The Enchantresses [Hardcover]

Vera Chapman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

Ygraine has given birth to Arthur, the "Once and Future King". But she also has three daughters by her husband, the Duke of Gorlais, called Morgause, Vivian and Morgan. In their hands lies the fate of Arthur - one will help, one will hinder and one could destroy all that Merlin has worked for.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Three sisters, Morgause, Morgan, and Vivian, grow up under the tutelage of the druid Merlin, becoming powerful sorceresses in their own right and shaping the destiny of Britain with their desires and intrigues. Chapmans version of the Arthurian cycle focuses on the childhood, youth, and adulthood of the three women whose magic helps create and destroy a legendary hero. Gracefully told with charm and simplicity, this tale recalls but does not reiterate Marion Zimmer Bradleys The Mists of Avalon (LJ 12/82) and should appeal to fans of Arthurian myth. For large fantasy collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

In this novel discovered after Chapman's death at 98 in 1996, the Arthurian fictionist returns to the Matter of Britain to focus on Arthur's three sorcerous half sisters, Morgause, Vivian, and the sinister Morgan. They differ in color and character, but they are all taught by Merlin and apply their magical talents to help themselves and sometimes help or hinder their half brother in his efforts to unite Britain. Chapman's Arthurian scholarship is impeccable, and she does not try to fit either the characters or the intrigues into neopaganism, some procrustean pop psychology frame, or any of the other quirks and quiddities that disfigure some recent Arthuriana. Some readers who have become accustomed to longer explorations of the Matter of Britain may feel that Chapman has not developed as well as she might have some of her more interesting insights, particularly on Merlin. Unless they are dedicated Chapman lovers, they may feel a trifle frustrated. Perhaps this is for thoroughgoing Arthurians only. Still, it is a fine coda to Chapman's work. Roland Green

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Gollancz; First Edition edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0575065249
• ISBN-13: 978-0575065246
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,157,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The #1 review on "The Enchantresses", August 24, 2000

By 

Crista (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Enchantresses (Paperback)

I loved this book because it is creative and different. It captured my interest from the first sentence. It is about three sisters growing up and how they are different from one another and how they go to great lengths to perform their "part in destiny". It is about three girls, yet it mostly focusses on only one, although it shows everyones point of view even Merlin, Arthur and Torion(Sir Ectors brother).

2.0 out of 5 stars Readable and forgetable, March 8, 2004

By 

S. E. Kennedy "ocinnedeagh" (Minnesota, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Enchantresses (Paperback)

The book centers around the triplet daughters of the Dutchcess Ygraine the Duke of Cornwall. Morgause, Vivian and Morgan are all distinctly different in appearance and personality. Most of the book follows their evolution from babies until Morgan becomes the embodiment of evil, Morgause becomes Morgan's lackey, and Vivian becomes the Lady of the Lake. Most of the story focuses on Vivian who resists the lure of evil and although mystically empowered uses the powers only for good. Morgan is less developed and Morgause is really overshadowed and the story ends with little known of her other than her instrumental tampering with Ygraine and Uther and ultimately with Arthur. Truly, this is not an exceptional retelling of the story. It's a very short book and a fast read. If, like me, you simply devour anything and everything Arthurian, it is worth having under your reading belt. If you are not familiar with the Arthurian legends and the primary characters, this is not where I'd suggest you begin. I would strongly suggest the Mists of Avalon (for the mystic side of the story and a look at the women of the legend) or the Bernard Cornwell triology (for what is more historically founded) before this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful tale painted in broad strokes, January 9, 2001

By 

tresi (Avondale Estates, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Enchantresses (Paperback)

I stumbled upon this book in a used book store. I'm glad I did. It is the story of the daughters of Igraine (Vivian, Morgause, and Morgan) who all have magical abilities (used with varying degrees of good and evil) and their relationships with Merlin and Arthur. A relatively quick read, Chapman favors broad strokes to convey her story. I found this book to be a poetic meditation on the cycle of life and death and to successfully convey the mystical nature of the Arthurian world.