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Galahad and the Grail
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Expected 23 Mar 26In this first Volume of Merlin's Isle, join the prophesied youth, Sir Galahad, and the other knights of the quest as they set out from Camelot to achieve the Holy Grail. The accomplishment of their goal will heal not only the wounded Fisher King, but will bring about the long-hoped for healing of the land itself.
Here at the height of his poetic power, Malcolm Guite delivers a tale of adventure in ballad form that plumbs the depths of the human soul, carries readers through the Wasteland, and sets us upon the numinous shores of Faerie in all its mystery and meaning.
This is not an epic destined to be sequestered in the halls of academia, but a tale to be read by young and old alike, to be read aloud among friends, to be read and cherished for generations to come.
Here at the height of his poetic power, Malcolm Guite delivers a tale of adventure in ballad form that plumbs the depths of the human soul, carries readers through the Wasteland, and sets us upon the numinous shores of Faerie in all its mystery and meaning.
This is not an epic destined to be sequestered in the halls of academia, but a tale to be read by young and old alike, to be read aloud among friends, to be read and cherished for generations to come.
372 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 23, 2026
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288 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 26, 2025
This was absolutely enchanting.
It recounts the quest for the Grail, beginning with Galahad, but also the stories of Lancelot, Bors, and Percivale were shared. All that told in the most gorgeous poetic verses.
The illustrations were beautiful, they match the tone of the book perfectly, so props to the artist for that. And that cover! Stunning.
I am a longtime Arthurian fan, and I feel like a retelling of the quest for the Grail can at times read almost too faith-based and not for everybody. And though there surely were mentions of religion and faith in this book — as there should be, if it’s to be true to the original — they weren’t overwhelming and felt appropriate. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It recounts the quest for the Grail, beginning with Galahad, but also the stories of Lancelot, Bors, and Percivale were shared. All that told in the most gorgeous poetic verses.
The illustrations were beautiful, they match the tone of the book perfectly, so props to the artist for that. And that cover! Stunning.
I am a longtime Arthurian fan, and I feel like a retelling of the quest for the Grail can at times read almost too faith-based and not for everybody. And though there surely were mentions of religion and faith in this book — as there should be, if it’s to be true to the original — they weren’t overwhelming and felt appropriate. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2025
[ARC gifted via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review]
A charming and skilful retelling of the Grail Quest in lovely poetic form; recalls medieval Arthurian narratives, Tennyson, Coleridge, and Tolkien without being derivative, and brings a bit of extra flair to the original narratives / Malory's Morte, via an increased interest in the ecocritical and natural world with the original episode of Galahad & the Naiad, and an extended focus on the Oak, Ash, and Thorn. It also provides an increased role for Percival's sister, who doesn't even get a name in Malory's Morte (Guite pulls the name Dindrane from a separate source I think?) but here has her own miniature quest in an episode that recalls the Rime of the Ancient Mariner very powerfully. Some combining of various characters/plotlines/elements from various sources in places, but given that it seems they do serve to simplify the narrative and create one coherent story it seems reasonable. I do think it's fitting for modern Christians to explore the Galahad and Grail narratives, being that they are so inextricable from their medieval religious basis and unlike other Arthurian stories it's pretty much impossible to secularise them, something that various modern retellings often have trouble with, (but not Guite!). Very beautifully written and engaging, a massively impressive poetic feat you see less and less these days. I felt in places it was a tiny bit clunky in the pacing, but on the whole pretty well balanced considering just how much stuff happens on the grail quest and how skimmy medieval poets could be. I don't imagine people who want from their Arthuriana the sword-swinging mighty battles will find what they're looking for here, but this is impressively true to the experience of reading the original sources... without, you know, being in Middle English. Or Old French. Or anything else.
Some formatting issues in my kindle preview with the anti-distribution warning appearing to obscure some lines and others not having the correct formatting or line breaks yet, but I could generally get through that without too much trouble, and of course that will be fixed in the final edition. I enjoyed both Clarke's foreword and Guite's afterwords, and thought they had a lot of really good thoughts on how Arthuriana may (and may not) fit into a modern Britain, and Stephen Crotts's woodcut style illustrations were lovely.
