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Guinevere: Bright Shadow
“You may think you know my story. My name has been bandied in ballads and jests, for good and (mostly) for ill. High Queen, priestess, adulterer… but first and always a woman. Courage and honor shaped me; ecstasy transported me; grief, betrayal and terror tempered me.
“My loyalty to the Goddess was supreme. But as the new religion took hold, the pagan way was threatened with extinction. There were those on both sides who would use me as a pawn in that battle, even if it meant taking my life.
“Yes, I bear my portion of blame. I loved Arthur, and I loved Lancelot, will I or no. But that was only one element in the impending chaos. Britain was divided, my love was divided, and such divisions cannot endure. I did everything in my power – and learned new powers – to prevent an all-out war. But would it be enough?”
“My loyalty to the Goddess was supreme. But as the new religion took hold, the pagan way was threatened with extinction. There were those on both sides who would use me as a pawn in that battle, even if it meant taking my life.
“Yes, I bear my portion of blame. I loved Arthur, and I loved Lancelot, will I or no. But that was only one element in the impending chaos. Britain was divided, my love was divided, and such divisions cannot endure. I did everything in my power – and learned new powers – to prevent an all-out war. But would it be enough?”
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2022
18 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 21, 2023
First off, it must be said that Provost’s novel, written from Guinevere’s point of view, would make a wonderful movie. The pacing and movement of the plot, and the details of scene and character, would be outright magical in the hands of the right director. This reader can’t help but imagine the various settings of landscape and court, and the features and quirks of certain characters, set to moving image and sound.
A few general observations can be made without spoilers for your read. The novel leaves essential elements of some of the earliest forms of Arthurian legend intact, but disentangles those from familiar supernatural authority fables or explicit faery otherworld involvement. A few magical practices are present, but not as an organizing principle. Christianity is making inroads, disrupting Druidic and Mithraic communities and traditions. The characters’ conflicts play out through alternate, more believable, interpretations of many of the actions taken, especially by people with power. Justice itself as an idea is under contestation (as it usually really is). You will recognize the names of the most of the characters – Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot, Mordred, Morgan le Fay – but they do not appear in the ways that likely are constructed in your mind by previous stories.
The character of Guinevere is of course the very heart of the book, and she is much more three-dimensional and sympathetic. She is trained as a priestess of the goddess, and Arthur’s conversion to Christianity – a betrayal of her in more than one way – has a very dark root explanation.
The short interludes of her inner voice, which can be richer than the overall narrative one, allow the reader to enjoy the poetic reverberations of her emotions and thoughts with surrounding natural and cultural rhythms and signals. An example:
“It was as though I was walking in a sun-drenched meadow, and a winged, ravening thing fell on me from the sky and closed me in darkness. That sudden.
By the time the midsummer moon had set, I was sere at my heart’s root, and all my shining illusions lay in shards.”
The addition of the character of Catlin, Guinevere’s protective and practical friend, provides an ongoing touchstone for this world’s cautions. Catlin’s own struggles with assigning blame for all that has happened – quite a lot happened – end with a decision to prioritize actions of healing. It’s clear that this articulation affects Guinevere’s own difficult decision-making as waves of Saxons overtake the Celtic lands.
By the end of the novel, Guinevere has found an unexpected community of influence and respect, and a new way forward for meaningful action and companionship, if not one that anyone including herself had predicted as her purpose or fate. Guinevere: Bright Shadow imaginatively resonates with some issues of our own time and place and is a brilliant addition to the ever-changing stories of these enduring characters of Camelot and Avalon.
A few general observations can be made without spoilers for your read. The novel leaves essential elements of some of the earliest forms of Arthurian legend intact, but disentangles those from familiar supernatural authority fables or explicit faery otherworld involvement. A few magical practices are present, but not as an organizing principle. Christianity is making inroads, disrupting Druidic and Mithraic communities and traditions. The characters’ conflicts play out through alternate, more believable, interpretations of many of the actions taken, especially by people with power. Justice itself as an idea is under contestation (as it usually really is). You will recognize the names of the most of the characters – Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot, Mordred, Morgan le Fay – but they do not appear in the ways that likely are constructed in your mind by previous stories.
The character of Guinevere is of course the very heart of the book, and she is much more three-dimensional and sympathetic. She is trained as a priestess of the goddess, and Arthur’s conversion to Christianity – a betrayal of her in more than one way – has a very dark root explanation.
The short interludes of her inner voice, which can be richer than the overall narrative one, allow the reader to enjoy the poetic reverberations of her emotions and thoughts with surrounding natural and cultural rhythms and signals. An example:
“It was as though I was walking in a sun-drenched meadow, and a winged, ravening thing fell on me from the sky and closed me in darkness. That sudden.
By the time the midsummer moon had set, I was sere at my heart’s root, and all my shining illusions lay in shards.”
The addition of the character of Catlin, Guinevere’s protective and practical friend, provides an ongoing touchstone for this world’s cautions. Catlin’s own struggles with assigning blame for all that has happened – quite a lot happened – end with a decision to prioritize actions of healing. It’s clear that this articulation affects Guinevere’s own difficult decision-making as waves of Saxons overtake the Celtic lands.
By the end of the novel, Guinevere has found an unexpected community of influence and respect, and a new way forward for meaningful action and companionship, if not one that anyone including herself had predicted as her purpose or fate. Guinevere: Bright Shadow imaginatively resonates with some issues of our own time and place and is a brilliant addition to the ever-changing stories of these enduring characters of Camelot and Avalon.
October 21, 2023
Guinevere: Bright Shadow by Sarah Provost
Challenging, dark, emotional, informative, inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 ⭐
Over the years, I've read lots of history books. I've also read numbers of Arthurian Legends (mostly when I was young...about forty years ago), so the story in this book was familiar, but still the details were fuzzy by this point.
Also, being a fan of Fantasy books (all my life), I can see the prototypes of these heroes and villains in this story. For example, my favourite Fantasy series...The Wheel of Time, was heavily influenced by Arthur and the stories that revolved (wheel) around him.
For this story, specifically...I'd never read/seen anything that had focused on Guinevere...so that is what attracted me.
Loved the writing style. I was uncomfortable with the religious angst within the story, but that's the way the reader SHOULD be (IMO).
Guinevere is the hero of this story, but I never saw her as someone that always did right, but someone who tried her hardest to be TRUE to herself and her beliefs.
The struggles that Arthur goes through within this story are not always known. Our point of view character was Guinevere and she didn't know everything.
Lancelot and his relationship was/is a tragic story. I felt for him (and Guinevere), but saw him at least end his days fighting for HIS own truth (which sort of aligns with Guinevere, but not totally).
I'm really glad that I read this book...and I want to thank the author for this gift. I look forward to reading other things she's written in the near future.
Challenging, dark, emotional, informative, inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 ⭐
Over the years, I've read lots of history books. I've also read numbers of Arthurian Legends (mostly when I was young...about forty years ago), so the story in this book was familiar, but still the details were fuzzy by this point.
Also, being a fan of Fantasy books (all my life), I can see the prototypes of these heroes and villains in this story. For example, my favourite Fantasy series...The Wheel of Time, was heavily influenced by Arthur and the stories that revolved (wheel) around him.
For this story, specifically...I'd never read/seen anything that had focused on Guinevere...so that is what attracted me.
Loved the writing style. I was uncomfortable with the religious angst within the story, but that's the way the reader SHOULD be (IMO).
Guinevere is the hero of this story, but I never saw her as someone that always did right, but someone who tried her hardest to be TRUE to herself and her beliefs.
The struggles that Arthur goes through within this story are not always known. Our point of view character was Guinevere and she didn't know everything.
Lancelot and his relationship was/is a tragic story. I felt for him (and Guinevere), but saw him at least end his days fighting for HIS own truth (which sort of aligns with Guinevere, but not totally).
I'm really glad that I read this book...and I want to thank the author for this gift. I look forward to reading other things she's written in the near future.
March 28, 2023
As a child, I loved looking beneath rocks to see what lived there. I didn’t always like what I saw, but was fascinated nonetheless. Those childhood adventures in curiosity taught me that there is so much more in the world than what’s on the surface.
