BELOVED EXILE [Paperback]

Parke Godwin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2001

King Arthur is dead. Surrounded by traitors and usurpers, Guinevere must defend the empire she struggled so desperately to help forge. Aided by the loyalty of Bedivere, Gareth, Lancelot, and others from Arthur's reign, she works toward settling her uneasy nation. But when faced with unthinkable treachery, Guinevere is swept into a life she never understood, driven to the depths of servitude to a bold Saxon who is unaware of her true identity. Much like Arthur, he is an idyllic dreamer with a magnificent mind. With him, she discovers more of humanity than she ever imagined! And we see Guinevere for all she is: brilliant leader, shrewd schemer, compassionate ruler, heartless tyrant, lover, warrior, slave—and always, always a Queen.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: IBOOKS, INC. (December 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596873043
• ISBN-13: 978-1596873049
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,481,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gritty and realistic, February 15, 2000

By 

John D. Costanzo "johndc" (Bensalem, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beloved Exile (Paperback)

More historical fiction than fantasy, you will not find any magic swords or sorcery in this gritty and realistic story of Guenevere and Britian after the death of Arthur. When the story begins, Guenevere is already middle aged, and Britian is on the brink of chaos. As the story progresses we learn of the maturing of Guenevere as a person and as a queen.

The novel starts off fast and furious with battles and betrayals. Then it settles down into a serious character study as it builds towards a strong and satisfying climax. Sometimes slow, but always interesting, this was worthwhile reading.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best portraits of Guinevere, September 27, 1998

By 

strega2 "strega2" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beloved Exile (Paperback)

This is a worthy sequel to the exciting "Firelord." It tells the story of the rest of Guinevere's life after Arthur's death, and she is even more of a vivid and strong personality than she was in that enthralling novel. Godwin's account of her captivity as a Saxon slave, and her adaptation to that way of life, is purely imaginative, but who could mind? It relates a sensitive and entertaining account of how this proud queen grows to maturity in her adjustment to a jarring change in her fortunes. Guinevere has never seemed more real, alive and captivating than in these pages.You can well believe that a woman this remarkable has captured popular imagination for 1500 years. Someone, please--put this book back into print! It deserves it.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank goodness for a non-weepy, finally grown-up Guinevere!, August 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beloved Exile (Paperback)

Traditional versions of the Arthur myth focus mainly on the men. Other versions like Mists of Avalon, which I enjoy immensely, focus women characters and not much, really, on the weepy, very Christian Guinevere.

Beloved Exile is a smashing alternate view of the possibilities, given the times. Guinevere in this version is not construed as a saint, a hystrionic weeper, nor is she totally lovable, but is very human. She is a strong, unforgettable character.

Highly recommended!