Arthuriana -- all things King Arthur ! discussion

Welcome everyone! Ready to begin discussion on Part One of the novel...

I am beginning to realize the attraction of this Cornwell fellow. His tone goes from dire to ironic with no forecast. Or maybe it is just me. After all those little dialogs between Derfel & Igraine at the begining of each part. Maybe we are to know that we WON'T know what to make of this story,-- so much Derfel's story, so much Arthur's story and more.

I think the story moved more quickly in this first part of book 2 as compared to the 1st book. As Anna said, we see the magic of Merlin & Nimue, and the amusing lack of magic (and power) of Diwrnach with his shields of virgin skins. That was the ironic part to me.


Speaking of magic, of the storytelling kind, there is something a little bit charming about this book. I am beginning to see how it has held its own with the more mainstream Arthuriad. Many other Arthurian tales open a well-worn book of tales and add great details to the inside. Cornwell plays with the wider era of the time period and might-have-been characters outside the well-worn book. I like both approaches.

It was interesting when Nimue looked at the runes on the sword. I have been researching early English for a project, so I already had runes on my mind.

I was really glad we heard Ceinwyn's side of things. Her choice of her place in the world is one of better choices of any of the characters in the story -- like Anna said -- "Who knew?" She gained respect from Cuneglas, Arthur and Galahad -- all men strongly connected with her situation.

Here I might mention that I am enjoying how Galahad is being written and HOPE that there will be more there. In spite of his glorious fame, his story in modern fiction seems to get short-changed. (PLEASE, somebody correct me if I am wrong - I would love to read some good stories of Galahad.) (Dee, I have read Grail Prince, loved it -- and why do they put the romancey cover on a story like that?)


Ok, someone else's turn.....

Where "The Winter King" takes it's time, This first part of "Enemy of God" went off like a rocket...Well, not really but it moves right along. (view spoiler)[ When Ceinwyn turns down Lancelot and choses Derfel I was shocked. Such an unexpected happiness for Derfel who seems destined for struggle and pain. Cornwell has created two extremely likable characters here but as Anna suggests the foreshadowing makes enjoying their happiness together all the more painful.

I too really enjoy Galahad but there is starting to be a pattern of Galahad/Merlin stepping in and saving the day. Is this becoming a bit too predicatable? Only the future chapters know and I'm all too happy to find out. (hide spoiler)]

Ah, Merlin reborn in the cauldron. Nice touch. A wee bit of theatre from the beardy wyrdy one. This happens a bit with old cauldrons, and I think he was on some kind of "herb" related quest when all thought he'd died, a ritual death and rebirth. But what did he bring back with him? Knowledge?
This, tied with the victory of Arthur, is the ritual end of the old and start of the new. Then the warm wind from the sea, new weather, bringing the fog to allow a way out between the worlds?
I think Derfel and the boys could have taken the wild Irish in a "square go" though...still, nice to see the old goat Merlin do his thing.
The scene when Ceinwyn blanked Lance was great.
As was Merlin's cheese related rant.

I have to say as enjoyable as I'm finding this all I'm still hoping that Orkney-Boy Gawain turns up at some point.

Sarah, Nimue would probably have used ogham rather than runes on Derfel's sword. Runes being Germanic/Norse in origin, Saxon magic. Ogham is the old tree alphabet. A line or edge is marked with other lines that cross it to form different letters on it. Read from foot to head...as a tree grows.