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3rd out of 297 books
—
876 voters
Merlin Trilogy (Arthurian Saga)
by
Mary Stewart
The prophetic voice of Merlin, the mysterious enchanter of Arthurian legend, has completed his story. Written over a period of ten years, Mary Stewart's three best-selling novels now stand together in one volume - the finest work of her distinguished career.
Hers is the most extended portrait in all literature in this compelling figure of Dark Age myth and history. Merlin,
...moreHardcover, 928 pages
Published
December 1st 1980
by Harper Voyager
(first published 1979)
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Besides the Lord of the Rings, this was probably the first real fantasy trilogy that I read. I've gone back and read it many times since then, and I think it will always be one of my standards for excellent fantasy.
There's something about Mary Stewart's Merlin that is just captivating. He's flawed, enigmatic, strong, admirable, calculating, naive, and wonderfully human. I confess I've always been a little in love with him. Mary Stewart makes his growth from child to the wise old Merlin so believ...more
There's something about Mary Stewart's Merlin that is just captivating. He's flawed, enigmatic, strong, admirable, calculating, naive, and wonderfully human. I confess I've always been a little in love with him. Mary Stewart makes his growth from child to the wise old Merlin so believ...more
A fascinating spin on the same old King Arthur story. Stewart focuses on Merlin as the main character in this series, starting with his young years as a bastard and continuing through his demise shortly into Arthur's reign. Stewart's strength was in bringing these so well-known characters to life and giving them depth. Her weakness was incredibly slow pacing. Yes, we knew what was going to happen, but that doesn't make the story completely unimportant. Foreshadowing was well-used, between Merlin...more
Oct 16, 2011
Joan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Adults, young teens, preteens above age 13
I first read this series thirty years ago and loved it. I loved it all the more as I read it this year! Stewart's Arthur and Merlin are set in 6th century Britain with all the mystical gods, godesses, and emergence of Christianity that came with the withdrawel of the Romans from that island country. Arthur is shown as the inheritor of the Sword of Maximus through his father, Uther Pendragon; nevertheless, Arthur is reared as a bastard who comes into his inheritance just before the death of his f...more
I read this trilogy about Merlin many years ago, and since I was in a King Arthur mood, I decided to reread them. Mary Stewart does a great job making Merlin a real person and fleshing the legend into a full and realistic story. I especially liked reading the author's notes in the back of the books explaining her source materials. The Crystal Cave is probably my favorite, which tells of Merlin's growing up years and coming into his powers. The Hollow Hills explores his stewardship of young Arthu...more
Loved this book, though it is out of my normal interest line. Well written, and interesting enough that I could not put it down. The fact that it was a book on King Arthur that I happened into made me buy all of Mary Stewart's Merlin Series:
1.) The Crystal Cave (1970)
2.) The Hollow Hills (1973)
3.) The Last Enchantment (1979)
4.) The Wicked Day (1983)
5.) The Prince and the Pilgrim (1995)
1.) The Crystal Cave (1970)
2.) The Hollow Hills (1973)
3.) The Last Enchantment (1979)
4.) The Wicked Day (1983)
5.) The Prince and the Pilgrim (1995)
I love this book (these books). I've read them multiple times, starting as a teenager. It's a different take on the Arthurian legend, told from Merlin's perspective. Mary Stewart did a great deal of research to write these books and her notes are every bit as interesting as the tale itself. As a child, I was particularly taken by her care with names, both of character and place.
It's also worth noting that most of her villans are not the same as they were in the Arthurian legend you may be famil...more
It's also worth noting that most of her villans are not the same as they were in the Arthurian legend you may be famil...more
It took me some time to get through this trilogy (only a little because I kept looking for my red pen to mark mistakes in this edition), but mostly because it was very episodic and covered such a long time period following Merlin from when he was a young boy until he died. I loved the story- appreciated the historical aspects- and was thrilled by the twists and turns of the plot.
Favorite passage:
It may perhaps seem strange that a prophet who had seen Arthur's crowning so plain and clear and ri...more
Favorite passage:
It may perhaps seem strange that a prophet who had seen Arthur's crowning so plain and clear and ri...more
1 like · like · see review
This series puts a very touching, very human face to the ancient Merlin story, as the legendary magician faces the trials of discovering and developing his own power, and later as he grooms the young Arthur Pendragon to assume the throne and unite a kingdom after the chaos following the fall of the Roman Empire. The story traces Merlin's journey from boyhood through the height of his reknown, and even into his twilight years as he settles into 'retirement', and discovers that it is never too lat...more
I enjoyed this book very much. Actually three books in one, Stewart does an excellent job walking us through the Aurthurian legends from Merlin's point of view. We get to know Merlin in a way not possible with other versions of the tale. Knowing the basic plotline, I was intrigued by many of the subplots and sidestories so prevalent in these three volumes. The characters are well-rounded, and I found myself liking some characters and disliking others, much the way I did with "Pillars of the Eart...more
I first read this series many years ago, including the sequel, The Wicked Day in which the Arthurian legend comes full-circle with the story of Arthur's bastard son Mordred. I found her approach to the legend very fascinating. I have since reread them at least twice (I have the hardbound set), and enjoyed them immensely each time.
