The Crystal Cave (The Arthurian Saga, Book 1) [Paperback]

Mary Stewart (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 29, 1996 | Series: The Arthurian Saga, Book 1

Mary Stewart tells the Arthurian legend in her own unique way, bringing to life one of the world's greatest legends and mysteries, shedding a fascinating new light on the turbulence and mystery of fifth-century Britain. An enthralling work, Ms. Stewart once again reveals those qualities of suspense and romantic adventure that have made her one of the world's most widely read novelists.
"A master storyteller."
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From the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st Ballantine books trade ed edition (September 29, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449911616
• ISBN-13: 978-0449911617
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (162 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,520,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Initially published nearly thirty years ago, Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave has been spellbinding readers and converting them into serious Arthurian buffs ever since. The first in a series of four books, this novel focuses on the early life of Merlin the magician, and the political developments of fifth-century Britain. Not for the fainthearted, this verbose text pays careful attention to historical details and methodical plot development.

Merlin's childhood is formed by the absence of his reticent, convent-bound mother and his unnamed and unknown father. As the bastard grandson of a local king, Merlin is the object of both envy and ridicule. His strange powers and predictions earn him greater status as a pariah, and he leaves home as a preadolescent. Returning years later as a young man--empowered by self-knowledge and magic--Merlin finds himself caught in the currents of the shifting kingdoms.

As an established classic in this genre, and the first in a popular series, The Crystal Cave introduces this familiar character with fresh sensitivity. While readers looking for the romance of First Knight will be disappointed, those happy with tight writing and a complex story line will be satisfied. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien

Review

'A deft colourful ... re-creation of Merlin's early life' -- Sunday Times 'Vivid, enthralling, absolutely first-class' -- Daily Mail 'Her style is simple yet vivid, displaying a love of words and the sounds they make, and her story is poetically imaginative' -- Daily Telegraph 'Mary Stewart brilliantly recreates the Britain of the fifth century' -- Books And Bookmen 'A fascinating story which lays a firm hold on the imagination' -- The Scotsman 'Mary Stewart lightens the Dark Ages with legend, pure invention and a lively sense of history.' -- New York Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st Ballantine books trade ed edition (September 29, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449911616
• ISBN-13: 978-0449911617
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (162 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,520,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mart Stewart, one of the most popular novelists writing today, was born in Sunderland, County Durham, England. After boarding-school, she recieved a B.A. with first class honors in English Language and Literature from Durham University and went on for her M.A. Later she returned to her own University as a Lecturer in English. She married in 1945. Her husband is Sir Frederick Stewart, who is Chairman of the Geology Department at Edinburgh University, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.Mary Stewart's career as a novelist began in 1954 with the publication of Madam, Will You Talk? Since then she has published fifteen successful novels, including The Last Enchantment, the third book of the magical trilogy about the legendary enchanter Merlin and young Arthur. Her books for young readers, The Little Broomstick (1971) and Ludo and the Star Horse (1974), quickly met with the same success as her other novels. In 1968, she was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. In 1971, the Scottish Chapter of the International PEN Association awarded her the Frederick Niven prize for the The Crystal Cave. In 1974, the Scottish Arts Council Award went to Ludo and the Star Horse.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanted, once more July 4, 2005

By Richard W Little

Format:Paperback

A long time ago, I read Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy, which consists of three books: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment. I had last read the trilogy back in the mid-1980s, back when I was in high school. So, recently I turned back to these old favorites, and found myself enjoying the tale once again.

Here's a brief background of the story, without spoiling it too much for potential readers. England is suffering under fractured leadership following the departure of the Romans, some time before. England is broken up into several small kingdoms, with a High King to hold them all together, and to try to repell the Saxon threat already encamped on the shores. Into this time, Merlin is born, the bastard child of a local princess. The trilogy tells the tale of his life.

In the first book, Merlin is first a small boy in Wales, where he finds his tutor in magic and the gods and medicine, and is touched by the prophecy which will shape his whole life's work. He flees Wales, for his own protection, and his subsequent actions inexorably lead to the conception of a child: Arthur, the future High King.

In the second book, Merlin is charged by both the High King, Uthur, and his god to keep Arthur in his care, and to train him for his coming challenges. The story closes with Arthur assuming the mantle of leadership, following the passing of Uthur.

In the third book, Arthur and Merlin work to end the Saxon threat, found Camelot, and close with Merlin's final destiny, as he had long since foreseen...almost.

The tale is told in the first person: Merlin. In this fashion, the story feels personal in a way that few other Arthurian fantasies ever have.... Merlin, the character, is a sympathetic one: he has good in his heart, he looks after his mission in life with care and humility, and he certainly doesn't buy into this "Merlin the Enchanter" crap circulating about England...though he's not above using it to his benefit from time to time. The other characters in the story are also fleshed out with care...and the characters are certainly not one-dimensional or static.

The storyline is clearly grounded in historical "facts", as much as possible. Clearly Mary Stewart put some time into research, before beginning the writing of this tale.

The writing style is very descriptive. In some novels, the description is somewhat threadbare, willing the reader to fill in the look of the setting to some extent with their own imagination. It's a perfectly valid writing style, and I've enjoyed many books written with that style. Here, however, Mary Stewart has sought to ground us, again, in a historical setting, and she puts a lot of attention into describing the setting so as to help with that grounding process. It's very effective.

