I think I like it more as I get older, and see it quoted all over the place. The lines are lovely, the rhythm soothing, even if there's not much t1982
I think I like it more as I get older, and see it quoted all over the place. The lines are lovely, the rhythm soothing, even if there's not much there. I think it's funny that Lancelot is described, but not The Lady....more
I don't remember anything about this, except what happens to Merlin, which may not even be part of this book.****1994 The Crystal Cave - Mary Stewart
I don't remember anything about this, except what happens to Merlin, which may not even be part of this book.****1994 Jul 16It's been at least thirty years since I read this. Since then I've read a great many retellings of the Arthurian legend, which I don't think would have come if not for this. Marion Zimmer Bradley didn't copy this at all, but Stewart, as far as I know, set the precedent for an ancient magic largely based on herbalism, and some sort of real precognition.Off to a good start.****2008 Oct 25I enjoyed this a great deal. I like the time she set the story, it is Arthurian not Medieval. It was hard to believe I'd ever read this before. I didn't remember a thing. Who knows, maybe I read The Last Enchantment and just thought I'd read The Crystal Cave. Fun, but not great literature. The focus on Merlin made for a nice twist. I like it that he has no powers other than an infrequent foretelling. This Merlin is a trained engineer, a learned man, who seems like a magician to the ignorant. That said, it falls away. I finished it less than forty-eight hours ago, and already it seems dim. Maybe I should try rereading Touch Not the Cat. Maybe that would stick better.
In The True Meaning of Smekday, Rex brought scifi to kids in a fun, clever way. Now he's done it with fantasy. There are unicorns, and unicats, a leprIn The True Meaning of Smekday, Rex brought scifi to kids in a fun, clever way. Now he's done it with fantasy. There are unicorns, and unicats, a leprechaun, a pooka, all kinds of magical beings among the Faeries of old, there's a bit of Arthurian lore, and several clever modern kids trying to work it all out. I loved it, especially Biggs.
The only thing wrong with this book is that it ends, and I have to wait I don't know how long for another one.
I was seventeen when I first read this, and I don't care what flaws it may have, I still love it.I was seventeen when I first read this, and I don't care what flaws it may have, I still love it....more
Overall I'd say I prefer stories about heroes who become, rather than who are chosen. But if it the author is relying on fate, how better than to use Overall I'd say I prefer stories about heroes who become, rather than who are chosen. But if it the author is relying on fate, how better than to use time travelers and incorporate all the myths of the British Isles?
The compressed time period of the winter holidays works well. I like that Will has a close and involved family, parents included, such that the author had to take him outside of time to be in any danger. The story is well-paced, the villains ambiguous, and the whole thing is enormous fun. Winter solstice to Twelfth Night, and filled with snow, it comes across, and I mean this in the best possible way, as a Christmas episode of Dr. Who.
It does get rather dull: the book covers sixteen years or so, most of which are spent on horseback traveling between places named Caer Something that It does get rather dull: the book covers sixteen years or so, most of which are spent on horseback traveling between places named Caer Something that I could never keep straight. I liked the stuff about the horses, and how war horses differ from regular horses, and the breeding of horses, and how many horses it takes to support how many people, and so forth. If military logistics don't interest you, or horses, the book won't hold much appeal.
As a feminist version of Arthurian saga there are things I quite liked about it: the integrated military, the fight training, the farm management (just typing this makes me feel like the dullest person ever). I really liked that Sulien ap Gwien is such a prickly character, who only gets along with other people in a bluff, military sort of way. She's very good at what she does, and she's smart enough to recognize a trap, and she's smart enough to stay well away from the politics and religion and relationships that don't appeal to her.
But still, that's a hell of a long time to be slogging around a small rainy island waiting for things to happen. I'll read the next book just to see what she does with it, but I can't imagine these will ever be my favorite Walton books.
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