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Firelord #2
Beloved Exile
After the death of Arthur brings the hope of Camelot to an end, Guenevere struggles to keep the kingdom together in the face of traitors and usurpers, until a cruel betrayal condemns her to slavery under a Saxon warlord. Original.
424 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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409 people want to read
About the author
Parke Godwin
239 books90 followersParke Godwin was an American writer known for his lyrical yet precise prose style and sardonic humor. He was also known for his novels of legendary figures placed in realistic historical settings; his retelling of the Arthur legend (Firelord in 1980, Beloved Exile in 1984, and The Last Rainbow in 1985) is set in the 5th century during the collapse of the Roman empire, and his reinterpretation of Robin Hood (Sherwood, 1991, and Robin and the King, 1993) takes place during the Norman conquest and features kings William the Conqueror and William Rufus as major characters. His other well-known works include Waiting For The Galactic Bus (1988) and its sequel The Snake Oil Wars (1989), humorous critiques of American pop culture and religion.
Parke Godwin also worked as a radio operator, a research technician, a professional actor, an advertising man, a dishwasher and a maitre d' hotel.
Godwin's short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. His short story "Influencing the Hell out of Time and Teresa Golowitz," was the basis of an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.
Parke Godwin also worked as a radio operator, a research technician, a professional actor, an advertising man, a dishwasher and a maitre d' hotel.
Godwin's short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. His short story "Influencing the Hell out of Time and Teresa Golowitz," was the basis of an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 26, 2013
This is the sequel to 'Firelord,' but, unlike many sequels, I thought it was a much better book. Where 'Firelord' spent a lot of time working in elements of the traditional story, this tale of Guinevere leaves what we 'knew' behind as it creates a rich historical fiction of what may have happened in Britain after Arthur's death.
While Guinevere in 'Firelord' may have seemed scheming, jealous and cruel (although a brilliant politician), here in this story told from her point of view, her character comes alive, and we can fully understand her motives and emotions.
We also see the 'other side' of the story - as Guinevere fails in her efforts to keep the warring tribes of Britain together, and falls in the chaos to slavers... but over time comes to grow as a person and come to a greater understanding of those who were 'her' people. We get to see the perspective of the foreign 'invading' tribes, and the point of view of the peasants who struggle only to survive as lords battle... Godwin does inject a political, pro-democracy slant that rings a little bit false for its historical setting, to me, but overall, I enjoyed the book.
While Guinevere in 'Firelord' may have seemed scheming, jealous and cruel (although a brilliant politician), here in this story told from her point of view, her character comes alive, and we can fully understand her motives and emotions.
We also see the 'other side' of the story - as Guinevere fails in her efforts to keep the warring tribes of Britain together, and falls in the chaos to slavers... but over time comes to grow as a person and come to a greater understanding of those who were 'her' people. We get to see the perspective of the foreign 'invading' tribes, and the point of view of the peasants who struggle only to survive as lords battle... Godwin does inject a political, pro-democracy slant that rings a little bit false for its historical setting, to me, but overall, I enjoyed the book.
September 20, 2008
The sequel to "Firelord." Guinevere tells her story after the Fall of Camelot. This woman is a queen, whose family line goes back centuries. Now nominally a Christian, the women of her family were once priestesses of Epona, with all the sexual priveleges that entailed. Daughter of a formidable king, it was she who taught young Arthur how to rule a kingdom.
Her story begins with the political challenges arising with the Arthur's death, and continues with betrayal, flight, and then capture and enslavement by the very Saxons Arthur fought so hard against.
No matter what her circumstances, Guinevere is a formidable woman. She has serious flaws, but over time she grows in wisdom and compassion, and finally returns to the land where she once ruled to take a final hand in the future of Britian.
Her story begins with the political challenges arising with the Arthur's death, and continues with betrayal, flight, and then capture and enslavement by the very Saxons Arthur fought so hard against.
No matter what her circumstances, Guinevere is a formidable woman. She has serious flaws, but over time she grows in wisdom and compassion, and finally returns to the land where she once ruled to take a final hand in the future of Britian.
