Customer Reviews

The Savage Damsel And The Dwarf (The Squire's Tales)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would honestly give this book more stars if I could! Don't be deceived into thinking this is simply a kids book--whilst I thoroughly recommend it as a great read for kids and teens, it is in fact fabulous literary fodder for readers of any age, especially those with a fascination for Arthurian legends, or anyone interested in seeing Sir Thomas Malory's work Le Morte D'Arthur updated and made more accessible. This is the BEST interpretation of the tale 'The Kitchen Knight' that I have ever read (and I've read a few of them). This one actually explains all the loose ends and incomprehensible plot twists that the original version contained, and improves the story no end. Gerald Morris is a truly gifted author, and I frequently laughed out loud at the delightful, witty dialogue in this book. So enthralled was I that once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down, not even to go to sleep (my eyes were red and puffy the next day, but it was worth it!) Not only that, but as soon as I finished it, I started reading it all over again. It was just that good!

I loved the underlying premise of this story--that beauty is more than just skindeep, and that one should not choose their friends and allies just for their looks. None of the main characters in this book are what they seem, and the fun is in unravelling the mysteries surrounding them. I adored the character of Lady Lynet--she is brave, smart and not afraid to speak her mind or take chances. Furthermore, she is a big, strong girl with a healthy appetite, which makes her a very refreshing change from your usual insipid, willow-thin, eat-like-a-sparrow heroines. And although she starts out as a damsel in distress, she is never a weak and helpless girl, but rather a resourceful go-getting kind of woman. Truly, Lynet is an inspiration for girls today. I find it interesting that her character is written by a male writer. Gerald Morris obviously has a deep respect for strong, capable girls...as should we all! Lady Lynet finds her match in the dwarf, Roger, who is as interesting a character as you'll ever find, and a wonderful choice of male lead. Most authors would have cast a tall, handsome, gallant knight in shining armour as the hero of the story. Not so this author! And I'm glad. Roger is absolutely brilliant, and far more endearing than any of the knights in the book, even the great and witty Sir Gawain.

Although part 3 of a series, this book is a stand alone work that can be read independently of the others without any qualms or misunderstandings. The other reviewers who gave this five stars are right--this is an incredible, funny, intelligent book, and one not to be missed!

I very much enjoy a good adventure novel, and this one has plenty of disquised knights, corageous ladies, and magical sidekicks. Lynet leaves her home at the castle Perle to request Arthur's help in freeing her family from a troublesome knight. Unfortunately, the only help she can muster is a kitchen hand with a name that means "beautiful hands." She also encounters a helpful dwarf named Roger who gladly accompanies her on her quest. The travellers meet many original characters and old friends that make an appearance from Morris's other novels, A Squire's Tale and A Squire, His Knight and His Lady. A novel for anyone who likes an adventure, it also contains an inkling of romance. I read parts of it over and over!

Lady Lynet, younger sister of the beautiful Lyonesse, finds that her castle is besieged by a fierce, recreant knight who is determined to have Lyonesse's hand in marriage. So, Lynet mounts a horse, determined to go to Camelot and beg King Arthur to send a knight to rescue them. Along the way, she falls in with a dwarf named Roger, a man of very little fighting ability. At Camelot, no knight will take up her cause, but only a kitchen knave, name Beaumains. Together, the three head back towards Cornwall. In the rest of the book, Lynet learns that there is more to the people around her than meets the eye.

This book was quite entertaining, and is written in an easy to read style. I really enjoyed the way it began to spin off surprise after surprise late in the book. I have not read any other of Gerald Morris' other books, but I now intend to!

For the purists, this novel does not portray a "realistic" Fifth Century Arthur, but is an example of a High Medieval, chivalric Arthur.

Each book in this series is a genuine pleasure to read! If you enjoy good fantasy, yet shy away from the Arthurian legends, please give these books a try. They are full of all the great fantasy features: quests, battles, damsels, knights, dwarves, sorcery, etc, yet do not bog you down with a confusing cast of characters.They are also written with a wonderful humorous flair, as well as a touch of romance. Just a lot of fun!

I figured that this book couldn't be as good as the previous two, if Gawain and Terence have minimal roles. But instead we have a few of the holes filled into their lives in the forms of a mysterious dwarf named Roger and a fiery young woman named Lynet.