How many versions of King Arthur and Merlin have we all been exposed to?? King Arthur who could do no wrong and his wife Guinevere who did him wrong with his best friend. Reading this book was rather like looking under a big old rock and finding a world of industry, survival of whole small communities reside there. I loved reading about Guinevere-the woman- the human all fleshed out and alive, not the cardboard cutout she is made out to be in the telling of Arthurian tales. Wonderful, absorbing read. If you are one that wants to read this- do yourself a favor-read it. It’s quite wonderful and will be so worth your time.
Normally, I can go from one book to another with great ease. Not so with this book - the sounds, the flavors, the feelings, the colors and textures this wonderful author painted in this reader’s head and heart linger and live a while longer the way a fine meal lingers on the palate, not wanting to be disturbed by dessert.
Beach time is near-you will want a good read-this is it!!
How many versions of King Arthur and Merlin have we all been exposed to?? King Arthur who could do no wrong and his wife Guinevere who did him wrong with his best friend. Reading this book was rather like looking under a big old rock and finding a world of industry, survival of whole small communities reside there. I loved reading about Guinevere-the woman- the human all fleshed out and alive, not the cardboard cutout she is made out to be in the telling of Arthurian tales. Wonderful, absorbing read. If you are one that wants to read this- do yourself a favor-read it. It’s quite wonderful and will be so worth your time.
Normally, I can go from one book to another with great ease. Not so with this book - the sounds, the flavors, the feelings, the colors and textures this wonderful author painted in this reader’s head and heart linger and live a while longer the way a fine meal lingers on the palate, not wanting to be disturbed by dessert.
Beach time is near-you will want a good read-this is it!!
January 6, 2023
An engaging, well-written, well-paced book....it re-tells the King Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot story with a fascinating twist....it is told from Guinevere' point of view. I loved the wonderful, often poetic writing, the excellence of phrase. But don't worry--the writing advances the plot, and the story as told moves you along with it.
I have loved this basic story since I first saw it on Broadway, as Camelot, and I loved this version just as much....and the focus on Guinevere's point of view added a richness of detail, more emphasis on the changes and challenges of the time, and a tenderness that was new.
An absorbing novel always makes a good start to a New Year! This is a fine one to start off 2023 with!
I have loved this basic story since I first saw it on Broadway, as Camelot, and I loved this version just as much....and the focus on Guinevere's point of view added a richness of detail, more emphasis on the changes and challenges of the time, and a tenderness that was new.
An absorbing novel always makes a good start to a New Year! This is a fine one to start off 2023 with!
February 9, 2023
Everyone knows the story of King Author and Lancelot...
But have you ever wondered what Guinevere's side of the story is?
Look no further than this telling of a classic story.... love, betrayal, magic, and a kingdom at odds.
This was a delightful read. The characters were realistic, the world-building was transforming, and Provost fantastically blurred the lines between good vs. evil. I finished the book and was sad that Guinevere's story had come to an end... the mark of a genuinely well-written novel!
But have you ever wondered what Guinevere's side of the story is?
Look no further than this telling of a classic story.... love, betrayal, magic, and a kingdom at odds.
This was a delightful read. The characters were realistic, the world-building was transforming, and Provost fantastically blurred the lines between good vs. evil. I finished the book and was sad that Guinevere's story had come to an end... the mark of a genuinely well-written novel!
March 9, 2023
Well-written and powerful!
January 28, 2024
This piqued my interest, and it didn't disappoint! If you like a bit of pagan v Christianity, old English v Saxon invaders, and Arthur and Guinevere stories, this is just the ticket.
February 17, 2024
An excellent telling of the Arthur legend from Guienevre’s point of view. Sarah Provost pulls you right into the world of Guinevere.
January 25, 2023
Guenivere Bright Shadow is the most entertaining book that I have read in years. The story is fast moving and packed with surprises! It's a very different take on medieval history from a very different perspective (Guinevere's) vs the other more common perspectives. I highly recommend this book!
