Witches, Weres, and Vamps, Oh MY! discussion
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Does the 'Once and Futre King' have a future?
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Mallory, White and Steinbeck did an excellent job with King Arthur that I personally think the story should be left alone. You can create a wonderful story on your own, without having to borrow details from the other. It's like fanfiction, having to borrow from an original story. I havn't read your story and don't intent to as it's not available here anyway (USA). But you asked for opinions, so giving you mine. I like historical romances and read them all the time, but I'm less likely to read this since you borrowed from the original tale, which I prefer to read in its original versions. That's not to say I don't read fanfiction from time to time.
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I think Arthur, just like Cinderella, Beauty, and Robin Hood, can be revitalized with new ideas and unexpected twists.
I get tired of retellings of Robin Hood, etc as well. Occassionally they are done well (like the movie Ever After) but I find it gets old, quick. There are only so many ways to keep telling the same story. Then again, I also hate prequels and dislike that they are recycling old tv shows into movies. Generally, I guess I just prefer the originals. It's got to be a really new take on an old story if it's to hold my interest at all.
Hi Malcolm, My initial response is that Arthur stories have been overdone. I read them voraciously when younger and haven't picked one up in years because I became tired of the same ol' same ol'.Then I read the description of your book and am very intrigued. I would read your book based on the description alone. To me, it is different because it seems to be a crossover between the present and Arthur's time.
Will your book be availale in the US or as an ebook anywhere?
Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "Mallory, White and Steinbeck did an excellent job with King Arthur that I personally think the story should be left alone. You can create a wonderful story on your own, without having to borrow det..."Most stories talk back to other stories. For example, the current crop of vampire tales all talk back to either folk tales and legends or to Stoker's Dracula or Le Fanu's vampire novella Carmella. I don't know if you're a fan of the Twilightseries but one might argue that Meyer has 'borrowed' and that her twist is simply to make Edward and his family into vegetarians. Harry Potter borrows heavily from a class of British books from the 20s to the 50s that dealt with boarding school experiences. You'll have know argument from me about Mallory, White and Steinbeck doing an excellent job but to call their works 'original versions' is to forget the Mabinogion, the original Welsh stories out which these writers and Geoffrey of Monmouth - the man who put chivalry and romance into the whole tale - 'borrowed' their material. I understand why you like the versions you've mentioned and have no problem with that and I'm fully with you on the prequel thing. A lot of people who've read my novel have asked 'when's the sequel coming out?' I don't want to do a sequel because the book was written as a one off, stand alone and I'm done with it. Anyway, before you completely write me off ('scuse the pun) why don't you check out some of the extracts on my website; they're short, so I promise I won't torture you too much with my reworking of the original. And you never know ... you may be surprised.
I know Mallory was working off folklore but I thought Le Morte DArthur was one of the first written Arthurian tales. (Inside cover says it was written by a Norman scholar in 1175). Steinbeck and White are probably more read being more recent. I've got all three (and one by Pyle) but must admit Le Morte D'Arthur is a very hard read. I havn't finished it yet.
Kathryn wrote: "Hi Malcolm, My initial response is that Arthur stories have been overdone. I read them voraciously when younger and haven't picked one up in years because I became tired of the same ol' same ol'...."
Yes, I'm in agreement about the overcooking of Arthur in general, which is what prompted the question. But I was as much interested in exploring various themes around power and abuse as I was on exploring the Dark Ages Arthur (as opposed to all the Romance retellings). In terms of you getting hold of the book in the States: unfortunately the book hasn’t been taken up by the American arm of my publishers – they’re probably sticking with known authors because of the global financial crisis. It does however appear to be on Amazon but with the following cryptic note: Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available.
Here’s some links to the book at various branches of Amazon.
Amazon.com
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
I hope this is of help. If you do get a copy and read it I’d love your feedback – good, bad or indifferent.
Happy reading,
Malcolm.
Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "I know Mallory was working off folklore but I thought Le Morte DArthur was one of the first written Arthurian tales. (Inside cover says it was written by a Norman scholar in 1175). S..."Agreed - it is a hard read and I never finished it in the end. The Norman scholar was Geoffrey of Monmouth who began the popularisation the chivalrous Romance retellings. Interesting bloke. But it certainly helped the Norman's claim to the throne of England ... nothing like getting your lineage hooked up to a legendary superstar like Arthur.
I bought it, I started it, but it was a tough enough read I gave up. I figure at some point I'll revisit it. Eventually. I havn't sold the book anyway. lol
It's a hard one when you buy something, particularly a classic like that, and you really cannot get into the spirit of it. I guess with it being written for a 15th C highly limited and educated readership then the language is always going to sound archaic to the modern ear. On that note I did rather enjoy Tennyson's Idylls of the King but then the English the Victorians spoke, while formal, wasn't that different from ours.There's always that sense of 'I ought to make the effort because everyone says it's a classic' but then I rather like the British author Nick Hornby's take that 'life is too short to read books you don't like.' I think it was him?
I have a terrible problem selling books; I've really got to detest them before I part with them.
All the best,
Malcolm.
I've just really noticed your nom de plume: 'Master Book Sale Huntress' - bit slow sometimes, me - and I see now the reference to 'haven't sold it yet'. I'm assuming that this means you're an avid buyer of books? Do you have a book out book in policy for shelf space or do you just go for it and have stacks of books piled on the floor like we used to. All I can say is 'thank you' to that well-known Norse god - Ikea.
I've been a fan of the King Arthur legends since I was a kid. Camelot is still one of my favorite movies and I've read a lot of books. The last one that I thought was a really different take was THE MISTS OF AVALON, which I know many people REALLY don't like. Has been some time since I read any books on the subject, but I could definitely have my interest piqued by something "different".