Quite annoyingly, a killer knight has appointed himself the champion of Lynet's sister, Lyonesse. Lyonesse is an air-headed, blonde ditz, while plain Lynet sets off to King Arthur's court to find a champion-without revealing who she is. She ends up taking a fancy-talking kitchen boy to do battle with the knight, but virtually everyone she meets has a strange secret...

Lynet is a glorious heroine, a gal who is unafraid to threaten someone with a spear or venture to Camelot. Roger is wit incarnate, with a very surprising secret at his core. And you MUST read more about King Arthur.

Some of the favorite characters return, including the excellent Morgan le Fay, who teaches Lynet some excellent lessons. It also teaches the quality of a good heart above a pretty face.

Wow! This book is really amazing and I read it nearly once a week. If you like fantasy or mythology, you should definitely read this. I've read the first two books in the series, and this one is just as good. I love anything about medieval times and knights and stuff, but this book was better than most. I especially liked the Pink Knight and his four colorful brothers. They were really funny! Anyway, this book is perfect if you like The Book of Three or Dealing with Dragons, or books like that. Just read this book immediately!

This was the first book I ever read by Gerald Morris and it's what got me to read the others. I loved Lynet, with her fiery temper, bravery, and humor. Roger was hilarious though I though that beumains guy was a dork. Lyonesse was a grade A ditz. I loved this book and all the others. I hope he writes more!

I don't normally like YA fantasy (anymore...I used to love it, when I was a YA), but this book was absolutely delightful. It's a vaguely Arthurian tale of a strong young woman who sets off to find a way out of 'family problems' (a brute who's in love with her sister has the family under siege in their home). She arrives at King Arthur's castle seeking aid, only to be assigned a kitchen boy as a champion. Does she inevitably fall in love with the handsome kitchen boy? Yes. Is that the end of the story? Not even close.

What I like best about this writer's style is the character development over the course of the story. No one is who they were assumed to be at the beginning--sometimes literally (there is at least one enchantment and two or three people living incognito), but more often simply because their personalities are fleshed out, elaborated, and often changed by events and by each other over the course of the entire book. Sometimes a character you like surprises you with a spate of pigheadedness; sometimes a handsome man who is smart with a sword turns out not to be smart in other ways. In the end we know these characters like we know our friends: we accept their shortcomings even as we admire their good points.

Morris has a gift for dialogue, and in reading kids' reviews of his books, what you see most is the word 'funny': humor seems to be a necessary ingredient in his novels. Fun, light, easy-to-read, not the least bit historical (but who cares?), and utterly involving. I highly recommend this book to anyone who values these characteristics.

I love this book. I really, really love this book - there's something about the understated humour which appeals to me more than almost anything I've ever come across. I won't write a plot overview, since the other reviews have already done that, I only wanted to add my approval. By far the best of the Morris books (although I haven't read Dinidan or the Princess and Crone - if only he was in print in Australia). I'm almost sick with laughter every time I read the Knight of the Rose scene.

The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf is a humorous tale of love, character, and questing set around King Arthur's court. The main character is Lynet, an intelligent young woman whose not-so-bright sister, Lyonesse, is in a bit of a pickle. An ambitious knight by the name of Red Lands is trying to win Lyon's love by slaying every suitor that comes her way. Finally, Lynet can take no more, and she goes to Camelot to ask for assistance. The only problem is that Lynet's father died defying King Arthur. Though she's afraid of what might await her, Lynet goes anyway.

On her quest, she meets Roger the Dwarf, who helps her on the way to Camelot, as well as through the events afterwards. She also meets Beaumains, a kitchen boy who agrees to help her in her quest.(for all you Morris buffs, there is a short appearance by Terence and Eileen, Sir Gawain's squire and his lady friend). Will Lynet succeed in ridding her home of the abominable Knight of the Red Lands? Are Roger and Beaumains really all they seem to be? These are just a few of the questions that go through the reader's mind as they read this incredible story.

Like most of Gerald Morris' books, The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf is full with humor that doesn't require the reader to have read Morris' other books, or to have much knowledge of Arthurian legends. As a matter of fact, quite a bit of it is slightly reminiscent of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, except that Morris' story actually follows the Arthurian legend that it's based upon, and the humor isn't quite so silly. There's really something for everyone here. Romantics, cynics, and Arthur buffs are all going to be satisfied.