This lively collection of retellings, drawing on the medieval Welsh
texts and written in accessible language, presents many strands of
the legendary King Arthurs story in a way which nine to thirteen
year olds in particular would find enjoyable. Bright ink-wash
illustrations feature, providing energetic character sketches and
tableaux of incidents as well as placing the legends in a supposed
historical context. Episodes focus on events from the complex
circumstances of Arthurs birth, emergence from obscurity by
drawing the sword from the stone, heroic deeds and the mystery of
his death and possible return to save his people from danger 'to
bring honour to his country and to his language'. These individual
elements are satisfying in themselves but as they race along they
come together to create a vivid tapestry of battles and victories
against the Saxons, of quests and bloody pursuits interspersed with
codes of honour, Celtic transformations and magic. The main
emphasis is on action: the tale of Culhwchs quest for Olwen,
daughter of Ysbaddaden Chief Giant, and the hunting of the
marauding Twrch Trwyth by Arthurs knights is told with energy; the
Guinevere and Lancelot thread is omitted. This is a predominantly
male world peopled by brave knights and individuals with special
skills and abilities which would over-shadow contemporary Marvel
comic characters, a vital world particularly attractive to boy
readers. The Legends of King Arthur more than merits its place on
bookshelves.
*M. Lorna Herbert Egan @ www.gwales.com*
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