Myth, Legend and Mythology (eg King Arthur)

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

I'd almost forgotten Rosemary Sutcliff's Arthurian novels. I read them as a child.

My favourites though, would have to be Mary Stewart's awesome saga.

[Violet]

Yes I'm slowly making my way through Rosemary Sutcliff's other books and most of them do seem targeted toward children but not Sword at Sunset.

I read Mary Stewart's saga, let's see, probably 45 years ago, and I remember loving them, but the details and nuances have faded. I still have the original books, and have put them on my current to-read pile, so I can reacquaint myself. But I would say (as others have) that her books are historical fantasy, while Sword at Sunset is bluntly historical. The most fantastical thing in it would be "the little dark people." Not sure if they were Picts, or what.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

The Arthurian cycle is nothing more than Historical fantasy. So, to be honest, I find the fantasy elements of Arthurian novels more true to the spirit of the mythos than straight out historical novels. There is no real evidence that Arthur even existed.

[Lariela]

I keep meaning to read Mary Stewart's series, but haven't gotten around to it.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

I love them, Lariela. Especially the first book with the young Merlin, and the last book, where the main character is Mordred.

[Violet]

Margaret wrote: "The Arthurian cycle is nothing more than Historical fantasy. So, to be honest, I find the fantasy elements of Arthurian novels more true to the spirit of the mythos than straight out historical nov..."

Oh sorry, what I meant was the style of writing, and there's no obvious fantasy elements in the story, like Merlin. I think she wanted to portray the story as if it were historical. I could be wrong.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

Ahhh. I understand. Rosemary Sutcliffe was first and foremost an historical novelist. I honestly think writing anything mystical wasn't something she was comfortable with.

I have her book "The Lantern Bearers" at home. Picked it up at a book fair.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

It is interesting to look at the Arthurian mythos, though. When the saga turns from pursuit of the safety of the Realm, to the pursuit of the mystical Holy Grail... that's when everything starts to come crashing down for Arthur.

[Craig]

The King Must Die and The Bull from the Sea on a historical retelling of Theseus and the slaying of the Minotaur and his winning of his Amazon bride and the subsequent invasion of Attica.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

Just finished reading "Lady MacBeth's Daughter", as the book has a sprinkling of Celtic myth and magic, this seems like the best place to recommend it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Ian]

Hi all, I hope some of you may be interested to hear about my new translation of The Saga of Didrik of Bern.



Didrik of Bern (also known as Dietrich or Thidrek) was a well-known legendary hero, especially in Germany and Scandinavia. The saga tells his story ...

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

It is great to see these Sagas getting translated to English.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

For the Most Beautiful: A Novel of the Women of Troy is an excellent retelling of the Trojan War from a female perspective.

It comes complete with the gods as characters, so my review belongs here. :)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

I am on a massive mythology kick at the moment.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Penny]

My most recent novel The Saxon Wolves is set in post-Roman Britain and was inspired by the theory of King Arthur as a fifth century warrior, rather than a later medieval knight in shining armour. I love the way archaeology can shed light on the old myths. The legends tell us Tintagel in Cornwall was Arthur's stronghold. And recent archaeological discoveries have proved there was a high status fortress on the clifftop in the fifth century, enjoying luxury goods from the Byzantine world and beyond.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I prefer to think of Arthur as just a warrior too, not the unrealistic fairytale he is so often portrayed as.

[S.W.]

Some good Arthurian books I've read recently:

Brian J. Lang Knight Evident Kinda Monty Pythonesque....

Petrea Burchard Camelot & Vine Twain's Yankee with a fun rom com twist....

Recommended to me:

J.M. Hofer Rise of the Pendragon Islands in the Mist Welsh emphasis....

Eric Tanafon Robin Hood: Wolf's Head

[Penny]

Hi Terri, I find it strange the academics are so sceptical about the idea of a fifth century Arthur, especially when he is mentioned at least three times in the very early source material as a great warrior who fought valiantly against the Saxon invaders.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

Not all academics, Penny. Most who are experts in either the stories or the early Middle Ages agree that there had to be a real character for the stories to adhere to.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I see the new book by Madeline Miller is due for release this year.