November 24, 2019
When we think of Gwenafyer from the legend of King Arthur we usually think of a meek and mild Church ridden woman silent in the background only coming to notice when her affair with Lancelot is discovered. And what ever happened to her after King Arthur was slain? Godwin turns this image of Gwenafyer upside down - she is a strong willed Princess who will be nothing but Arthur's equal. At the beginning of this novel she has just learned of Arthur's death and must push her feelings of personal loss down and deal with the unraveling of her country. Godwin gives us insight into this new rendition of Gwenafyer - especially after she has been captured and sold into slavery to her mortal enemies the Saxons. As a field slave she will learn much more then just farming - she will learn that life is more then just ruling. Truly a must read for fans of the Arthurian legend and those who want a different kind of 'Gwenafyer'
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December 19, 2016I read this book back in the late 1990s when it did not have the hideous cover it has today. The best thing I can say is that it got me thinking about what happened to Guinevere after Arthur's death; it was the first book I'd read that ventured into that territory. It was good, but not very believable from a historical perspective.
September 4, 2009
I remember reading this and being totally blown away by the story. I'm a big Arthurian lit fan and this was so unlike anything I had read..especially about Guinevere. It was amazing and it stayed with me for monthes after. I think I'll reread it to see if it has the same effect now.
June 4, 2012
I read this without reading the others and it still stands alone. My first introduction that Guienevere may have been something more than just a cheap .....well...you get my meaning. This book gave her personality and heart.
January 23, 2014
This is my favorite Guenevere story. She's no longer just a pretty face who gets passed about from lover to lover, a sort of British Helen of Troy. She's a real leader, with brains and faults and grit. The tale of what happens to her after Arthur's death is not only believable, but fantastic.
April 28, 2013
My impression of the setup of Guinevere's plight was that it was ridiculous, so I really couldn't appreciate the story as much after that.
April 27, 2018
While I loved the first Firelord novel and was riveted with the portrayal of a hardened and manipulative Guenevere, I found this volume harder to get through. Parke Godwin's prose is supple, rich and real throughout. It is never forced, and flows through landscapes and conversations effortlessly. He also refreshingly stays away from the new age agenda of Marion Zimmer Bradley and the Evangelical agenda of Stephen Lawhead, but ultimately falls short in that I failed to find interest in a Guenevere without Arthur, not because she cannot fare on her own, rather because Godwin delivers a story line I cannot get into. The queen is captured by the Saxons, and she is owned, humiliated, and even loved by her enemy. Sounds promising? Well, in a way the short form of the story does sound promising, but sprawled into novel in a cramped paperback with very little breaks for the eye had me skimming upon occasion.
Matters weren't helped much further in that my paperback was falling apart in my hands. But let me get back to the story. Many characters who are typically dead in the classic versions after the passing of Arthur are still alive—Gareth and Eleyne, to mention but two. This takes some getting warmed up to, but while I'm doing that I am completely thrown by how Guenevere is given a new love interest, Gunnar, and there is one scene in there that is beyond erotic, something that was only hinted at in her relationship with Arthur and barely explored with Lancelot. I'm still not sure what to make of a Guenevere servicing a Saxon as his slave except that the execution left me somewhat cold. I was no longer interested in the manipulative spitfire that was the Guenevere of the first Firelord novel.
In the end, I can only recommend this novel to those who are trying to spend their lifetime reading everything Arthurian. Personally, after this one, the third Firelord novel just as well may sit on my shelf a long time before I get to it, if ever.
Matters weren't helped much further in that my paperback was falling apart in my hands. But let me get back to the story. Many characters who are typically dead in the classic versions after the passing of Arthur are still alive—Gareth and Eleyne, to mention but two. This takes some getting warmed up to, but while I'm doing that I am completely thrown by how Guenevere is given a new love interest, Gunnar, and there is one scene in there that is beyond erotic, something that was only hinted at in her relationship with Arthur and barely explored with Lancelot. I'm still not sure what to make of a Guenevere servicing a Saxon as his slave except that the execution left me somewhat cold. I was no longer interested in the manipulative spitfire that was the Guenevere of the first Firelord novel.
In the end, I can only recommend this novel to those who are trying to spend their lifetime reading everything Arthurian. Personally, after this one, the third Firelord novel just as well may sit on my shelf a long time before I get to it, if ever.
