THE ROAD TO AVALON

by Joan Wolf ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 24, 1988

Look for no swords embedded in stone, no desperate love triangles in this retelling of the Arthurian legend by a writer whose previous historicals have been brought out as paperback originals. Instead, Wolf recasts the tale we know so well as the story of Arthur's ongoing devotion to Morgan (elsewhere called Le Fay), here his half-aunt, Merlin's daughter, with whom he grows up and is later tied through telecommunication. Uther, Arthur's father, names the boy to succeed him just before the Battle of Glein, which young Arthur handily wins with his newly formed cavalry. After he's crowned, he yearns to marry Morgan, but is prevented due to the semi-incestuous nature of their relationship. Still, Morgan secretly bears him a son--Mordred, here no villain, just a confused and too tractable boy. When the Britons demand an heir, Arthur drags his heels to meet the beautiful Welsh princess, Gwenhwyfar, at the altar, then condones her affair with his best friend, Bedwry. For years Camelot is a kind of Peyton Place, with Gwenhwyfar snatching trysts with Bedwry, and Arthur routinely calling on Morgan, the Lady of Avalon. Then a Celtic rebellion erupts, hatched by cousin Agravaine and Mordred, leading to Arthur's death by spear. Wolf interestingly paints Arthur as a Roman Briton, and imaginatively intuits the course of a number of ancient battles, like the one at Badon Hill. Her book is sturdy, but lacking the glow either of magic or ill-fated love.

Pub Date: Aug. 24, 1988

ISBN: 155652658X

Page Count: -

Publisher: New American Library

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1988

Categories: FICTION