arthurian mythos contains a wealth of morally reprehensible (male) characters (Uther Pendragon being one such example) McKenna never (ab)uses their vile behaviour nor does she bash these male characters to show her female protagonist in a better, more sympathetic light. All of her characters are human, imperfect, and imbued with virtues and flaws. Some of them are repulsive, their actions irredeemable and the readers will most likely despise them. The majority of them are in the morally grey territory and the readers’ sympathy will depend on the reader themselves. All are well-written, nuanced characters that enrich this retelling.

The Cleaving is a wonderful, masterfully written novel that gives a new perspective to a familiar legend. Readers, regardless of their level of familiarity with Arthurian mythos, will most certainly enjoy the beautiful prose and excellently crafted characters. The Cleaving is a resplendent book and certainly, a must-read for all mythology lovers.

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aliteraryescape's review

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adventurous challenging medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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