From Publishers Weekly
The second volume of Woolley's Arthurian trilogy ( Child of the Northern Spring ) follows Guinevere from the second to the 10th year of her marriage to King Arthur. In this vivid, colorful and homey retelling, Guinevere is a caring and faithful wife and queen, deeply in love with her husband and despairing of her childlessness. As Arthur and his men strive to unify Britain and preserve it from invading Saxons, the various Companions are shown as courageous but all-too-human warriors and courtiers. Lancelot, the king's chief advisor, is cold to the queen, but when he serves as her champion after she is accused of attempted murder, this hostility is dispelled. Loyalty and their mutual love for Arthur keeps them from succumbing to desire. Morgan le Fay, Arthur's half sister, lusts for the crown; her machinations lie behind many of the troubles that afflict the royal couple, a fact Arthur is slow to accept. Other figures of legend, limned with clearly defined personalities, work out their destinies--Gawain and Ragnell, Merlin and Nimue, the two Elaines, Tristan, Isolde and King Mark. Faintly intimated in this volume is the tragedy that will finally strike. BOMC and QPB alternates; Preferred Choice Book Plan main selection.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Guinevere continues her story begun in Child of the Northern Spring , picking it up in the early years of her marriage to King Arthur and stopping after Mordred's arrival at court and Lancelot's departure. Through her eyes, the reader sees the marriage and the kingdom take shape, experiences her kidnapping, and observes the romance of Tristan and Isolde. The stories are familiar, but the suspense is in learning how they are to be related. The individuals are not drawn larger than life or made mystical. Arthur is often aloof, preoccupied with his own concerns. Guinevere's relationship with Lancelot develops slowly and believably. The prose is richly textured, evoking the sights and sounds of castle and countryside, the qualities of knight and of servant. Highly recommended. BOMC and Quality Paperback Book Club alternates.
- Ellen Kaye Stoppel, Drake Univ. Law Lib., Des MoinesCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
