Customer Reviews

The Child of the Holy Grail (Guenevere Novels)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a big fan of the Guenevere trilogy and I bought CHILD OF THE HOLY GRAIL as soon as it was available and read it in one sitting! One of the big questions in Arthurian literature is what happens to all the characters after the fall of Camelot. Rosalind Miles invents a wonderful and different ending that is nonetheless completely plausible. And Ms. Miles' lovely lyrical storytelling wrapped it all up beautifully. This was a really satisfying end to a series that has brought me a lot of reading pleasure!

While I'm still a Morgan le Fay fan, this series really changed the way I look at Guenevere and her role in the Arthurian story. In Marion Zimmer Bradley's vision of Camelot, she comes across as colorless and almost insignificant, which I always felt was a bit unfair--I mean, you can't exactly promote matriarchy and female power with one character and completely undercut it with another. But Rosalind Miles' Guenevere came across as true to the legend without the New Agey twist that MZB takes for her Arthurian characters. She is fully fleshed out--a strong, confident, sexual woman who is unfortunately at the mercy of fate and the bad decisions of the men who surround her. Her ultimate triumph (and the triumph of all the female characters) after the Fall of Camelot is the true untold story of King Arthur's court. Malory never answers the question: after Arthur's death, what happens? We're left to believe that he slumbers and awaits his rebirth. But the women survived where the men did not, and they weren't sleeping an eternal sleep--they were rebuilding, replenishing and renewing the kingdom in a way that the male rulers never did. Rosalind Miles celebrates their role, and their triumph, in a way that I found enlightening and encouraging to all women.

This is a beautifully told tale that illuminates some previously hidden parts of the Camelot legend, and does so in a way that champions the cause of peace, wisdom and womanhood. A really superb read, with plenty to enjoy and reflect upon.

I was skeptical about how the Guenevere story would end...I've really enjoyed this series but I know how the story of King Arthur ends, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this conclusion to the trilogy. Fortunately, Rosalind Miles' storytelling skills did not let me down! CHILD OF THE HOLY GRAIL was every bit as lyrical/edgy/intelligent/affirming/entertaining as the previous books in the series, which I highly recommend. I hope to see more from Ms. Miles.

Thank goodness this was a trilogy! It is only unfortunate that it isn't an even longer series. Miles continues her masterful retelling of the Arthurian legend in her third and final installment. I am happy to say she ends as strongly as she began with Guinevere- Queen of the Summery Country.

As a history buff - I relish the chance to find a great historical fiction. Finding a book blending enough history to be intellegent but enough fiction to be entrancing is a rare indeed.
This book (and the entire series) not only delighted me - but has now been passed along to family and friends who lack my love of history....and their delight with the story is as strong as my own.

If you've read the first two books of this series by Miles, keep going!! You'll be glad you did!

Rosalind Miles wraps up her Guenevere triology with "Child of the Holy Grail".

Although not quite as engrossing as the first two books in the trilogy, "Child of the Holy Grail" was a good ending to a good story.

The first half of this book dealt with it almost exclusively as a theme - the second half of the book was the consequence of it...which essentially was the crumbling of the realms of Arthur and Guenevere. This made it interesting (and sad) to read beyond the telling of most other versions of the legend I've read. Galahad was a difficult character for me to warm up to - he was a little TOO fanatical, otherworldly and untouchable. I was surprised to find myself very intrigued with Mordred for a change - seeing him as another tragic victim of his mother and deserving of sympathy despite his scheming and ambitious manipulations to achieve the throne. Arthur infuriated me at times - being too easily swayed and influenced by the Christians determined to rule his soul. But this was Guenevere's glorious and tragic story and it was wonderfully told. Her femininity was powerful and proud -the devotion to her religion and culture unwavering under undue pressures - her loves demanding an emotional toll of heartbreaking longing. I can look forward to reading this book again.

The Price of Immortality, swords of life and death series is highly recommended.

Upon reading the horrific review given by "jsolinas", one question begs answer: since she obviously dislikes this author why on earth has she devoted so much time to reading not just one, but all of the books in this trilogy? I found this book, as well as the preceeding ones, to be well written and interesting. As the above-mentioned review illustrates so well: if you don't like this subject matter then of course don't bother reading the book! However, if you do enjoy the subject of King Arthur, Christians vs Druids, Camelot, etc., then you will enjoy this book.

The Arthurian legend is my passion - and I've read many versions and series of the telling of it. This series will rank among my favorites. Most other stories hint at or barely touch at the search for the Holy Grail - also the existence and parentage of the mysterious and ethereal Galahad. The first half of this book dealt with it almost exclusively as a theme - the second half of the book was the consequence of it...which essentially was the crumbling of the realms of Arthur and Guenevere. This made it interesting (and sad) to read beyond the telling of most other versions of the legend I've read. Galahad was a difficult character for me to warm up to - he was a little TOO fanatical, otherworldly and untouchable. I was surprised to find myself very intrigued with Mordred for a change - seeing him as another tragic victim of his mother and deserving of sympathy despite his scheming and ambitious manipulations to achieve the throne. Arthur infuriated me at times - being too easily swayed and influenced by the Christians determined to rule his soul. But this was Guenevere's glorious and tragic story and it was wonderfully told. Her femininity was powerful and proud -the devotion to her religion and culture unwavering under undue pressures - her loves demanding an emotional toll of heartbreaking longing. I can look forward to reading this book again.

Upon reading the horrific review given by "jsolinas", one question begs answer: since she obviously dislikes this author why on earth has she devoted so much time to reading not just one, but all of the books in this trilogy? I found this book, as well as the preceeding ones, to be well written and interesting. As the above-mentioned review illustrates so well: if you don't like this subject matter then of course don't bother reading the book! However, if you do enjoy the subject of King Arthur, Christians vs Druids, Camelot, etc., then you will enjoy this book.