Scan barcode
debs4jc's review
3.0
An imaginative expansion on the Arthur legend, this book tells the story of Guinevere, mainly dealing with what happens to her after Arthur dies. Parts of the Arthur story are told in flashback, as the reader follows along with her inner musings on the past. But mostly in follows the former queen as she becomes enslaved by Saxon's and learns to admire their democratic system of governing. When she returns to her own people she is much changed for the better, but will her countrymen accept her strange new ideas?[return]An interesting blend of fantasy, legend, and history. It peaked my interest in history, but I didn't like the rambling thoughts of the main character sometimes. Still, this is a great way to experience some English history with a dash of the Arhur legend, albiet told in a more realistic manner.
ianbanks's review
5.0
My favourite rendition of Arthuriana, I think, despite the man himself being dead before the story starts. This is the story of "what happened next."
Guinevere is trying to keep Britain together but things go a bit pear-shaped and she winds up a slave to a Saxon farmer. However, she finds that it isn't that bad and that the Saxons aren't necessarily as bad as she once thought (handy for those of us who are Inclined to look at the legend of Arthur as being an historical iteration of the Brexit story, but with a bit more glamour). Guinevere comes to admit and love these "invaders" and, when she returns to her former life, is considered a radical for listening to the "common voices."
Something that occurred to me on this reread was that Guinevere reminded me of another queen of England who had a tumultuous life and was considered a harlot by her enemies and a paragon by her admirers: Eleanor of Aquitaine. She has the same vast knowledge, train of followers and let for life. A quick check of some books and some googling led me to the first great popularisation and consideration of Arthur as a "true" historical figure as being during the reign of the Plantaganets and the idea that it happened to add some mystique to the rule of Henry and Eleanor. It's not too far a stretch: Eleanor did foster a court that loved old stories and she was nobodies fool.
Anyway, back to the book. Mr Godwin seems a little too fond of his lead character at times but this is a great read that asks some interesting questions about legends and myths and what we do with them.
Guinevere is trying to keep Britain together but things go a bit pear-shaped and she winds up a slave to a Saxon farmer. However, she finds that it isn't that bad and that the Saxons aren't necessarily as bad as she once thought (handy for those of us who are Inclined to look at the legend of Arthur as being an historical iteration of the Brexit story, but with a bit more glamour). Guinevere comes to admit and love these "invaders" and, when she returns to her former life, is considered a radical for listening to the "common voices."
Something that occurred to me on this reread was that Guinevere reminded me of another queen of England who had a tumultuous life and was considered a harlot by her enemies and a paragon by her admirers: Eleanor of Aquitaine. She has the same vast knowledge, train of followers and let for life. A quick check of some books and some googling led me to the first great popularisation and consideration of Arthur as a "true" historical figure as being during the reign of the Plantaganets and the idea that it happened to add some mystique to the rule of Henry and Eleanor. It's not too far a stretch: Eleanor did foster a court that loved old stories and she was nobodies fool.
Anyway, back to the book. Mr Godwin seems a little too fond of his lead character at times but this is a great read that asks some interesting questions about legends and myths and what we do with them.
More...