January 4, 2019
My favourite rendition of Arthuriana, I think, despite the man himself being dead before the story starts. This is the story of "what happened next."
Guinevere is trying to keep Britain together but things go a bit pear-shaped and she winds up a slave to a Saxon farmer. However, she finds that it isn't that bad and that the Saxons aren't necessarily as bad as she once thought (handy for those of us who are Inclined to look at the legend of Arthur as being an historical iteration of the Brexit story, but with a bit more glamour). Guinevere comes to admit and love these "invaders" and, when she returns to her former life, is considered a radical for listening to the "common voices."
Something that occurred to me on this reread was that Guinevere reminded me of another queen of England who had a tumultuous life and was considered a harlot by her enemies and a paragon by her admirers: Eleanor of Aquitaine. She has the same vast knowledge, train of followers and let for life. A quick check of some books and some googling led me to the first great popularisation and consideration of Arthur as a "true" historical figure as being during the reign of the Plantaganets and the idea that it happened to add some mystique to the rule of Henry and Eleanor. It's not too far a stretch: Eleanor did foster a court that loved old stories and she was nobodies fool.
Anyway, back to the book. Mr Godwin seems a little too fond of his lead character at times but this is a great read that asks some interesting questions about legends and myths and what we do with them.
Guinevere is trying to keep Britain together but things go a bit pear-shaped and she winds up a slave to a Saxon farmer. However, she finds that it isn't that bad and that the Saxons aren't necessarily as bad as she once thought (handy for those of us who are Inclined to look at the legend of Arthur as being an historical iteration of the Brexit story, but with a bit more glamour). Guinevere comes to admit and love these "invaders" and, when she returns to her former life, is considered a radical for listening to the "common voices."
Something that occurred to me on this reread was that Guinevere reminded me of another queen of England who had a tumultuous life and was considered a harlot by her enemies and a paragon by her admirers: Eleanor of Aquitaine. She has the same vast knowledge, train of followers and let for life. A quick check of some books and some googling led me to the first great popularisation and consideration of Arthur as a "true" historical figure as being during the reign of the Plantaganets and the idea that it happened to add some mystique to the rule of Henry and Eleanor. It's not too far a stretch: Eleanor did foster a court that loved old stories and she was nobodies fool.
Anyway, back to the book. Mr Godwin seems a little too fond of his lead character at times but this is a great read that asks some interesting questions about legends and myths and what we do with them.
January 4, 2022
I love, love, love how Godwin translates the magical elements of the Arthur tales into the every day, and he continues this with "Beloved Exile." Add to that, he writes of Guinevere as I have always thought of her...a strong, intelligent woman capable of leading a country in a time when women were, by and large, little more than chattel. Most authors have portrayed Guinevere as a weak, shy maiden with very little to say, a deep Christian, and a dead loss as a queen. I knew that had to have been wrong, if there is a core of history hidden inside the legends. Arthur would have been not just a king, but a KING. A man with the force of will to hold together innumerable normally warring tribes, and to weld them into, for however brief a time, a country. Guinevere was his Queen in a time when a queen's ONLY PURPOSE was producing a royal heir (at the least), and preferably a royal dynasty. Gwen could not, and yet this consummate King bucked the (certain) advice of his royal advisors, refused to set her aside, and upheld her against all common sense until her misbehavior was rubbed in his face publically. She was of value to him as more than a mother, overriding even love, and I do think that Arthur would have set aside even love in service to his kingdom.
July 29, 2021
This book is one of my all time favorites, and I so wish that all Parke Godwin's books were available in digital format. This imagining of what happened to Guinevere after Arthur's death was phenomenal. I suppose most fans of Arthurian tales would expect her to go into a nunnery after becoming a widow, but in this story, she becomes a fighter and so much more after that. If this were available on digital, I would buy it in a heartbeat, but I have to make do with my ratty old paperback, which I will probably re-read every year or so until it falls apart.
September 14, 2018
Surprising! Slow start, but worth finishing.
July 17, 2014
This is a Guenevere unlike most of the Gueneveres out there, and that's what makes this so fantastic. The story almost always ends with Arthur dying (maybe) and Guenevere packed off to the unknown (or a nunnery). But what could she have done? Who could she have been, this woman who broke the heart of a king?