A charming and skilful retelling of the Grail Quest in lovely poetic form; recalls medieval Arthurian narratives, Tennyson, Coleridge, and Tolkien without being derivative, and brings a bit of extra flair to the original narratives / Malory's Morte, via an increased interest in the ecocritical and natural world with the original episode of Galahad & the Naiad, and an extended focus on the Oak, Ash, and Thorn. It also provides an increased role for Percival's sister, who doesn't even get a name in Malory's Morte (Guite pulls the name Dindrane from a separate source I think?) but here has her own miniature quest in an episode that recalls the Rime of the Ancient Mariner very powerfully. Some combining of various characters/plotlines/elements from various sources in places, but given that it seems they do serve to simplify the narrative and create one coherent story it seems reasonable. I do think it's fitting for modern Christians to explore the Galahad and Grail narratives, being that they are so inextricable from their medieval religious basis and unlike other Arthurian stories it's pretty much impossible to secularise them, something that various modern retellings often have trouble with, (but not Guite!). Very beautifully written and engaging, a massively impressive poetic feat you see less and less these days. I felt in places it was a tiny bit clunky in the pacing, but on the whole pretty well balanced considering just how much stuff happens on the grail quest and how skimmy medieval poets could be. I don't imagine people who want from their Arthuriana the sword-swinging mighty battles will find what they're looking for here, but this is impressively true to the experience of reading the original sources... without, you know, being in Middle English. Or Old French. Or anything else.
Some formatting issues in my kindle preview with the anti-distribution warning appearing to obscure some lines and others not having the correct formatting or line breaks yet, but I could generally get through that without too much trouble, and of course that will be fixed in the final edition. I enjoyed both Clarke's foreword and Guite's afterwords, and thought they had a lot of really good thoughts on how Arthuriana may (and may not) fit into a modern Britain, and Stephen Crotts's woodcut style illustrations were lovely.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Arthur Peterson and Rabbit Room Press for providing me with a review copy.
Galahad and the Grail had me intrigued as soon as I read the description. Having read some Arthurian tales many a years ago as a small child, though never in verse I don’t think the promise of adventures written in ballad enticed me.
Admittedly, I am not familiar with types of verse, but the English ballad proved both an accessible form-reminding me of the children’s tales I loved to hear in my native Dutch- and one that allowed the stories to circumvent the brain and directly reach the heart.
This book promises numerous adventures through strange lands as our well-known knights search for the Grail. It certainly delivers this- strange knights quarrelling, knights and their fair ladies, wise hermits, naiads and dryads all make their appearance. The tales sweep you up and take you away to a land where such mysteries and indeed mystical forces and prophecies prevail.
It’s compelling story, and the ballad form that reaches to your core make you long for distant times, a melancholy nostalgia for times when we were truly part of nature rather then separate. The high morals which reign in these tales offers a refuge from the complicated, hostile world we find ourselves in now. Reading this I truly felt I found a shelter where I could be safe, even if just for a little while.
It accomplishes what it sets out to: a retelling of the medieval classic fit for our modern time. Even the additions made by Malcolm Guite feel completely in line with the story, and are beautiful all on their own.
If you are interested in Arthurian legend, Fantasy, want to read something in verse or are merely searching for an escape and reprieve, I highly recommend this book.
That said, I would be remiss not to mention the Christianity that is woven throughout the book. This was not mentioned in the summary I read, and if it was I don’t think I would have read this. I am not a Christian, and on the whole avoid books or stories which purport to have a Christian message. Of course, being a book about the quest for the Holy Grail, and being a story of an age, I expected Christianity and was not surprised to find it. Reading the appendices at the end it took me by surprise that the Christian message was so important for the writer to communicate. However, I do think that the Christianity shown in the book is indeed a good and admirable thing. What is shown is not a dominion over all things, or a judgement of people who go against some arbitrary standard. What is shown is a worldview in which all creation-nature and all- is connected and important. Where humility, admitting one’s fault and crucially moving past those mistakes to better oneself are the cornerstone of how to live. Where sacrifice for the good of a fellow human is goodly and right. It is the kind of Christianity that I think is seen too little in the world now (though I do know people who live it like this). While Christianity is not my path, it does give me hope to see it represented this way. Let’s hope we see more of this in the next few years, I fear the world needs it.
Galahad and the Grail had me intrigued as soon as I read the description. Having read some Arthurian tales many a years ago as a small child, though never in verse I don’t think the promise of adventures written in ballad enticed me.
Admittedly, I am not familiar with types of verse, but the English ballad proved both an accessible form-reminding me of the children’s tales I loved to hear in my native Dutch- and one that allowed the stories to circumvent the brain and directly reach the heart.
This book promises numerous adventures through strange lands as our well-known knights search for the Grail. It certainly delivers this- strange knights quarrelling, knights and their fair ladies, wise hermits, naiads and dryads all make their appearance. The tales sweep you up and take you away to a land where such mysteries and indeed mystical forces and prophecies prevail.
It’s compelling story, and the ballad form that reaches to your core make you long for distant times, a melancholy nostalgia for times when we were truly part of nature rather then separate. The high morals which reign in these tales offers a refuge from the complicated, hostile world we find ourselves in now. Reading this I truly felt I found a shelter where I could be safe, even if just for a little while.