Circe

She wrote that book Song of Achilles

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

I'm keeping an eye out for that, Terri. I really enjoyed Song of Achilles.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

April 2018 release. I wonder if it releases in the US at the same time.

[Allison]

I only made it half way through (will try to finish though) but I am rather curious about

[Sarah]

Outside of King Arthur, I just finished Circe by Madeline Miller and found it to be, in some ways, phenomenal.

mythic fiction is my favorite genre so I will probably post more of my collection when I get home.

[Sarah]

I am really excited to go through the suggestions in this thread! I'm sure I'll be adding a lot to my lists.

[Ace]

Sarah wrote: "Outside of King Arthur, I just finished Circe by Madeline Miller and found it to be, in some ways, phenomenal.

mythic fiction is my favorite genre so I will probably post more of my collection wh..."

I'll be starting Circe in a few days. I loved The Song of Achilles.

[S.W.]

"Luke: I AM your father" err.... "Mordred: I AM your father".

"May the Fourth be with you!"

[Sarah]

I haven't read Song of Achilles but I'm planning too soon. I hope you like Circe; I'm interested in peoples' thoughts on it.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of Excalibur - I read the first two books over the Christmas break, but was unable to find this one. I've mail ordered it.

It's one of the best Arthurian series I've read.

[Tamara]

Sarah wrote: "I haven't read Song of Achilles but I'm planning too soon. I hope you like Circe; I'm interested in peoples' thoughts on it."

I liked The Song of Achilles but wasn't too keen on Circe. I know a lot of people liked it. I was hoping to find a much stronger, empowered Circe. So it just wasn't for me.

My review of Circe in case you're interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dan]

I've been looking at BC's Warlord Chronicles. It sounds really interesting. I'll have to add this to my "Want to Read" list. Thanks.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

I loved the first two books, Dan. I'm now impatiently waiting for the arrival of the last book.

[Tim]

I've just started Lancelot by Giles Kristian. Seems promising so far.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I was reading an excerpt form it the other day that made it sound like it has fantasy elements. Which has completely put me off reading it.
It had Merlin watching Lancelot and Guinevere through the eyes of a squirrel. :/

[Tim]

Terri wrote: "
It had Merlin watching Lancelot and Guinevere through the eyes of a squirrel..."

Ah. So far, Merlin hasn't appeared, but this would explain some odd passages where the action was described from the point of view of various animals or birds. I thought maybe the authour was trying to be all Ted Hughes.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Yeah, that's just too out there for me. I like it to stay real. To feel what it was like to live in these times. When fantasy or trippy elements come into books I thought were straight up, I run for the hills.

Most likely, this will be the only Giles Kristian I will never read. Which is a shame as he has been a favourite author of mine for many years,

[Tim]

I've been persevering with Lancelot and its still holding my attention, though its very slow moving and "epic" rather than the usual action & adventure i read. Lancelot has spent most of it living on an island off Cornwall for example. It's more of a romance/tragic love story and it looks like the animal visions may be influenced by hallucinogenic herbal concoctions rather than magic but that's not confirmed yet. The historical setting is good but for some reason the 5th Century Britons are pagan, which is not really correct and a bit odd. I think maybe people expect/prefer that idea today rather than the historical version. Also it will probably help please the New Age audience.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I decided a few weeks back that it won't be for me that book. I was on the fence about it after it first came out. I wanted to read it because I enjoyed Kristian's Viking novels. But, I realise nowadays that liking the authors other books isn't enough to get me interested in Lancelot.
The romantic elements, which I guess you have to expect with a story about Lancelot, was always a put off for me, and when I found out about the animal hallucinations, I went right off it. That is definitely not for me.

Although I love his Viking stuff the latest trilogy waffled at times. And I felt it could have lost some fat without damaging the story.
Sounds like maybe that's going on here with Lancelot too.