Godwin sets up an amazing shift away from the "traditional" Arthurian styling by adding a facet of early English society, which the medievalist in me just loved. The first part of this book is a bit slow because it's the Arthurian narrative without Arthur, but once Guenevere gets out into her own story it just crackles with imagination and historical vibrancy. I love how much Godwin gets into who the English were--the Angles, the Jutes, the Icelings, the squabbling pieces of invaders who became a nation itself later invaded by the Normans. Every now and then some Old English is thrown in, too, and it's so subtly and brilliantly done. A worthy sequel, absolutely, even as it carries the burden of What Could Have Been into an appreciation of What Happened...Perhaps.
Godwin sets up an amazing shift away from the "traditional" Arthurian styling by adding a facet of early English society, which the medievalist in me just loved. The first part of this book is a bit slow because it's the Arthurian narrative without Arthur, but once Guenevere gets out into her own story it just crackles with imagination and historical vibrancy. I love how much Godwin gets into who the English were--the Angles, the Jutes, the Icelings, the squabbling pieces of invaders who became a nation itself later invaded by the Normans. Every now and then some Old English is thrown in, too, and it's so subtly and brilliantly done. A worthy sequel, absolutely, even as it carries the burden of What Could Have Been into an appreciation of What Happened...Perhaps.
March 4, 2011
An imaginative expansion on the Arthur legend, this book tells the story of Guinevere, mainly dealing with what happens to her after Arthur dies. Parts of the Arthur story are told in flashback, as the reader follows along with her inner musings on the past. But mostly in follows the former queen as she becomes enslaved by Saxon's and learns to admire their democratic system of governing. When she returns to her own people she is much changed for the better, but will her countrymen accept her strange new ideas?[return]An interesting blend of fantasy, legend, and history. It peaked my interest in history, but I didn't like the rambling thoughts of the main character sometimes. Still, this is a great way to experience some English history with a dash of the Arhur legend, albiet told in a more realistic manner.
August 1, 2015
A great ending to a great series. The story finishes with the ending of Firelord and Gwenevere is the primary character. Parke continues to impress with every read and it's so unfair and unfortunate that he isn't with us anymore because he was something special. These books will always stick with me due to the sensational writing and character development. Every single character in this book has there good and bad qualities but you fall in love with them in some way. I'm sad this series is over for me but I'm going to save the prequel for the future. I recommend this book and series to everyone who loves historical fiction and fantasy novels. Parke will never ever disappoint.
June 8, 2025
This is the story of Guinevere, wife of Arthur, Queen of Britain, after Arthur’s death. She tries to hold Britain together, but fails. She is captured and sold as a slave for ten years, is set free, returns home and tries to educate her people and the two warring rulers about the right of the people to participate in their rule. A truly wonderful interpretation and telling of part of the Arthurian legend.
February 16, 2013
This is the sequel to Firelord, and follows the fate of Guinevere after Arthurs death, Again, Godwins historical events and settings are quite accurate and Guinevere is narrator as Artur was narrator of Firelord. The trials and setbacks Guinevere faces give us a clear view of life in 5th century Great Britain. The cover of this edition is totally at odds with the story.
April 20, 2013
Another version of The Story. This time by Guenevere. Covers the time after Arthur's death. Country revolts. When fleeing from an attack she is scooped up by slavers who sell her to Saxons. Actually a pretty good read.
March 18, 2008
Not as good as its predecessor, Firelord, but for those interested in Arthuriana, still a good read.
October 29, 2012
This book is an awesome reselling of the legend AFTER the death of King Arthur from Guinevere's point of view. I loved this book more so than its predecessor.
March 30, 2016
This. Is. A. Good. Book.
May 3, 2017
What the heck did I just read??
To be fair, the first part was great as it continued on from "Firelord", which IMO was a very good book however ACT II, where the story veers off in a completely different direction and becomes its own story is absolutely terrible...boring... whatever non-positive adjectives you can come up with to describe how bad this was.
To be fair, the first part was great as it continued on from "Firelord", which IMO was a very good book however ACT II, where the story veers off in a completely different direction and becomes its own story is absolutely terrible...boring... whatever non-positive adjectives you can come up with to describe how bad this was.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews