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brenaudcreative's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
boosmummy's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this short story. It was narrated excellently and the main character of Mrs Whitaker sounds like the gran most of us have.
daftplum's review against another edition
5.0
My heart aches I love Mrs. Whitaker so much I love this lil story and it's little details and how sweet this old lady is ahhhhh and Marie and the concepts and lessons behind it.
ogreart's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite Neil Gaiman short stories rendered as a wonderfully illustrated graphic novel. I love it!
amys_booknook's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
solanpolarn's review
5.0
Fun and funny short story of Mrs Whitraker's interactions with Sir Galahad over the Holy Grail.
etekaipaanui's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for a paper I’m taking over the summer and you bet your sweet ass I’m counting this seventeen paged story towards my goodreads goal. Also, spoilers so soz.
Mrs Walker visited an Oxfam Shop on the pretence that she might find something to display in her home and came across a Holy Grail. She takes extra measures to ensure a careful hand in cleaning and refurbishing the Holy Grail before placing it on her mantlepiece between an image of her late husband and a Chinese basset hound. A knight arrives at her house the following day (in armour and on horseback because of course) and speaks of his quest to find the Sangrail, her Holy Grail. The story then shows the knight returning to Mrs Whitakers house with trophies from his adventures in the hopes she will accept one in exchange for the Sangrail.
I found the choice of protagonist interesting as the story focused on a hero’s quest but was told by an elderly woman occasionally involved in his mission. The knight follows many consistent elements heroes in stories often do:
-He is called to adventure in finding the Sangrail.
-He meets his mentor who guides him on his journey to find it (Marie, the volunteer in the shop).
-He crosses the threshold and makes his journey to Mrs Whitakers house.
-He is confronted by tests by Mrs Whitakers refusal and embarks on adventures to seek trophies to offer in exchange for the Sangrail.
-He approaches the inmost cave (which I know is a bit of a reach) into Mrs Whitakers boxroom.
-He endures the ordeal (which again, could be a bit of a reach) where his physical strength struggles through the dangerous bags and dust before conquering the box room and walking out with a cut on his cheek and a stiff arm.
-He then leaves with his reward and whisks his maiden off with him.
But unlike most fantasy/heroic adventure stories I’ve read (albeit a very small number), this doesn’t follow the hero. This isn’t his story, he plays a part in Mrs Whittaker’s story just like she does his.
Through the protagonist, we also see concepts and societal elements that were crucial in her time that we wouldn’t have seen if it were told by a knight in this time period. She met her husband during the war and speaks of the ARP dances she attended, how she listened to others speak of their children and spoke only of her niece as she never had any herself, and how she analysed other women’s appearance and took note of subtle and drastic changes in both older and younger woman. I really loved the choice of protagonist because it humanised the story to a more realistic and relatable perspective as not everyone is a hero embarking on dangerous or epic adventures, some of us just visit shops and seek adventures in books.
Mrs Walker visited an Oxfam Shop on the pretence that she might find something to display in her home and came across a Holy Grail. She takes extra measures to ensure a careful hand in cleaning and refurbishing the Holy Grail before placing it on her mantlepiece between an image of her late husband and a Chinese basset hound. A knight arrives at her house the following day (in armour and on horseback because of course) and speaks of his quest to find the Sangrail, her Holy Grail. The story then shows the knight returning to Mrs Whitakers house with trophies from his adventures in the hopes she will accept one in exchange for the Sangrail.
I found the choice of protagonist interesting as the story focused on a hero’s quest but was told by an elderly woman occasionally involved in his mission. The knight follows many consistent elements heroes in stories often do:
-He is called to adventure in finding the Sangrail.
-He meets his mentor who guides him on his journey to find it (Marie, the volunteer in the shop).
-He crosses the threshold and makes his journey to Mrs Whitakers house.
-He is confronted by tests by Mrs Whitakers refusal and embarks on adventures to seek trophies to offer in exchange for the Sangrail.
-He approaches the inmost cave (which I know is a bit of a reach) into Mrs Whitakers boxroom.
-He endures the ordeal (which again, could be a bit of a reach) where his physical strength struggles through the dangerous bags and dust before conquering the box room and walking out with a cut on his cheek and a stiff arm.
-He then leaves with his reward and whisks his maiden off with him.
But unlike most fantasy/heroic adventure stories I’ve read (albeit a very small number), this doesn’t follow the hero. This isn’t his story, he plays a part in Mrs Whittaker’s story just like she does his.
Through the protagonist, we also see concepts and societal elements that were crucial in her time that we wouldn’t have seen if it were told by a knight in this time period. She met her husband during the war and speaks of the ARP dances she attended, how she listened to others speak of their children and spoke only of her niece as she never had any herself, and how she analysed other women’s appearance and took note of subtle and drastic changes in both older and younger woman. I really loved the choice of protagonist because it humanised the story to a more realistic and relatable perspective as not everyone is a hero embarking on dangerous or epic adventures, some of us just visit shops and seek adventures in books.
riotsquirrrl's review against another edition
4.0
3/4 of this 4 star review go to Colleen Doran's illustrations which are incredibly lovely watercolors.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
5.0
A must-have for any lover of Arthuriana. The story and illustrations seamlessly weave the past into the present for a heartwarming and unpredictable tale. Highest recommendation!