Customer Reviews

The Pendragon

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are an Arthurian reader who appreciates insightful, well developed characters this book should be in your collection. I hope it is reprinted someday, it is a fine epic. Told in the first person by Bedivere, it gives an account that is largely from the Malory/Geoffrey of Monmouth stories but with changes that make many events more plausible.
The author skillfully sets the tone to realism, presenting all viewpoints. For example, when Lancelot's son dies in all of his pure and saintly glory, there is a suggestion that he suffered from an actual disease, akin to leukemia. This does not take away the granduer, it wisely grips your empathy.
Bedivere is a bard, but more so an impatient and hard working soldier and statesman who strives through tremendous responsibility. He sacricfices for king and country with stubborn strength and regrets, like any human.
The female characters are not present enough but for this viewpoint, it makes sense. Gratefully, Morgan (Mawgan) is not evil in this book. Morgawse is troublesome, but not a cartoon, like so many other versions. Guenevere is often spoken of but rarely in the scenes. You meet the character of Ygern (who is not Igraine, Arthur's mother) straightaway, I missed her toward the middle of the book.
Another blissful skill Catherine Christian has is to pay due to all religions and the religious conflict of Arthur's time without ever a hint of preference or agenda. The voice is that of Bedivere alone.
This is a book to be read at first sitting, the first eighty pages, with patience. After that, you should be enthralled enough to read it anywhere. It is a wonderful meld of emotion and entertainment, as all fine literature should be.

Catherine Christian has created a haunting rendition of the Arthurian legend. She has written the book with great sensitivity and combined this with historical accuracy.

The story is told through the eyes of Bedivere, Arthur's milk brother and first companion, and covers the period from Arthur's childhood to his King-making and inevitable death. The end is so sensitively written, that I imagine even the toughest reader would be moved to tears, as was I.

I first read "The Pendragon" when I was a teenager and I have never forgotten it. I just finished re-reading my brother's copy and would love to obtain a copy for myself. It is a great pity that the book is out of stock for the world is missing the opportunity of a first class read.

On the down side, this book has almost ruined any chances of me liking any other Arthur books, but only because there aren't any better out there. I've read plenty of books about Arthur and Camelot, but none that was so realistic, so intense in a way. Like every story that has been retold again and again, the books about King Arthur are largely similar in how the people are viewed, such as most Arthur books have "Morgen le fey" as an evil witch and sorceress, not so with this book. This is the book that takes the story and puts life into it and it's characters, bringing these people closer to your heart. I found myself not able to stop reading, and yet, not wanting the book to be over all at the same time. At the end I just sat and thought about it for awhile, wishing the tragic ending didn't have to be like that. This is not a book for people who scorn any Arthur book that is not told in the classic style, for it is not. This is a wonderful book that I very highly recomend, if you can find it.

This novel just lends itself to be read. If ever there was a more touching piece of Aurthorian fiction, I have not found it. The author creates vivid characters and landscapes that imbed themselves into the mind. Even though the reader knows the final outcome of any novel centered around King Aurthor, he will find himself on the egde of his set to see the next page.

I first read this book a number of years ago, and the characters and their stories have lingered in my mind ever since. As a writer myself, to experience this sort of haunting by a story is so rare it's remarkable. I hope the book is reprinted soon. I don't have a copy any more.

The Pendragon is a good example of the first rate historical novel genre. I have read it countless times and had to purchase two copies when the old one has fallen apart. Arthurian legend would probably draw most readers (as in my case) but after reading it they would be induced to look into Roman history, Scottish History, Irish, Pictish, Saxon, etc. What a conglomeration of encyclopaedic knowledge! I am a graduate student readying myself to teach my first college courses and I would use this book as a text book if availability and course material permitted. Excellent!

I read this book and it is practically in pieces! I'm trying to find a new copy because it was so great! Anybody interested in this time period should read this, if you don't you will not truly have read every great book dealing with this time period.

I'm a big fan of Autharian litature.This book is more like history but with all the color of ledgend. The first spark of freedom and democracy!

Slow and plodding, this is a difficult book to read; it isn't really so much a bad book as it is a pointless one. Most of the traditional elements are here with a few changes but its all been told so many times before in such better ways. If you like Arthorian legends try Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy instead (or the Once and Future King by T.H. White if you want something more traditional or Arthur Rex if you want to laugh your head off.)