LJ's review of The Crystal Cave

The Crystal Cave (Merlin Trilogy 1)
by Mary Stewart

LJ's review

rating:

status: Read in March, 2008

I actually read this book first when I was 11 or 12 and would have rated it a 5 with that self. When I was a girl I was lucky enough to be a tomboy and have male figures in my life who taught me the things I would later realize were traditionally "guy stuff". I remembered this book with a mystical fondness because I remember absolutely identifying with the character of Merlin and cast myself in the role of boy adventurer.

Unfortunately, I have to now temper that literal reading with things I am aware of now-- that all the women in this book, with no exception-- fall into one of three roles: martyr, slut, or witch. Not to go too far down that path, but it's a shame when a book gives you such magic as a child and is laid bare in a more disappointing way when you grow up. I looked, in Mary Stewart's afterword, for some kind of explanation of this betrayal, but I was even more disappointed by her admission that though the work was inspired by fact, she makes it apologetically...more I actually read this book first when I was 11 or 12 and would have rated it a 5 with that self. When I was a girl I was lucky enough to be a tomboy and have male figures in my life who taught me the things I would later realize were traditionally "guy stuff". I remembered this book with a mystical fondness because I remember absolutely identifying with the character of Merlin and cast myself in the role of boy adventurer.

Unfortunately, I have to now temper that literal reading with things I am aware of now-- that all the women in this book, with no exception-- fall into one of three roles: martyr, slut, or witch. Not to go too far down that path, but it's a shame when a book gives you such magic as a child and is laid bare in a more disappointing way when you grow up. I looked, in Mary Stewart's afterword, for some kind of explanation of this betrayal, but I was even more disappointed by her admission that though the work was inspired by fact, she makes it apologetically clear (in a scholarly sort of humility), that it is purely a work of fiction and in terms of the character of Merlin- fantasy.

A terrible thing to admit is also something useful in looking at my adult reaction to this book. Throughout the sections on battles and skirmishes (which are many), I kept thinking this exact thought: "for a woman, she's strangely interested in the details of war". I admit this because it shows that even now I have these prejudices imbedded in my psyche. I imagine Mary Stewart had them to an even greater degree.

However, there are countless books of the same period (and earlier) written by women, which do not deal with women simply as glyphs.

I didn't really want to go down this path in reviewing this book, but the shock of my disappointment with reading this book as an adult was centered firmly in that single complaint-- that it reads as if a misogynist wrote it. Or, maybe there's a better word-- an agnogynist? Someone that does not believe women are human beings.

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message 1: by Tanu

03/27/2008 06:11PM

Loved this book. And your review brought it all back. Did you read the Once and Future King by TH White? "Perhaps we give the most of ourselves to those who never think of us in return." All my unrequited crushes summed up.

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message 2: by LJ

04/02/2008 11:10AM

You know, I read the Once and Future King, and now I want to re-read it because all those books I read in the age 10-14 stage of my life seem to be resurfacing in my consciousness right now. I'm also on an arthurian kick, though I don't think I'll re-read the Mists of Avalon because it might come down a notch now. :)

Have you read Tennyson's arthurian poems? They are AWESOME. I think you'd like them!

BTW: I'm sorry I haven't come to visit yet. You have not been out of my mind, I've just been traveling alot. Is your new one reading poetry yet? :)

-LJ

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LJ's review of The Crystal Cave

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