Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur (The Arthur Books, #3)

by Bernard Cornwell

book data

1,004 ratings, 4.28 average rating, 51 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		46%
4		35%
3		16%
2		1%
1		0%

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published

June 1st 1998 by St Martins Pr (first published 1997)

details

Hardcover, 435 pages

isbn

0312185758 (isbn13: 9780312185756)

description

A story of love, war, loyalty and betrayal that begins with the failure of Lancelot's rebellion and the ruin of Arthur's marriage. Sensing disunity, t…more

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Jun 17, 2008

Rachel rated it:

Read in June, 2008

recommended to Rachel by: James
recommends it for: people who like Arthurian retellings, long books, and a hint of fantasy

It's always bittersweet reading the last book in a good series like this one. Because I came to this series so long after it was written, I didn't have to sit around and wait for the next book like a Harry Potter fan or poor tortured original devotee of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth." So I read the series relatively fast. And maybe I didn't appreciate this third book as much as I should have. But reading it so close to the other books, I noticed a lot of what seemed like inconsis...more

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1 comment

Dec 09, 2009

Jules rated it:

(review of other edition)

bookshelves: -2009, arthurian, historical-fiction, read-in-english

Read in December, 2009

What a fabulous end to a fabulous trilogy! Cornwell's realistic take on Arthurian legend is the third I've read so far - though it won't be the last. While reading, I found this tale enchanting and gripping to the last word.

The third book talks about the downfall of Dumnonia, Mordred's kingdom that Arthur rules for him until he gives up his power, in part because he's forced to, in part because it gives him the chance to leave the quiet life he's always wanted to live. Derfel, the ol...more What a fabulous end to a fabulous trilogy! Cornwell's realistic take on Arthurian legend is the third I've read so far - though it won't be the last. While reading, I found this tale enchanting and gripping to the last word.

The third book talks about the downfall of Dumnonia, Mordred's kingdom that Arthur rules for him until he gives up his power, in part because he's forced to, in part because it gives him the chance to leave the quiet life he's always wanted to live. Derfel, the old monk who used to be one of Arthur's warlords, as an eye-witness to the events seems like a reliable narrator who makes following the story even in the grip of political intrigue quite easy, which I appreciate a lot - the style of language very much rings true to his character. Though the writing is not something I would praise above all else, it's definitely above-average and full of images bringing this world to life.

Cornwell's portrayal of his characters is just another of those reasons why I enjoyed reading his trilogy so much. His characters are nicely rounded, three-dimensional, always doing the unexpected within shades of grey while still staying consistent. The Warlord Chronicles don't feel like a tale for the action's sake - though I certainly can't deny it's there and very heavily so! - but a journey for the characters in a very believable brutal, superstitious setting in 500AD Britain. Cornwell takes classical Arthurian legend and strips it of all the romanticism, rendering an intelligent, sometimes violent account of something that really feels like it might have been just like this. And meanwhile he even tells us how the romance might have been added!

(The only minor critique: Cornwell tries to allow readers to neglect reading the first book by trying to infuse information in later books the reader already gets earlier. It makes reading the trilogy one after the other a tiny bit awkward here and there. But the places where this happens are very few in this book, so I shall just overlook them. The positive things definitely far outweigh this minor point of criticism.)

Between The Mists of Avalon and The Warlord Chronicles, I think I'm well covered when it comes to Arthurian legend from the fantasy angle and from the historical angle. This trilogy is definitely a keeper... and already I'm wondering how other versions of the legend will hold up against these two.(less)

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Jan 02, 2009

Phil M rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

bookshelves: fantasy-fiction

Finished this one about a week ago. I have to say, it's a great end to a great trilogy. Bernard Cornwell truly took me into a shield-wall full of hardy spearman and gave me a bloody experience with this series. His version of the Arthurian Legend is very realistic, almost convincing to believe that Arthur was surely a real warlord and the Dark Ages were his prime.