I have bookcases all over the house. I usually buy books used from thrift shops, garage sales, the annual library book sale and occassionally buy used online. It's rare for me to pay full price for a book. I also have boxes of really old books in the basement. My bookshelves are also 2 or 3 deep and 2 high for paperbacks. lol As for Mallory's book, I used to do medieval re-enactments so I figured the language shouldn't be that hard for me. But it's still a slow hard book to read. It may be around 1000 pages, but my hardback copy is still nearly two inches thick.
I've contacted a couple of medieval re-enactment groups in the UK in the vain hope that they may be interested in my book: one bite and a nibble so far. I saw a couple of those groups at alternative fairs in the UK in the eighties - we nicknamed them 'Alternative Vikings' - and there's one at Adelaide University where I used to teach - they look like a lot of fun. People seem to get quite serious about the whole kitting out process: heavy duty conversations about weapons between the guys and the authenticity of late Renaissance bodices bodices between the women.
The international group I was part of is the SCA (Society for Creative Ananchronism). There is a wide range of participants from the casual player to the person whose mundane life pays for their medieval life. I was on the very mild side. Just enough garb to look mildly authentic but not obcessed with hoop skirts and ruffs. lol (I wore tunics. Easier to sew.)
Yes, that's the mob I was trying to think of. This Viking group were associated with them. Thank you ... my memory needs an overhaul. Too much trivia sitting around waiting for quiz questions and crosswords.
There are actully book groups who read nothing but retellings of King Arther. I guess there are some who enjoy the story again and again. I admit I have one story I reread in every form I can. Its Cinderella. So I say there is a market for everything
There is always a future for a well written story. Whether it obviously borrows from something familliar or doesn't. A good story is a good story and always worth reading!
Melodie wrote: "I've been a fan of the King Arthur legends since I was a kid. Camelot is still one of my favorite movies and I've read a lot of books. The last one that I thought was a really different take was ..."Hi Melodie,
Thanks for being part of the discussion. Like you, I thought the Mists of Avalon was a good read and I think it was probably one of the first Arthurian novels to look at the legend from the woman's perspective.
I'd like to think my book is 'different' although, as I said in my opening thread, I wouldn't claim it as original (bit hard to, having stolen the Arthur legend and run with it). It's always hard to comment objectively on something one's written oneself. I think perhaps what is different about The Stone Crown is the mixture of two contemporary teenagers, the druidic slant I've put on Merlin and the placement of Arthur as a much earlier historical figure rather than the one from the Romance period. Like one of my favourite authors, Alan Garner, I try very hard not to just write for the sake of it, not to put something out there unless it's the best I can do. Anyway, should you eventually read a copy I'd be very interested in your comments.
Renee wrote: "There are actully book groups who read nothing but retellings of King Arther. I guess there are some who enjoy the story again and again. I admit I have one story I reread in every form I can. Its ..."Hi Renee
But you don't just read Cinderella stories ... I bet you read other stuff, right? Reading only reworkings of Arthurian stories would be like a diet of only one kind of food, surely. Wouldn't one get bored with it?
LOL I am probably one of the most eclictic reader you will find. I read all genres but self help. I had a huge following when I worked at B&N for just that reason. But I will always head towards a Cinderella Story.
Nothing wrong in following your favourites.
Arthurian legend has long been one of my favorite fiction topics and I still love to read different versions of the legends. The Mists of Avalon remains my favorite, but I think there is always room to rework such material. Especially with Arthurian legend, as there are so many different directions the stories can go. The summary of your book sounds really interesting should it become available in the US eventually.
Hi Erin,Yes as far as historical reworkings go The Mists of Avalon takes some beating. Thanks for the compliment on the book. Well, should you feel inclined, I believe you can order it off Amazon in Canada (I'm assuming that they'd post stuff into the US?).
Best,
Malcolm.
Witches, Weres, and Vamps, Oh MY!
Books mentioned in this topic
Le Morte DArthur (other topics)Le Morte DArthur (other topics)
Shanon suggested I post something about my book and try and get a bit of a discussion going (difficult when it's not available until 2 November), but anyway here goes.
I’m an Australian-based (UK born) author whose debut novel, The Stone Crown, is coming out in the UK this November. It’s done quite well in Australia. The novel (young adult/adult cross-over) takes a fresh look at the Arthurian myth and the Matter of Britain, and is set in the Borders of Scotland. It has a paranormal slant (in fact I've described the book at author talks as 'paranormal social-realism') but it doesn't have the kind of horror slant that vampire and werewolf stories have - I guess it leans more towards a rent in the fabric of reality, a kind of haunting through time where the trapped spirits of Arthur's guard are called forth from where they've been sleeping for 1400 years. Been done before, like most thins, so I'm not claiming it's original.
I'm heavily into strong female leads. One of the main protagonists is a feisty Geordie lass. A lot of adult readers and a number of Australian authors have found it a good read; there have been some excellent reviews as well, with one reviewer saying, “Forget Camelot and chivalry ... this is an intriguing fantasy told with poetic intensity, and an innovative approach to the Arthur we all think we know."
My question, which harks to the topic header, is really has Arthur been done to death? Is it all over for him fictionally or can authors like myself resurrect him continually by reworking and embellishing a tried and tested tale? Go for it, folks.
If you want to check me out or read some short extracts from the book my website is: www.malcolmwalker.com.au If people are interested in the book (what with having to wait until early November) I'd be happy to post some more teasers or email them to people. But, like my dear old mum used to say, don't let's get ahead of ourselves here.