In which I cater to the whims of my core audience

[kylezy]

Day 13 → a fictional book





From Publishers Weekly

Though usually portrayed as the worm in the bud that was Camelot, Mordred, the illegitimate offspring of King Arthur and sorceress Morgan le Fay, gets sympathetic treatment in Clegg's revisionist Arthurian fantasy, the first in a projected trilogy. Born into exile on the Isle of Glass, the young Mordred knows his father only through the stories bitter elders tell of Arthur's theft of Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. Mordred flourishes under the instruction of his mother and the wizard Merlin, but he's distracted from his education in druidic mysteries by his adolescent passion for a hermit living in the nearby wilds. That hermit's identity, coupled with a transgression that alienates Mordred from his community by the novel's end, all point to the inexorable destiny that shapes the tale's events and tinges them with pathos.

I picked this book up not long after I started the Merlin tv series. I was looking for something Arthurian but unexpected and that's what I got. It's a gentle, poetic read and a great retelling of the story.

From the author

Fans of King Arthur legends, particularly alternative ones, of slash fiction, of gay novels as well as those novels not classified as "gay," will enjoy this story. I wrote it for everyone who loves an exploration of a legend through adventure, mysticism, and even a good battle or two.

So there you go, 90% of my friends list should appreciate it. READ IT!

Comments

[a_shadow_there.livejournal.com]

That sounds so cool. I'm always a sucker for tales re-told from a different perspective (or told in a super-fantastic way - OH HELLO ANGELA CARTER'S 'THE BLOODY CHAMBER').

[kylezy.livejournal.com]

What story is that a re-telling of?

[a_shadow_there.livejournal.com]

It's a collection of short stories - they're kind of like feminist subversions of fairytales and they are fabulous. Carter is an amazing writer (was, I should say).

[kylezy.livejournal.com]

*Flails* ACE ICON!

Would you recommend Carter? I'm looking for cool new things to read.

[a_shadow_there.livejournal.com]

I absolutely would! I only say "was" because she's a bit, you know, dead.

I'd also rec Jeannette Winterson, if you've not read her before. 'Sexing the Cherry' is awesome :P

Ooh! And Lian Hearn's 'Tales of the Otori' seris is excellent, as well.

[kylezy.livejournal.com]

I will check these out for sure, thank you so much!

[mywholecry.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. My grandmother used to buy me those YA fantasy novels like I Am Mordred (http://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Mordred-Tale-Camelot/dp/0698118413), and this sounds like a really, really amazing version of those, which were a very large (and kind of poorly written) part of my childhood. Also, adolescent passion for a hermit living in the nearby wilds sounds like it couldn't be anything but wonderful.

[kylezy.livejournal.com]

I definitely recommend you give it a read!

[openmoments.livejournal.com]

I APPRECIATE and also the most important on previously mentioned friends list.

-adds to 'to-read' list-

Why do I not keep reading?

[kylezy.livejournal.com]

Well, well. Someone is awfully cocky then, aren't they? Dance for my affection, monkey, dance! :P

Reeeead it!

[openmoments.livejournal.com]

You know that I'm pretty much one of the most ridiculously awesome people you know. Don't even try to deny it, cause that would be so so so wrong and bad. :)


I willllllllll.

[carnivors.livejournal.com]

i think i will need to check this out

[kylezy.livejournal.com]

I think you will too!