About this book;
(blurb from Penguin Random House SA)
“No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of the Magicians trilogy returns with a triumphant reimagining of the King Arthur legend for the new millennium.
When gifted young knight Collum arrives at Camelot to compete for a place on the Round Table, he quickly discovers that he’s too late:The king died two weeks ago at the Battle of Camlann, and only a handful of the knights of the Round Table are left.
And the survivors aren’t the heroes of legend either, like Lancelot or Gawain. They’re the oddballs of the Round Table, like Sir Palomides, the Saracen Knight, and Sir Dagonet, Arthur’s fool, who was knighted as a joke. They’re joined by Nimue, who was Merlin’s apprentice until she turned on him and buried him under a hill.
But it’s up to them to rebuild Camelot in a world that has lost its balance, even as God abandons Britain and the fairies and old gods are returning, led by Morgan le Fay. They must reclaim Excalibur and make this ruined world whole again.
But first they’ll have to solve the mystery of why the lonely, brilliant King Arthur fell.
The first major Arthurian epic of the new millennium, The Bright Sword is a story about imperfect men and women, full of strength and pain, who are looking for a way to reforge a broken land in spite of being broken themselves.”
ISBN 9781529939132
Format Trade Paperback
Recommended Price R395.00
Published August 2024
Genre: Fantasy, Arthurian Myth
My Thoughts
My Thoughts“It has all cost so much, and come to so little. There’s so much unfinished. But I cannot stay here. I thought I could, but I was mistaken. The world is sea-changed now, and I fear I belong to the Old World. “But this world has marvels in it too. Never doubt it.” Now he looked straight at Collum. “They are of a different kind now. No one will hand them to you. You can’t pull them out of a stone, the way I did, but they’re still there. It’s not too late.”
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman offers a modern and refreshing take on the timeless tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The story follows Collum, a young man who dreams of becoming a knight. Upon reaching Camelot, he finds that King Arthur is dead, and the once-glorious Round Table is in shambles. Determined to restore the Age of Camelot, Collum embarks on an epic quest filled with angels, green knights, wizards, witches, giants, fairies, and medieval combat. Grossman weaves together mystical medieval elements, post-Roman British history, and a modern understanding of humanity, creating a fascinating adventure.
“Britain was a wounded land, cloven in two, British and Roman, pagan and Christian, Stone and Grail, north and south, old and new. It was born in blood and grief and greed, divided eternally against itself, its different natures so mixed it could never extricate itself from itself. No miracle would erase that wound either. But Britain didn’t need a miracle, or a perfect knight, or even God. It would heal all on its own, slowly, the hard way. It would always be a scarred land, a complicated land, but complicated was not the same as broken. It would never be pure or perfect, but it might still one day be whole. How do you live in a waste land? Is there really any such thing? You look for the buried seeds and deep springs. You watch the animals, the lizards and the foxes, and see how they do it. You wait. And when the land was whole, perhaps the king would be whole too. Perhaps he always was.”Grossman’s The Bright Sword is an entertaining escapist tale that skilfully combines Arthurian myths with playful humour, sharp dialogue, and complex, messy characters. It’s a tragic yet hopeful story that, despite being lengthy, offers a captivating quest filled with adventure.
“One day you will see that it is a mistake to love an empire, or a throne, or a crown, because those things cannot love. They can only die.”
What I enjoyed:
What I enjoyed:- Modern Take on Arthurian Myths: Grossman breathes new life into the ancient tales with a contemporary twist, making the mythology accessible and engaging for modern readers.
- Diverse Characters: The inclusion of LGBT characters and outsiders adds a fresh perspective to the story. Each knight’s backstory is richly developed, contributing to the narrative’s depth.
- Humour and Dialogue: The witty and sharp dialogue adds a layer of humour, making the characters relatable and the story enjoyable.
- Political and Religious Themes: The book explores significant themes such as faith, racial purity, and cultural intermingling, offering a thought-provoking read.
- Descriptive Writing: Grossman’s beautifully descriptive and emotionally charged narrative brings the world to life. The fight scenes, in particular, are vividly depicted and thrilling.
What could have been better, IMHO
- Length: At nearly 700 pages, the book can feel overly long and meandering at times. Some readers may find it challenging to maintain focus throughout.
- Pacing: The plot can be slow in parts, making it difficult to stay engaged, especially in the latter half of the book.
- Main Storyline: While the backstories of the lesser knights are intriguing, the main narrative sometimes loses momentum, detracting from the overall experience.
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman is a fun, dramatic, and imaginative retelling of the King Arthur legend. Despite its length and occasional pacing issues, the book’s rich character development, engaging humour, and thoughtful exploration of modern-day issues make it a worthwhile read. Grossman’s ability to blend historical elements with contemporary themes offers a fresh take on the familiar world of Camelot.
“Is there something you want to tell us about Merlin, Nimue?” Palomides asked. “Not really, no.” “If Merlin were free,” Dinadan said, “I bet Arthur would still be alive.” “If Merlin were such a fucking great wizard then he wouldn’t be stuck under a hill, would he?”
Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the opportunity to read this book.
About the author:
@roelia_reads What a Fabulous Friday The Penguins delivered pure class! ✨ The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman ️ #Fantasy #Retellings The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden #Thriller #Mystery Welcome to my TBR! Thank you @Penguin Random House SA ❤️ Have you seen these brand new releases in bookstores or online yet? #RoeliaReads #levgrossman #freidamcfadden #penguinrandomhousesa #bookmail ♬ The Magic Bomb (Questions I Get Asked) [Extended Mix] – Hoàng Read