Some reviewers have noted the "slow" pacing of these novels, and they do, indeed, move more slowly than many modern readers prefer. For me, however, Mary Stewart's incr...more
Some reviewers have noted the "slow" pacing of these novels, and they do, indeed, move more slowly than many modern readers prefer. For me, however, Mary Stewart's incr...more
Oh how I love these books! The King Arthur legend is one that will always be close to my heart and Mary Steward does an excellent job bringing it to life in these books.
I know this series of old having read it, I think, over 30 years ago. I was enchanted then and still enchanted by it now.I don't think of it as light and fluffy, or romantic and farfetched, although there is some sorcery, it is not "dungeon and dragons" or your normal sword and sorcery romp. Mary Stewart catches an atmosphere which is very compelling and her characters jump from the page. That I grew up around and knew some of the places in which the story is set does add to my enjoyment, but I...more
Three top-notch works of fiction. Stewart has written the Arthurian legend from Merlin's point of view, beginning with Merlin's boyhood in Wales and his service to Ambrosius, the brother of Uther Pendragon. This is gripping fiction, written with an exception knowledge of the underlying legends and personal knowledge of the landscape, customs, and people of old Britain. Read The Crystal Cave first, then The Hollow Hills, and finally The Last Enchantment. She completed the tale later with the stor...more
Each book was interesting and the story moved, but all filtered through Merlin. So, everything felt academic, bloodless, ever in anticipation but never really arriving. That worked for these books, since I knew the Wicked Day was coming and I expected it all to come together. In the meantime, Merlin went from standard-fantasy-device-of-nonstandard-birth-and-the-attendant-challenges-to-revelation-of-high-birth to pendantic to hubris, pure and simple. Events happen in the periphery, and thus get s...more
I really enjoyed this series. Why? I enjoyed that many readers, young and old, could find this an enjoyable series. It also is something that one would enjoy even though they typically do not read science fiction/fantasy. Having said that, I love this genre and was not disappointed. The writing was rich with detail and yet not weighted down. I also felt that the writer had tried to research the era and attributes as far as possible and then took the liberty of writing a fictious work that could...more
This is a trilogy that I loved to read and was a little disappointed in at times as well. The story was wonderful....sort of a practical look at the legends of Merlin and Arthur and how many of the legends could have been the result of intellect beyond it's time and coincidence. But where the book sometimes seemed to "lose its train of thought" were the parts where this thesis that seemed to lead the story, was abruptly set aside for dramatic purposes it seemed. I am sure this was intentional, f...more
This is one of my favorite books, consisting of three novels that follow the Arthurian legend through the eyes of Merlin. The first novel, The Crystal Cave was assigned to me in high school, as was Mary Renault's story about Theseus, The Bull from the Sea--what Renault did for Ancient Greece, Mary Stewart did for Dark Age Britain. This has been described as fantasy, and there are touches of that, but much of Merlin's magic is rationalized--this is more historical fiction than fantasy, and as suc...more
This starts out interesting but deteriorates fast. The first novel is a passable re-telling of the Legend, which Stewart summarizes in the epilogue. The second book is inferior and pretty tedious. The third book is so mind-numbingly boring, I gave up on it half-way through, abandoning my plans to read the 4th and 5th novels after reading the initial trilogy.
This book is a counterargument to all those people harping on about how long Robert Jordan's descriptions were in "Wheel of Time". A 10page...more
This book is a counterargument to all those people harping on about how long Robert Jordan's descriptions were in "Wheel of Time". A 10page...more
It's got to be a good 25-30 years since I read these three books, and were just as enjoyable now as they were then. Stuart has a lovely way of describing a scene, the land and the people. If you purchased the trilogy in one book, just remember that they were originally three separate books. I found that while I read it as one book this time, there were redundancies and/or things that I would have expected to be cut from one large novel, but necessary additions in three separate novels. I found m...more
This was a really good interpretation of the King Arthur legend, told from the perspective of Merlin. It's fun to see the characters come into the story, remember what the legends said about them, and see how Mary Stewart casts them. Except it took me forever to realize that Bedwyr is a more accurate version of the name Bedivere, and I am embarrassed because he is one of my favorite characters in the legend.