It accomplishes what it sets out to: a retelling of the medieval classic fit for our modern time. Even the additions made by Malcolm Guite feel completely in line with the story, and are beautiful all on their own.
If you are interested in Arthurian legend, Fantasy, want to read something in verse or are merely searching for an escape and reprieve, I highly recommend this book.
That said, I would be remiss not to mention the Christianity that is woven throughout the book. This was not mentioned in the summary I read, and if it was I don’t think I would have read this. I am not a Christian, and on the whole avoid books or stories which purport to have a Christian message. Of course, being a book about the quest for the Holy Grail, and being a story of an age, I expected Christianity and was not surprised to find it. Reading the appendices at the end it took me by surprise that the Christian message was so important for the writer to communicate. However, I do think that the Christianity shown in the book is indeed a good and admirable thing. What is shown is not a dominion over all things, or a judgement of people who go against some arbitrary standard. What is shown is a worldview in which all creation-nature and all- is connected and important. Where humility, admitting one’s fault and crucially moving past those mistakes to better oneself are the cornerstone of how to live. Where sacrifice for the good of a fellow human is goodly and right. It is the kind of Christianity that I think is seen too little in the world now (though I do know people who live it like this). While Christianity is not my path, it does give me hope to see it represented this way. Let’s hope we see more of this in the next few years, I fear the world needs it.
December 20, 2025
(ARC provided via Netgalley)
Wow. This isn't a book so much as an achievement. Malcolm Guite presents the Arthurian legend to us as an epic narrative poem, and any words I write here won't do it justice. It's medieval in its feel and yet accessibly clear in its language (the verse serves the story rather than obscures it). It's so rhythmic that it begs to be read out loud (Seriously. I dare you not to read this out loud; every night as I put the book down, the iambic tetrameter was still bouncing around in my head, even without any specific words). It's gorgeous and uplifting and quotable. The two-color illustrations and capital flourishes wonderfully strengthen the whole feel of the book.
The poetry doesn't miss on the Arthurian Christian symbolism, making the Grail quest the sort of spiritual pilgrimage it was meant to be. Guite explains his sources and approach in the appendices, as well as a beautifully gospel-minded interpretation of the Grail and the Wastelands.
The best thing I know to say about this book is that, as I read it, it felt like this is the way the Arthurian legend was meant to be read, meant to be experienced. We should celebrate that books like this are still being written out into the world. What a gift. I can't wait to hold a hard copy in my hand when the book releases in March. And Lord willing, three more volumes will join it soon!
Wow. This isn't a book so much as an achievement. Malcolm Guite presents the Arthurian legend to us as an epic narrative poem, and any words I write here won't do it justice. It's medieval in its feel and yet accessibly clear in its language (the verse serves the story rather than obscures it). It's so rhythmic that it begs to be read out loud (Seriously. I dare you not to read this out loud; every night as I put the book down, the iambic tetrameter was still bouncing around in my head, even without any specific words). It's gorgeous and uplifting and quotable. The two-color illustrations and capital flourishes wonderfully strengthen the whole feel of the book.
The poetry doesn't miss on the Arthurian Christian symbolism, making the Grail quest the sort of spiritual pilgrimage it was meant to be. Guite explains his sources and approach in the appendices, as well as a beautifully gospel-minded interpretation of the Grail and the Wastelands.
The best thing I know to say about this book is that, as I read it, it felt like this is the way the Arthurian legend was meant to be read, meant to be experienced. We should celebrate that books like this are still being written out into the world. What a gift. I can't wait to hold a hard copy in my hand when the book releases in March. And Lord willing, three more volumes will join it soon!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have recently read some medieval Arthurian stories in translation, and often they seem to be missing something, that is lost in translation because they are poem. By rewriting the story in modern English and in ballad format, he has made the story more accessible to a modern reader. This retelling feels in many ways more like the medieval stories as many modern film versions as well as "classic" versions such as The Once and Future King" This isn't just because of it's poetry, but because it doesn't shy away from the religious themes. In fact it embraces them. The religious themes not aid the mood and add symbolism, it gives it its meaning. The symbolism isn't always clear, especially to those unfamiliar with medieval literature or the traditional liturgy. Still the sense of mystery and marvel is part of the journey. One can always enjoy the poetry and contemplate the meaning.
The artwork is excellent and depicts the knights in early medieval armor, suitable to when Arthur is said to have ruled. The language is understandable but fittingly archaic for the poem and introduced me to some new words. It also has multiple appendices which are basically a making of. I want more of this.
