Customer Reviews

The Winter Prince

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an amazing, gorgeous little gem of a book, with surprisingly complex characters and shades of moral ambiguity for a YA book (or a lot of adult novels, for that matter) -- which is not to say I don't think YA books can be complicated, but they rarely are in this way.

It's a quick read, and compelling. Medraut, the illegitimate son of Artos the king, returns from his travels in Africa and elsewhere to watch over his younger half-brother, Lleu. Medraut doesn't know if he loves or hates Lleu, and matters are complicated by his relationship with his mother/aunt Morgause. Morgause here is...more of a piece of work than usual, even, possibly the most disturbing literary representation of her that I've ever read -- it's a testament to Wein's writing skills that I even sympathized a little with her at one point.

Goewin, Lleu's twin sister, also warrants a mention -- her interaction with Medraut in particular is fascinating.

In fact, one of the things I liked the most was how even when he was managing to be loyal and good, Medraut's darker qualities weren't magically gone, merely held at bay. I also found Medraut's refusal to lie, ever, interesting.

One of the most unique, beautiful, and compelling takes on the Arthurian legends I've read in a long time. I wholeheartedly recommend it. It's unfortunate that it's going out of print again. I would suggest snapping up a copy for yourself and at least one copy to loan out.

"The Winter Prince" is a beautiful, haunting, vivid book. I could go on at length with complimentary adjectives, but instead, a few things that make it stand out:

The relationships. I read the last few chapter with my heart actually pounding; the book has enough tension that it would need an army of masseuses (or a fascinating climactic scene) to smooth out the wrinkles.

The main character. Every once in a while I come across a character who seems startlingly, refreshingly unique. Sulien of Jo Walton's THE KING'S PEACE and THE KING'S NAME was one, and Medraut is another.

The voice. THE WINTER PRINCE is beautifully written, but more interesting, to me, is the thread of second person that runs through it, from Medraut to Morgause. I'm a sucker for interesting uses of second person, and this one fits the story perfectly.

This book made me care about its characters, and then it made me glad I cared. I can't think of any higher recommendation.

As soon as I read this book I fell in love with it. The characters were powerfully written, especially Merdraut. I hope Elizabeth Wein writes a sequel because I can't believe this is the end.

One of the most amazing books I have ever read is The Winter Prince by Elizabeth Wein. The characters in this book are so real that it almost makes the reader feel like he or she could just reach out and touch them. I found myself inside the plot- being Medraut and feeling his utter confusion. He was torn repeatedly between his affection for his father and brother and his strange, rebellious devotion to his mother. The author had a very compelling way of expressing the envy and love of Medraut for his half brother Lleu, a way that seemed almost to justify both sides and bring the reader even further into the story. I had a sort of breathless awe when I put the book down several months ago. I haven't read it since then but often I am reminded of its subtle power that I am sure would make a blockbuster movie.

I love this book and can't believe it's actually out of print. The author's spin on Medraut/Mordred-I wouldn't say it's original, because turning the bad guy into a sympathetic character has been done before, but it's probably the most successful attempt I've ever seen. Especially given the fact that the character base is so firmly established as bad. I actually found it very difficult to even like Lieu, since he was highly privileged and Medraut was so damaged by his parents(yes, by his father, too. How could he possibly leave his son with a woman like that?). He tries to go against the bent his life has put into him, only to be constantly rebuffed. Frivolous pop culture reference: Medraut reminds me very much of Lex Luthor from Smallville. Raised by a sadistic parent, treated with incessant suspicion, finally gives in and behaves the way everyone expects him to. Anyway, great, great book. Sequels aren't quite as engaging(and I'd love another book from Medraut's perspective), but they are definitely worth your time.

All the feelings inside burst with those words. What a story, what a passion! I just cried when I read it. Bravo to Ms. Wein \(^o^ )/

I won't recite any summary here since it's already been done. I thought I would never ever want to pick anything related with Arthurian legend since it has been depicted many times through movies. But voila!! This book is not talking on the legend, but about the people, especially Medraut, which is considered the irony antagonist, being the high king's first born but not the heir to the throne.

If I hated Medraut in Arthurian movies (The Mist of Avalon, The First Knight, etc), I LOVE this Medraut. I care what he felt, why he did this/that. It was such a feat! Food for mind!

I'm off to pick up Coalition.

This is the only book I have ever read that made me cry. It is so beautiful, so splendid, and so so human. Medraut is a young man who is torn in three directions- his loyalties for Artos or Morgause, and to himself. He is a young man whose entire life has been one of mental and physical abuse, inflicted by Morgause and even by himself. He is torn by jealousy of his new half-brother Lleu, who is heir to the throne and who has a clean birthright- something which Medraut has yearned for all his life. The book is spellbinding, it shines like gold. This is a book I have reread dozens of times, and it never fails to make me wonder how it is possible to write in such a way.

This is a well written and engaging book but very disturbing for a "young adult" level book. The main character, Medraut, is a child of incest who is mentally and emotionally abused by his mother. There are hints that he might also have been sexually abused. He is trying to gain the approval of his father while trying to break away from his mother, Morgause, - yet at the same time he still wishes her approval. There are hints that he is sexually attracted to his mother, for example, he writes, "you (Morgause) stopped behind me to examine the game, and as you stood there you brushed the tips of your fingers against the back of my neck. Such a curious thrill of mixed delight and repulsion ran through my body that my arms broke out in gooseflesh" He's also torn about his feelings of jealousy/love for his half brother and sister. There is a scene in the book where he passionately kisses his half-sister to show her why she can't completely trust him and in what way he could hurt her. There are also hints that he is sexually attracted to his half brother, for example, when his kisses his half brother on the mouth and talks about his beauty. After reading this book I did not want my teen aged children to read it - though I did recommend the sequel "A coalition of Lions" to them.

This is my favorite Arthurian novel, hands down. It's a gem of a novel with a deceptively simple plot told in spare, fluid prose that infuses both characters and themes with dignity and grace, and great beauty.

Though most novels that deal with the Camelotian/Arthurian mythos struggle to maintain focus on both the larger picture of politics and religion and legend while not losing sight of the smaller interpersonal relationship picture, Wein avoids this by focusing her taut, simple, flowing novel on the relationships between the characters rather than on politics or religion.

This is not to say that politics and religion are ignored in this novel, but the main focus is on the characters, which are sharply and clearly drawn, as is the tangled web of the relationships that link them. Wein's Medraut is one of the most beautiful characters I have ever read in print; talented, competent, intense, and deeply bitter, not because he's hungry for power, (although there is an element of desire for greater responsibility in Medraut), but more because he's envious of his half-brother Lleu, Artos's son and heir to the realm.

In this story, it's not greed or ambition that drives Medraut to vie for power with his half-brother -- it's jealousy. Jealousy may seem like a petty reason to align oneself politically against one's father and brother, but jealousy, personal jealousy that has not a lot to do with one's career prospects or political ambition but more to do with being loved by one's parents, is an essential part of a sibling relationship. Jacob and Esau had it, as did Cain and Abel. Wein's novel beautifully illustrates the way in which small slights slowly simmer into true anger over the course of years.

Not only does jealousy figure into the relationship between Medraut and his half-brother, but also into the relationship between Morgause, Queen of the Orcades, and her brother Artos, High King. Interestingly, Wein plays down the possible rivalry between Morgause and Ginevra (otherwise known as Guinevere) over Artos's love, and absolutely pulverizes the whole Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot triangle by simply eliminating Lancelot. The resulting tale is a taut, fluid, beautiful examination of the heights and the depths to which revenge and envy can take us, and the deep and abiding love that often underlies even the most conflict-laden family relationships.

I also want to mention that the novel incorporates technology in a rather clever and subtle way. In Wein's Camlan, there are many ways to distinguish oneself -- one could of course go the traditional route and be an excellent swordsman, but one could also be an excellent hunter, rider, mapmaker, diplomat, farmer, or engineer. All of the above trades are portrayed as more or less equally valuable, which is unique in Camelotian novels; most novels tend to overemphasize the importance of swordsplay and other military talents, along with chivalry. You don't often see, as you do in The Winter Prince, such a high premium placed on non-military engineering, mapmaking, or translation, all of which are skills that a good ruler might well value highly.

I do like the way Welsh myth (drawn from sources such as the Mabinogi) plays into the novel. There's a tendency, I think, to tie Arthur to Christianity and the Crusades; that doesn't happen here. There's a little bit of Revelation that does get mentioned in one scene, but overall the book is tied more to the Lleu Llaw Gyffes mythos than to Christian tradition, which makes for (what I think) a more interesting novel.

Finally, it's worth noting that the characters in Wein's novel are quite cosmopolitan, within the bounds of their technology and medieval timeperiod. They know Africa exists; they know of the Romans, who bequeathed to them technological gems, like the aqueduct and the arch. They're not ignorant of Greek myth or of Christianity; it exists in tandem with the native religions of Britain (which is, thankfully, not portrayed as the earth-friendly Druidic peaceful pagan religion that's become so cliche now in retellings of Arthurian myth. Personally, I blame Bradley for that). Medraut himself is well-travelled and his grasp of the world encompasses not only Britain and the Orcades, but other nations and other cultures as well. It's refreshing to see such cosmopolitanism incorporated into such a uniquely British story, and it only adds to the book's savor.

The Winter Prince is a rare novel, beautiful and intricate, deep and powerful, with spare and intense prose. I'd highly recommend it.

This book is incredibly good. Elizabeth Wein has written a book with an interesting plot, stunningly well-developed characters, and just enough emotion. The rivalry between Medraut and Lleu is portrayed accurately, and even the supporting characters have distinct personalities. The climax is exciting and satisfying. I'd recommend this book to everyone. I can't wait to get the sequel.