In any case, the writing is good and the events are interesting. Merlin has the power to...more
In any case, the writing is good and the events are interesting. Merlin has the power to...more
I have loved these books forever! The first one is about Merlin as a boy and then young man as he searches for his power and his father. the next book in the trilogy is about how he helps create and hide the young Arthur.It is a beautifully written story, the whole trilogy, and takes you away, somewhere else. A completely different take on the whole Arthur legend than Mists of Avalon, for instance. My books are getting worn out because I read them often.
I read first when I was in my teens. Then I bought the set in my twenties. It's now nearly 3 decades later and I love it just as much as I ever did. I think it's a triumph of imagination, underscored with as much of an understanding of the history of post-Roamn Britain as is available. Mary Stewart takes the legend and turns it into what feels like historic fact. Loving it! Can't wait to move onto book 4 — The Wicked Day — which I haven't yet read.
She knows what she's doing. Unlike other epics, these books are personable. And yet encompass a vast range of space and time. Her insistence that what people call magic is in all actuality smart engineering made me smile every time it was mentioned. She engenders the readers trust within the first chapter - no small feat. A refreshing break from a genre full of clichés. This book is true to it's purpose. It gives Merlin new life.
What a treat to read this again, all three books at once. I have read them many times before, the first time, I think, when I was 9 years old. I couldn't understand them much then, and I don't think I ever did much beyond skim the Last Enchantment and perhaps the last half of the Hollow Hills.
This is one of the best takes on Arthurian legend, and it's from Merlin's point of view. Not only is Mary Stewart's power of description beautifully strong, but she makes the shadowy, magical figure of Merl...more
This is one of the best takes on Arthurian legend, and it's from Merlin's point of view. Not only is Mary Stewart's power of description beautifully strong, but she makes the shadowy, magical figure of Merl...more
When I finished The Crystal Cave I said, "This is truly how it must have been!" Merlin is portrayed very realistically and one feels that Ms. Stewart has written the definitive Merlin/Arthur "history." My paperback copies fell apart so I was glad to find this hardcover edition of the first three novels in the series. The next is The Wicked Day followed by The Prince and the Pilgrim.
I had read the 3 books in this trilogy separately, but purchase this version to keep forever. Mary Stewart has long been a strong favorite of mine. Though much of this story is legend, I still learned a lot of English history and mythology through it.
Tracing King Arthur from birth forward and his relationship with Merlin was nothing short of fascinating. Magical!
Tracing King Arthur from birth forward and his relationship with Merlin was nothing short of fascinating. Magical!
I enjoyed the enchanting stories about Merlin so much that when in England I travelled to Tintagel, a village on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall, UK to see the sites associated with King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table. (I could have used a Merlin spell to lift the weight of the Tintagel rock bookends I lugged in my back pack for the remainder of my trip!)
This is one of those old favorites I revisit every few years or so. Mary Stewart pulls off gracefully the formidible task of creating a cast of characters so lifelike and engaging one almost (but not quite) forgets that they are familiar objects of legend, while remaining faithful to the roots of the story... By far the best retelling of Arthurian legend I've encountered.
3.5 stars. I'm still reading this trilogy. At times, I find it moves very slowly. It is more interesting as the author moves into territory more familiar to me--the legend of Arthur. The first novel is about Merlin's childhood, the second about Arthur's childhood. I'm just now reading the third.
The descriptive passages seem too long at times.
The descriptive passages seem too long at times.
My husband has been after me to read these books for years; they're some of his favorites. However, since I don't really like fantasy, I've resisted.
The first book is The Crystal Cave, the second is The Hollow Hills, and the third is The Last Enchantment. They are the story of Merlin the Magician and King Arthur. Mary Stewart, the author, is an excellent writer and, though the story is based on legend, it is historically accurate as far as possible.
I told a friend who had read these books years...more
The first book is The Crystal Cave, the second is The Hollow Hills, and the third is The Last Enchantment. They are the story of Merlin the Magician and King Arthur. Mary Stewart, the author, is an excellent writer and, though the story is based on legend, it is historically accurate as far as possible.
I told a friend who had read these books years...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Merlin Trilogy | 4 | 27 | Nov 08, 2012 07:30pm | |
| Mary Stewart | 1 | 6 | Aug 23, 2012 06:10pm |
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lady Mary Stewart is a popular English novelist, and taught at the school of John Norquay elementary for 30 to 35 years, but has now retired.
She is one of the most widely read fiction writers of our time. The author of twenty novels, a volume of poetry, and three books for...more
More about Mary Stewart...
Lady Mary Stewart is a popular English novelist, and taught at the school of John Norquay elementary for 30 to 35 years, but has now retired.
She is one of the most widely read fiction writers of our time. The author of twenty novels, a volume of poetry, and three books for...more
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“It does not do to neglect the gods of a place, whoever they may be. In the end, they are all one.”
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12 people liked it
“To expect and dread a thing for a lifetime; does not prepare you for the thing itself.
Arthurian Saga”
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Arthurian Saga”
Dec 12, 2012 10:15am