So, with the close of the tale, I feel somewhat saddened. Merlin became like a friend. So, I encourage other readers to pick up the challenge, and read the Merlin Trilogy, so you can be touched in this way also. Read more ›

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart March 24, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

The book The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart tells of the life of Merlin the Enchanter from when he was six to about 24. His adventures are vividly described, whether its roaming the tunnels under his grandfathers castle or sneaking his uncle into the fortress of Cornwall. There is almost never a dull moment in this book. It takes awhile getting started, but it gets interesting around page 50, so hang in there. One part of the book I really enjoyed was when 13 year old Merlin takes a ride in the forest with his servant and catches his tutor up to no good. Overall, I'd say this book is excellent literature because it really describes everything. You can picture every scene and character in your head. I really felt like I knew each character and was genuinely upset when one died and outraged when one betrayed another. The book also teaches you a lot about the Middle Ages. There were castles, knights, maidens in distress, and all the usual stuff, but it also told about normal people. It tells of everyday life in medieval times. If you like this book, I recommend you read the 2nd and 3rd books in the Merlin Trilogy, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment. Both are just as good as The Crystal Cave. If you are fascinated with the legend of Arthur and Merlin, and are a patient reader who likes long, detailed novels like I do, you will adore this book!

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Stewart shows real Merlin in this spellbinding masterpiece May 27, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

What was it like to live in Arthurian time? No one living today can actually know, but after reading The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart, one feels as if they had. Those who haven't read this yet must obtain a copy. Stewart delves into the personal life of Myrddin Emrys, better known as Merlin the magician, counselor, and guardian of King Arthur. Intertwining fact, legend, and fiction, Stewart interprets the mystery surrounding Merlin and his powers into a personal, heartfelt story of a very misunderstood individual.

This book starts when Merlin is very young and living in his grandfather's castle in Madridunum. We follow him through the trials of growing up without knowing the identity of his father, interacting with his Uncle Camlach who tries to poison him, understanding his mother, and discovering his power which is later referred to as "The Sight". This power he possesses perplexes, terrifies and intrigues him. One day he travels far into the hills around his town and finds a cave full of crystals and an old man named Galapas. Here he learns of his powers and how to control them. When his grandfather is killed, he runs away in fear of his uncle.

Soon he is kidnapped but this leads to meeting Ambrosius, who is later discovered to be his true father. Ambrosius keeps him as a counselor and lets him live as he pleases. Many years later he goes back to Madridunum to visit his mother and seek out information for Ambrosius when he is captured by men of Ambrosius' enemy, Vortigern. He goes through trials of staying alive and soon prophesizes of a cave and two dragons. This is the turning point from which the normal legend of Merlin turns dark. In Stewart's version, though, Merlin is also in awe of his powers and has fear of what he is becoming....

Up to this point the book is intriguing and fast paced, but now it turns to the more historical side and even cuts out most of the dialog. The story of Ambrosius, his brother Uther, Vortimer and his father Vortigern with the Saxon wife drags on for about a fourth of the book.

Soon enough, Ambrosius is the High King and wants to take Killare, the stronghold of Ireland. Inside this fortress is a huge ring upon ring of enormous stones called The Dance. Ambrosius wants it moved to his new stronghold of all the empire. While this seems impossible, Merlin again surprises the kingdom with his supposed magic and thinks of a plan. Suddenly Ambrosius dies and Merlin dedicates himself to moving this and burying Ambrosius under the center stone, which has magical qualities itself. This new Dance is better known as Stonehenge. Now Uther is King, and Merlin and Uther must work out their problems to rule the kingdom.

Presently, Uther falls in love with another ruler's wife. She, named Ygraine, wants him also, but is constantly followed by guards. Merlin, his devoted servant Cadal, and Uther devise a plan to impregnate Ygraine with Uther's baby, but let her husband think it is his child. This plan is barely carried out, and in this process Cadal and other servants of Ygraine and her husband are killed. Merlin, saddened, but with high faith, returns to Galapas' Crystal Cave, which is now his own.

What makes this book so unique is that Stewart portrays Merlin as a real human being with emotions, fears, and dreams, unlike the legends show. She lets the reader see into his head and understand that he was just a highly intelligent human used by the gods, not a sinister wizard. After reading it, the real Merlin Emrys becomes an odd but graspable character with whom one can connect. This true mastery shown by Mary Stewart beckons me to read the next two books in the trilogy. Read more ›

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! July 12, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I was required to read this book for summer reading for my highschool freshman honors english class. I started it a couple of days ago, and finished it last night. This is truly a great book. It's a unique take on a classic and well-known story. I'd always associated the name Merlin with an old man witha long white beard and robes with pointy hats. I'd never thought of Merlin as a young man. I also learned a lot about the legend of Camelot from the information in the back of the book .This book may have some faults, but I'm not a historian or camelot buff, and I'm also no author or literary expert. But as a 14 year old girl who loves to read, I am giving this book 5 stars and two thumbs up. The Crystal Cave is a must read!