The artwork is excellent and depicts the knights in early medieval armor, suitable to when Arthur is said to have ruled. The language is understandable but fittingly archaic for the poem and introduced me to some new words. It also has multiple appendices which are basically a making of. I want more of this.
November 17, 2025
A beautifully crafted book and the first of four volumes on King Arthur. This opening installment follows the young Sir Galahad and the other knights of the quest as they depart Camelot in pursuit of the Holy Grail.
From the moment I opened it, I was struck by how stunning the book is—each stave begins with a uniquely illuminated capital, and Stephen Crotts’s illustrations throughout effortlessly draw you into Sir Galahad’s world. The poetry is remarkably accessible and easy to read, and the author brings the story to life with vivid, magical imagery conveyed through clear, inviting language. It’s a truly impressive achievement, and I absolutely love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rabbit Room Press, and author Malcolm Guite for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
From the moment I opened it, I was struck by how stunning the book is—each stave begins with a uniquely illuminated capital, and Stephen Crotts’s illustrations throughout effortlessly draw you into Sir Galahad’s world. The poetry is remarkably accessible and easy to read, and the author brings the story to life with vivid, magical imagery conveyed through clear, inviting language. It’s a truly impressive achievement, and I absolutely love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rabbit Room Press, and author Malcolm Guite for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was delightful. The beats and rhythm of the poetry rang in my head even after I put it down. The poetry brought out beautiful images and the story was simply delightful.
Bring back fairy tales with happy endings and strong messages of hope. Galahad and the Grail's stories remind us of the promise of a better future. The book is full of so much joy and hope that bleeds into every word. It holds true to the original legends while also being entirely its own. This is exactly the kind of book I would love to read as a bedtime story to my future children. This story is truly wonderful and I hope that everyone can take the time to read it and let the poetry seep into your bones as intended.
Bring back fairy tales with happy endings and strong messages of hope. Galahad and the Grail's stories remind us of the promise of a better future. The book is full of so much joy and hope that bleeds into every word. It holds true to the original legends while also being entirely its own. This is exactly the kind of book I would love to read as a bedtime story to my future children. This story is truly wonderful and I hope that everyone can take the time to read it and let the poetry seep into your bones as intended.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a fan of King Arthur retellings and lyrical epic poetry, this was an amazing read. I read it silently at first, but the author's note kept coming back to me that this was a tale meant to be read out loud and shared, so I swapped and read it out loud instead. What a difference it made to hear the words ebb and flow so naturally! I loved every moment and although a bit daunting to do so, I kept it up right to end (even if my audience was my cat).
There was something so exquisite about the details and love put into the book. The story was well-crafted, the characters took you on the journey with them and most importantly- it was fun! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy.
There was something so exquisite about the details and love put into the book. The story was well-crafted, the characters took you on the journey with them and most importantly- it was fun! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy.
February 11, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy!
I was already excited for this as I've been looking for an Arthurian legends book, but I was even more excited when I saw that this is written in verse AND it has illustrations! Multiple illustrations!
The rhythm of the stanzas was very easy to fall into, and I often found myself getting lost in the book and how long I'd been reading it. Guite is a talented story teller, and again the design of the book was just so exciting to see, mostly because you don't see graphics like that very often in adult books these days.
I was already excited for this as I've been looking for an Arthurian legends book, but I was even more excited when I saw that this is written in verse AND it has illustrations! Multiple illustrations!
The rhythm of the stanzas was very easy to fall into, and I often found myself getting lost in the book and how long I'd been reading it. Guite is a talented story teller, and again the design of the book was just so exciting to see, mostly because you don't see graphics like that very often in adult books these days.
November 15, 2025
luncky to have an ebook ARC copy thank you @netgalley An epic dance in Aurthian legend. It's thoughtful magical and totally and utterly enthralling. I was whisked into the realms of Aurthur and I did not want to leave. Thank you Malcolm for sharing your masterpiece 🙏
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*thank you to Netgalley for giving me access*
4 stars
If you're a fan of Arthurian legends, I recommend this book! There were some beautiful illustrations throughout the book and it was layed out like a medieval manuscript, which is always a plus in my opinion.
4 stars
If you're a fan of Arthurian legends, I recommend this book! There were some beautiful illustrations throughout the book and it was layed out like a medieval manuscript, which is always a plus in my opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sadly, I DNF'd this book. I really wanted to like it as it's clear lots of work went into it, and the illustrations are amazing.
I was really drawn to the concept of an epic poem about a topic I've always loved, but in the end, the writing style wasn't enough to keep my interest.
I was really drawn to the concept of an epic poem about a topic I've always loved, but in the end, the writing style wasn't enough to keep my interest.
Want to read
December 21, 2025Immensely excited for this.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews