Grail, by Stephen Lawhead
This is the fifth book in the Pendragon Cycle, and sadly the second to last book. Grail picks up right where Pendragon left off. Arthur is hale and whole due to the miraculous intervention of the Grail cup. He decides that he must build a shrine to house the Grail so that pilgrims and those in need can come and be healed. For Arthur, this truly is the start of the Kingdom of Summer, and his happiness and zeal knows no bounds. Everyone is caught up and dragged along in Arthur’s fervor and joy. But even thought the Vandali have been conquered and subdued, evil still walks the land, and its name is Morgian. Bitter and hateful as ever, Morgian will give anything to bring down Arthur and Merlin. But not only does she want them to die, she wishes them to taste defeat, despair, betrayal, and ultimately die hopeless and cursing their God. For she is clever as she is beautiful, and as deeply evil as the sun is bright.
I am always impressed anew with Lawhead’s writing ability whenever I read his books. He can master the heights of happiness, and the depths of despair. He is not afraid to hurt his characters, for they live in a real world which death is a part of, and evil is always present. He makes you care for his characters, and then he causes terrible events to happen in which they are tested beyond all endurance. I do not even want to hint what terrible things happen in Grail, for although they are bitter to swallow the idea behind them is worthwhile and true. Now that sounds kind of strange and semi-mystical, but Lawhead is not always as much concerned with a happy ending as a good ending.
Grail is a good book. It is horrifying, sad, and bitter but it is also beautiful. It is not easy to read because of all the terrible occurrences, but great beauty is more easily seen in the midst of pain. It is not always a pleasant book, but it is worthwhile. I cannot seem to find much to say about it other than generals, but I hope what I have told you gives you the true sense of what the book is filled with.
If I could ask Stephen Lawhead one question about Grail, it would be: Who built that first Grail Chapel in the midst of Llyonesse?
I am always impressed anew with Lawhead’s writing ability whenever I read his books. He can master the heights of happiness, and the depths of despair. He is not afraid to hurt his characters, for they live in a real world which death is a part of, and evil is always present. He makes you care for his characters, and then he causes terrible events to happen in which they are tested beyond all endurance. I do not even want to hint what terrible things happen in Grail, for although they are bitter to swallow the idea behind them is worthwhile and true. Now that sounds kind of strange and semi-mystical, but Lawhead is not always as much concerned with a happy ending as a good ending.
Grail is a good book. It is horrifying, sad, and bitter but it is also beautiful. It is not easy to read because of all the terrible occurrences, but great beauty is more easily seen in the midst of pain. It is not always a pleasant book, but it is worthwhile. I cannot seem to find much to say about it other than generals, but I hope what I have told you gives you the true sense of what the book is filled with.
If I could ask Stephen Lawhead one question about Grail, it would be: Who built that first Grail Chapel in the midst of Llyonesse?
posted by Tai Schutz | Sunday, November 05, 2006
1 Comments:
I've read and loved Taliesin, Merlin and Arthur. However, I stopped reading Pendragon because it felt like an add on (like so many successful series have) and didn't seem to be up to the standard of the first three.
Did you find that at all and would you consider it worth going back and persevering through Pendragon and Grail.
Thanks and God Bless,
Michael
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