I was very attatched to the narrator Derfel, and when I read the last few sentences that closed the series, I felt like s...more

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Mar 12, 2010

Ricky rated it:

(review of isbn 0140232877)

Read in March, 2005

This is the journey of a young man called Derfel becoming a warrior lord around the Arthurian Legends - the story is Inventive and wonderfully descriptive, which brings all the characters to life. The story has an earthy realism feel to it and keeps you wanting the main character Derfel to be safe throughout all the battles and challenges he comes up against. This is my all time favourite trilogy, its great escapism and wonderfully written. Bernard Cornwell in an interview said this was his best...more

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Dec 12, 2008

Reinhold rated it:

(review of isbn 3442352363)

bookshelves: historical-fiction

Read in August, 2003

Eine wahrhaft wunderbare Trilogie

Ehe Bernard Cornwell diese Trilogie verfasste machte er sich einen Namen als BBC-Reporter. Die Notwendigkeit der sehr genauen Recherche hat er in dieser Trilogie mitgenommen. Wenn auch historisch belegbare Aufzeichnungen über Arthur selbst fehlen, so gibt es doch eine Menge geschichtliches Wissen das Cornwell wunderbar in dieses Werk einbaut.

Diese Trilogie erzählt die Geschichte Arthurs ganz anders als wir es aus der Legende kennen. Art...more Eine wahrhaft wunderbare Trilogie

Ehe Bernard Cornwell diese Trilogie verfasste machte er sich einen Namen als BBC-Reporter. Die Notwendigkeit der sehr genauen Recherche hat er in dieser Trilogie mitgenommen. Wenn auch historisch belegbare Aufzeichnungen über Arthur selbst fehlen, so gibt es doch eine Menge geschichtliches Wissen das Cornwell wunderbar in dieses Werk einbaut.

Diese Trilogie erzählt die Geschichte Arthurs ganz anders als wir es aus der Legende kennen. Arthur hat seine Schwächen, Merlin ist "nur" ein Druide, Guinevere ist eine Frau mit überragender Intelligenz, die aus ihrer Rolle ausbrechen möchte und Lancelot ist ein narzisstischer Feigling. Die wichtigsten beiden Punkte bei den handelnden Personen jedoch sind, dass einerseits jede der Hauptfiguren mit einer schier unglaublichen Tiefe ausgestattet ist; und praktisch jede von ihnen eine Veränderung im Laufe ihres Lebens durchmacht. Bezogen auf die Charakterentwicklung ist Cornwell in Gebiete vorgestoßen, die selten erreicht werden. Keine der Figuren ist schwarz oder weiß, alle sind in Graubereichen angesiedelt - aber Cornwell liefert für fast jede Eigenschaft eine Begründung, er erläutert die Motivation die einen Charakter dazu werden lässt, was er ist.

Erzählt wird die Geschichte von einem alten Mönch mit Namen "Derfel". Er war als Kind einer druidischen Todesgrube entkommen, wurde von Merlin großgezogen und danach zum Krieger ausgebildet. Er wurde zu einem der großen Heerführer Arthurs und zu seinem Schwager. Er schreibt die Geschichte seines Lebens nieder, die Geschichte der Kriege gegen die Angeln und Sachsen, die Geschichte des Aufstieg und Falls Arthurs und des Aufstieg und Falls von Mordred und natürlich die Geschichte des Kampfes des Druidentums gegen das Christentum. Aber auch mit der ganzen Geschichte entfernt er sich weit vom Mythos. Der Name Camelot taucht nicht ein einziges Mal auf, und "Tafelrunde" wird als eine Verballhornung geschildert. All das hat seinen Mythos verloren, doch genau dadurch entsteht der Mythos neu; weniger glänzend zwar, dafür aber um so glaubwürdiger. Der Erzähler ("Derfel") ist ein Kind seiner Zeit und so erzählt er auch alles als mit den Augen seiner Zeit gesehen. Er spuckt permanent aus und berührt Eisen um das Böse abzuwenden. All das jedoch erzählt er in einer bildhaften, warmherzigen Weise. Zugegeben die Schlachtszenen sind alles andere als warmherzig dennoch sind sie sehr bildhaft. Nichts für schwache Nerven. Cornwell durchbricht die Grenze zwischen historischem und Phantasyroman. Wahrlich eine Meisterleistung.

