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A review by l2intj
The Wicked Day by Mary Stewart
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A good book, though not as good as the Merlin trilogy, partly because of the “absurdities” (the author’s term) inherent to the Mordred romance. Stewart does her best to iron out these problems, but is less successful here than in the Merlin trilogy. Merlin’s “magic” can be explained by natural causes as well as his prophetic potential. Certain elements in this story are less easy to resolve, particularly the inconsistent behaviors of some of the main characters, especially Arthur.
That’s not to say the author was unsuccessful with this story. In particular, I appreciate her re-working of the Mordred character. He’s not the Mordred we often see in movies or television who’s evil just because. (His name is Mordred for crying out loud! How could he be anything but? Incidentally, Stewart has an alternative explanation for the name, as well.) He’s ambitious and a bit cold, but he loves his father, and has no desire to be his “curse.”
Furthermore, in the telling of his tale, Stewart examines the workings of fate. What is the role of fate, and what of free will, and how does good and evil affect one’s life course? Morgause, as the “evil” force represents the binding, coercive, and persistent power of fear: "There will come a day, the wicked day of destiny, when all will come to pass..." While Merlin, the never seen and yet ever-present force of "good" whispers, "Live what life brings; die what death comes." Mordred, caught in the midst of all this must choose what philosophy to adopt. Will he choose to see his life as fated, as the cruel machinations of the gods, or will he accept the natural unfolding of his own life and choices? This really becomes the most important question of the novel, because the reader knows only too well, he can’t change what is to come.
That’s not to say the author was unsuccessful with this story. In particular, I appreciate her re-working of the Mordred character. He’s not the Mordred we often see in movies or television who’s evil just because. (His name is Mordred for crying out loud! How could he be anything but? Incidentally, Stewart has an alternative explanation for the name, as well.) He’s ambitious and a bit cold, but he loves his father, and has no desire to be his “curse.”
Furthermore, in the telling of his tale, Stewart examines the workings of fate. What is the role of fate, and what of free will, and how does good and evil affect one’s life course? Morgause, as the “evil” force represents the binding, coercive, and persistent power of fear: "There will come a day, the wicked day of destiny, when all will come to pass..." While Merlin, the never seen and yet ever-present force of "good" whispers, "Live what life brings; die what death comes." Mordred, caught in the midst of all this must choose what philosophy to adopt. Will he choose to see his life as fated, as the cruel machinations of the gods, or will he accept the natural unfolding of his own life and choices? This really becomes the most important question of the novel, because the reader knows only too well, he can’t change what is to come.