The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady [Mass Market Paperback]

Gerald Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2001

Sir Gawain and his squire Terence have set off on another adventure, only to be deterred by a surprise disaster. As a result, Gawain must meet with the invincible Green Knight in a contest that could easily be Gawain’s last.

But the road to impending death is never easy, and theirs is filled with danger and mishaps. Along the way Gawain and Terence cross paths with many odd men. Even odder creatures from the Other World will teach Terence about his past, and perhaps a little about his future. Gawain and Terence must rescue a not-too-typical damsel-in-distress, Lady Eileen, from the evil Marquis of Alva. In Lady Eileen, Terence may have met his match, in more than one way.

One thing is certain: when Gawain and Terence finally encounter the Green Knight, it will be the knight’s turn to be surprised.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Of this sequel to A Squire's Tale, based on Arthurian legend, PW said, "For those who like their adventures fast and flip, this questing comedy is good sport." Ages 12-up. (June) n
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Young Terence, squire to Sir Gawain, can't deny that things at Camelot are changing--and not for the better. Handsome new knight Sir Lancelot has eclipsed Gawain's star and also has won the heart of Queen Guinevere, sending courtiers into a gossipy frenzy, and beloved King Arthur into a depression. When the mysterious, otherworldly Green Knight issues a daunting challenge, only Gawain accepts, proving his loyalty to Arthur, though embracing potential tragedy. But the quest proves a soul-searching, ultimately rewarding personal pilgrimage. A sequel of sorts to Morris' The Squire's Tale (1998), this delightful interpretation of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" stands well on its own. The glory days of knights and quests are brought to life with humor, dimensional characters, exceptionally descriptive prose, and fresh, modern dialogue. Although Morris takes some liberties with the story line and characters--explained in a charming, informative endnote--his novel, with a skillful use of wit and drama, illustrates that heroes of life and literature are by no means diminished by human folly. Shelle Rosenfeld --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (June 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440228859
• ISBN-13: 978-0440228851
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,916,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gerald Morris grew up in Singapore, where his parents were Baptist missionaries. Singapore was a great, safe place to grow up, and he remembers that time with fond nostalgia. (Ditto for being Baptist, actually.) Since reaching adulthood, he has worked as a minister, a religion professor, a landscaper, and a teacher, all to support his predilection for writing children's novels. Or maybe the writing income supports his ministry habit.

He now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin with his wife and three kids. (Okay, one's at college and another's about to go.) There he serves as associate pastor at the First United Methodist Church, writes children's and YA novels (mostly about King Arthur), and still occasionally scapes land.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Arthurian books I've ever read., April 3, 2000

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady (The Squire's Tales) (Hardcover)

I picked this up on my second pass through the library, because Arthurian legend is not really my niche. And boy am I glad I did!

Shortly after the arrival of pretty-boy womanizer Lancelot, who immediately begins an affair with Queen Guinevere, an otherworldly knight called simply the "Green Knight" arrives to challenge one of Arthur's knights. Terence's master Gawain volunteers, and in a year must sacrifice his own life.

Along the way to pay Gawain's debt, he and Terence meet up with a bizarre bunch of people, both of this world and the Otherworld. They also pick up a young woman named Eileen, independent and sharp-tonged, before arriving at the Green Knight's abode to be taught a lesson.

Terence and Gawain are excellent characters, ironic and fresh and completely loyal to their king and country. King Arthur himself sheds the stuffiness of legend and resembles "Star Trek"'s Captain Kirk. Guinevere and Lancelot make you want to slap them, exactly as they're meant to. Eileen reminded me a great deal of Lloyd Alexander's Eilonwy, with her quick wit and mild disdain for any bumbling.

Some references are made to the previous book, which makes it slightly more confusing (first time around I wondered, "Who is Robin?") but not too much. With its mingled drama and comedy, this book is a treasure.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for anyone..., June 12, 2003

By 

Roberta Storrie (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady (The Squire's Tales) (Hardcover)

"The Squire, His Knight and His Lady" is a wonderful, enchanting book that I personally love. Mr. Morris' writing just brings every character to life, and makes you fall in love with them. Smart, sharp dialogue, great characters, well-written adventure/action scenes, romance and deceit, and even a few poignant moments are all combined into this book. Who could ask for more than that in a book?

After a confrontation with the Green Knight, Gawain and Terence set out on an adventure that may resolve in Gawain's death. Along the way, they encounter an array of quirky characters, including the witty Lady Eileen. A wonderful, surprising ending leaves the reader in awe.
ALL-AROUND EXCELLENT BOOK!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, September 12, 2003

By 

Amarantha "faeryrosemari" (Over sea under stone) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is really funny. It only reminded me a little of Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, though I have heard it called almost the same. The style of writing is extremely funny, and anyone looking for a similar style of writing should read P.C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles and Sorcery & Cecelia.
The characters were well done, and I found the attitude towards Guinevere, French Knights and Lancelot very funny. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!