April 27, 2023
4 ⭐️
Guinevere: Bright Shadow was a very good novel about the arthurian legend in Guinevere's perspective.
Plot
As I said above, this book is about the events of the legend of King Arthur in the perspective of his wife, Guinevere.
The plot of the book was good. I'm a huge fan of this legend, so fo course I would love this. I think the author made a good job. However, I wish this book could have been at least a duology or a trilogy. Because this was a standalone, some events were really rushed as well as some relationship, I think if this book was a trilogy, the author would have more time to explain some important events or to develop even more some relationship between the characters.
Characters
Guinevere
I love how the author portrays her. She is Celtic and his trying to keep her old religion when Christianity starts to disseminate through the country. She is strong and determinate and I think she was a very good queen, who cared for her people. She has her own flaws, but that only makes her more human and relatable.
Lancelot
I also liked Lancelot's character. He is always one of my favorite character, because I think he always was a very complex character. Again, I wish this book could have been longer, because I would to see more of him.
Arthur
I said before, Arthur is always a character that I can't relate. Yes, I feel sorry for him in the end, but he is always portrayed as a very perfect person and king, but in here the author gives him flaws and I thought he was more relatable.
Catlin
Catlin was Guinevere's best friend since childhood and is always there for her during the whole novel. I really liked her, it was good to see her and her relationship between her and Guinevere.
Writing
I read the Kindle version and I found some typos and one time one page repeated two times, but despite this, I like the writing in general. I thought it was simple, but there was some quotes that made me cry.
World-Building
The world-building was very interesting. My favorite part was seeing the old religion vs the new religion. I liked how the author showed the conflict and the tension between these them.
Romance
The famous love triangle is here and while I know some people don't like, it's actually my favorite part of the legend. I tragic love story between Lancelot and Guinevere is my favorite part of the legend and I loved how the author portrayed their relationship and their love.
I think the love triangle was good. It shows that all three of them loved each other dearly, different types of love, but the reader can see how much they care for each other. That only makes this story even more tragic.
Final Thoughts
This a wonderful book about the arthurian legend in Guinevere's perspective.
Guinevere: Bright Shadow was a very good novel about the arthurian legend in Guinevere's perspective.
Plot
As I said above, this book is about the events of the legend of King Arthur in the perspective of his wife, Guinevere.
The plot of the book was good. I'm a huge fan of this legend, so fo course I would love this. I think the author made a good job. However, I wish this book could have been at least a duology or a trilogy. Because this was a standalone, some events were really rushed as well as some relationship, I think if this book was a trilogy, the author would have more time to explain some important events or to develop even more some relationship between the characters.
Characters
Guinevere
I love how the author portrays her. She is Celtic and his trying to keep her old religion when Christianity starts to disseminate through the country. She is strong and determinate and I think she was a very good queen, who cared for her people. She has her own flaws, but that only makes her more human and relatable.
Lancelot
I also liked Lancelot's character. He is always one of my favorite character, because I think he always was a very complex character. Again, I wish this book could have been longer, because I would to see more of him.
Arthur
I said before, Arthur is always a character that I can't relate. Yes, I feel sorry for him in the end, but he is always portrayed as a very perfect person and king, but in here the author gives him flaws and I thought he was more relatable.
Catlin
Catlin was Guinevere's best friend since childhood and is always there for her during the whole novel. I really liked her, it was good to see her and her relationship between her and Guinevere.
Writing
I read the Kindle version and I found some typos and one time one page repeated two times, but despite this, I like the writing in general. I thought it was simple, but there was some quotes that made me cry.
World-Building
The world-building was very interesting. My favorite part was seeing the old religion vs the new religion. I liked how the author showed the conflict and the tension between these them.
Romance
The famous love triangle is here and while I know some people don't like, it's actually my favorite part of the legend. I tragic love story between Lancelot and Guinevere is my favorite part of the legend and I loved how the author portrayed their relationship and their love.
I think the love triangle was good. It shows that all three of them loved each other dearly, different types of love, but the reader can see how much they care for each other. That only makes this story even more tragic.
Final Thoughts
This a wonderful book about the arthurian legend in Guinevere's perspective.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews