THE JOY OF THE COURT

by Constance -- Retold by Hieatt ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 1971

Once again Miss Hieatt creates an absorbing drama from Arthurian legend. And again it is not only a story of chivalry and magic but of human frailty as well. Erec, having avenged an insult to the Queen's maid and found a lovely bride, is nevertheless mocked in Arthur's court for cowardice: he would rather stay with Enid than hunt or joust. Further, Enid weeps that she has brought him shame. The two begin a chain of adventures during which his demands for silence and obedience are repeatedly and gently challenged by her concern for his safety. He outfights three men, then five, the mighty Guivret the Little and two giants, obstinately refusing care for his wounds. He dies, but only for a short while, time enough for Enid to show her grief and for a covetous knight to appear. When Erec ""rises,"" there is comic relief in the fright of the stable boy, etc. along with more serious apologies for the mistreated Enid. The last episode involves dissolution of a sleep-inducing mist in the Eden-like garden of a knight whose love story is in cautious counterpoint to Erec's own. Enduring entertainment, more intriguing (and more mature) than Barbara Schiller's recent Erec and Enid (1970, p. 1158, J-470).

Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: T. Y. Crowell

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1971

Categories: NONFICTION