Lancelot: The “historical fiction of the year” for me (so far)

Book: Lancelot

Author: Giles Kristian

Genre: Mythology, Historical Fiction, Romance

My rating: 3.94  / 5

image credit: Goodreads

Excerpt from Goodreads’ synopsis

Enemies stalk the fringes of Britain. And Uther Pendragon is dying. Into this fractured and uncertain world the boy is cast, a refugee from fire, murder and betrayal.

Yet he is gifted, and under the watchful eyes of Merlin and the Lady Nimue he will hone his talents… He will meet Guinevere, a wild, proud and beautiful girl, herself outcast because of her gift. And he will be dazzled by Arthur, a warrior who carries the hopes of a people like fire in the dark…

 

 

Before reading “Lancelot”, I didn’t know about “Arthurian Legend”.  

But my recent spurt of interest in Great Britain’s history (my husband blame it on my-still-reeling-under-colonial-hangover) made me pick this book.

 

And “Lancelot” is the best historical fiction/mythological retelling that I’ve read till now in 2018 or in the last one year.

 

I love big books but I don’t like books that stretch. In “Lancelot”, Giles Kristian struck the balance with aplomb.

 

The plot described the whole character arc of Lancelot–

• as a  kid on the refuge with his family,
• witnessing his whole kin getting butchered,
• ending up as an orphan apprentice warrior under the guardianship of Lady Nimue,
• falling in love and getting hurt in the process and finally,
• finding his salvation under King Arthur.

 

One of my pet peeves with modern-day feminist historical retelling is–

The women protagonists sound far ahead of their times. Ex.-“Circe”.

 

Book review: Circe

 

image credit: Vector Illustration by www.vecteezy.com

 

 

It’s wonderful to read powerful women taking charge, claiming sexual pleasure and all that jazz.

 

But logically – was it permissible for a woman (royal/poor nonetheless) from medieval era to walk, talk and act like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or Lena Dunham of today?

 

I know it’s kind of wish fulfillment. Still…

 

Giles Kristian could’ve taken the liberty and spun the love story between Lancelot and Queen Guinevere that of a barrier-bashing, societal rank-thrashing union of lovers.

 

But he showed – it was how it was.

 

Guinevere was married to King Arthur (latter, going by the book, came off as a valiant douchebag).

image credit: Free Vector Design by: Vecteezy.com

 

Lancelot was the swordsman-cum-chief-warrior-cum-companion under King Arthur’s service.

In one line-

he was overworked, underpaid and had loins- on- fire for  boss’s wife (his ex-sweetheart) but made no sexual advancement (with consent)- till Arthur rumored to be killed.

 

In short, Lancelot is the man we, ladies, desire (in the age of Tinder or wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am) but don’t deserve.

 

Pros-

 

• Giles Kristian writes poignant poetic words/phrases that will make you ponder for a moment and push you to fly through the pages.

 

• The POV. After reading so many books on the POV of a woman, it was a nice break and I was invested in the journey of Lancelot- from an orphan to one of the most formidable warriors in medieval Britain.
• The lifestyle of folks from different economic strata, the military strategies and most importantly- how Arthur possessed the mighty Excalibur sword was vivid to thumb through.

 

• The Ending is one of the best I’ve ever read. It was so heart-tugging that I had to shed a few tears for the loss of Lancelot and Guinevere.  

 

I re-read the climax for about 10 times to wallow in the heartache a l’il longer.

 

image credit: Free Vectors by www.Vecteezy.com

 

Cons:

 

• Guinevere’s character-arc could’ve been “meatier” than being the “object of desire” of two men.

 

• Same could’ve been said about King Arthur. He was just a benevolent, brave sourpuss.

 

So-

Q 1. Should you read “Lancelot”?

Ans. Only if you enjoy long books and appreciate a good cry just like a good laugh.

 

Q 2. Should the book deserve more brouhaha amidst the readers?

Ans. Absofuckinglutely.

 

 

Do you like historical fiction? Which one is your favorite book?

 

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