Sprachlich muss man das Werk eindeutig als über dem Mittelmaß stehend beurteilen, wenngleich es bestimmt nicht als außergewöhnlich bezeichnet werden kann. Es ist aber so gut geschrieben und formuliert, dass sich die Mehrheit der Romanciers ein Beispiel nehmen können.

Ein einziger Schwachpunkt ist Cornwell unterlaufen. Er teilte das Buch in drei Bände auf. Keiner dieser Bände kann ohne die anderen existieren - das ist das Wesen einer Trilogie, jedoch versucht Cornwell dies trotzdem zu ermöglichen, indem er die wichtigsten Fakten in jedem Band wieder anklingen lässt. Dies ruft zwar die Fakten erneut in Erinnerung, aber es ist manchmal (besonders am Anfang eines Bandes) eher enervierend denn hilfreich. Die extrem enge Verstrickung der Bücher miteinander, ist auch der Grund warum man nicht ein einzelnes Buch aus dieser Trilogie beurteilen oder rezensieren kann. Es ist ein Gesamtwerk und muss auch als solches gelesen werden. Stellen Sie sicher, dass sie alle drei Bücher (1. Der Winterkönig, 2. Der Schattenfürst und 3. Arthurs letzter Schwur) zur Hand haben, wenn Sie mit dem Lesen beginnen.

Dieses Buch hat so viele Pluspunkte, dass man Gefahr läuft einige zu übersehen. Ich möchte versuchen sie nochmals zusammenzufassen. Es hebt sich sprachlich vom Mittelmaß ab, es erzählt seine Geschichte in herrlichen Bildern, es zeichnet die meisten Personen mit einem ungeahnten Tiefgang, es liefert Charakterentwicklungen in selten gesehenem Umfang, es stellt die Sage um Arthur in einem neuen - sehr interessanten Bild dar, es ist historisch untermauert. Es ist eine Neuerzählung des Mythos, der weder den Vergleich mit den besten historischen Romanen scheuen muss, noch muss er sich fürchten wenn man ihn mit der besten Phantasyliteratur vergleicht. Der einzige Schwachpunkt - die Verteilung auf drei Bände - wiegt nur wie eine Feder auf der negativen Waagschale. (less)

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Apr 09, 2008

Anthony rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

bookshelves: historical-fiction

Read in May, 2008

recommends it for: Those who have enjoyed The Warlord Chronicles and have to know how it ends

Bernard Cornwell’s, The Warlord Chronicles, is Arthur as you have never seen him before. No shining knights in plate armor, no ‘round table’, no magical sword or quest for the mystical Holy Grail. Many of the names you know are here but these are not the tired characters you have seen again and again in other media. This is probably the most historically accurate representation of the mythical fifth century British warlord, Arthur, you have ever heard. This is also the least ‘historical�...more

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6 comments

Dec 14, 2007

Spuddie rated it:

bookshelves: keepers

Read in January, 2009

Third of the Arthurian legends “Warlord” historical fiction trilogy in which Derfel Cadarn, Arthur’s one-time second in command and now a monk, completes the tale of what happened to Arthur—who never was a king, though he should have been.

It’s 530’s A.D. in Britain, and the Saxons are on the prowl again, trying to gain more land. Arthur still stands behind his promise to Uther that he would support Mordred as Britain’s king, and it does nothing but gain him trouble. He...more

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Dec 19, 2009

Marcus Peddle rated it:

(review of other edition)

An excellent ending to the trilogy. I felt sad at the end. There was a victory but much loss and hints at more loss to come. Cornwell does an excellent job of making the legend of Arthur come to life in a way that makes the reader feel this could have happened. Gone are the romantic versions of knights searching for the Holy Grail. The people in this story are flesh and blood with all the nobility and all the faults of real heroes. I will read this again, probably more than once.

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Oct 17, 2008

Fritz Schneider rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

Just finished this series (this is the last book in it). I had trouble getting into the series at the beginning: the prose is declarative ("Derfel was angry"; "No! she said with remorse") rather than -- for lack of a better term -- illuminating. This bothered me. But in the end this is a pretty grand, epic fantasy series.

This is fantasy without dragons and fireball-casting magic. It's gritty with rape, pillage, and other kinds of graphic misbehavior. It's an epic tr...more

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May 04, 2009

Kate Quinn rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

Read in May, 2009

Bernard Cornwell is one of the best writers of historical fiction out there, and the Arthur trilogy is his best work. He strips a good deal of the gloss off the Arthur legends, and what is left is a fascinating picture of the squalor, mystery, brutality, and courage of sixth-century Britain. I've read this trilogy before, but never get tired of it. The hero is oddly enough not Arthur himself, but Arthur's best friend who narrates his lord's life - and captures my heart every time. Read now, ...more

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Feb 13, 2009

Gary rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

Cornwall is an awesome author of great skill who is at his best when it comes to writing about people. He develops his characters fully. This is my favorite Arthurian Series of all time. It reinvents the Arthurian tales and yet still manages to stay with the legendary framework. The only other book about Arthur that even comes close is by Rosemary Sutcliff, Sword at Sunset.

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Oct 05, 2009

Jennifer Lawrence rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

Read in September, 2009

The last book in a really well written series. I was surprised, and sad with the events the took place but happy with how it all ended. Like I've said earlier there is a lot of disturbing things in this series and even though I loved it I couldn't recommend it to anyone (because at times I felt guilty reading it). Dang it, it was just so well written.

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Mar 08, 2009

Jana rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in March, 2009

recommended to Jana by: Patrick's page
recommends it for: Christy, Jessie, Leigh

I am not sure this book alone was 5 stars, but the series was fabulous. I believe it is now my favorite telling of the Arthurian legend, surpassing Mists of Avalon, which I loved. This series had twists and turns and I will miss these characters now that the story has ended.

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Apr 16, 2007

JT rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

bookshelves: nutsonthetablebooks

Read in March, 2007

recommends it for: History/Action

This book is the final book in a 3 part series about King Arthur. Unlike most King Arthur books this one is factually based in feudal Britain. This isn't a "Fantasy book", the magic is handled more as an unproven cult and in no way dominates the storyline. This is a truly unique tale and one that tops any other Arthur tale I've ever read or seen.

This final book is classic, in truth they all are. This third and final chapter takes us to the completion of the story about a m...more

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Mar 12, 2009

Robin rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

Read in April, 2009

recommends it for: arthur fans

This series is pretty interesting. I enjoyed reading it, but could not really get into it. Its the kind of story I would have enjoyed reading over a longer period of time, but since I'm playing catch up, I had to push myself through it. Cornwell is a good writer; his story is compelling but not gripping. There is a definite historical base, but I can't help thinking as I read that he just made up his own story and threw in the names of some familiar Artherian characters. I'm interested in checki...more

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Dec 11, 2009

Charles Bond rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

Read in June, 2004

i marked this as threestar as i cant remember which book it is, i am confused as to which story it is, or rather this is a similar book to another i have, i get the two mudddled up. i must read it again.

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Aug 28, 2008

fbuser1426308869 rated it:

(review of isbn 0312206488)

Read in July, 2008

In the conclusion of his epic retelling of the Arthur myth, Cornwell strips the legend of its Medieval courtly-love trappings and places it squarely in a 6th Century Britain that's steeped in sweat, blood and superstition. Brutal Saxons and Celtic mysticism replace the knights and wizardry of the classic version of the tale, but the fundamental elements--Arthur's nobility and heroism, and his complicated relationship with Guinevere--are brilliantly told in Cornwell's precise, vibrant voice. Thr...more

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