[Mithfânion]

Anyone familiar with it? Its set during the hundred years war. A bit like Sharp, except better http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Just learned its published as "harlequin" in England.

[This message has been edited by Mithfânion (edited January 07, 2002).]

[SusF]

My copy will be picked up at the library tomorrow. Give me a day or two and we'll talk! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Susan

[Mithfânion]

You buy too many books!

("you're black" said the raven to the crow) http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Barbarossa]

Read it as Harlequin, a bit too much like Sharpe for me. But still entertaining.
Did you read his Warlord chronicles? His best work in my opinion.

Another thing: Did anyone else laugh during the LOTR movie, when Sean Bean/Boromir picked up Narsil and cut his finger saying "It's still sharp(e)

[Mithfânion]

Haven't read his Warlord chronicles but I think they might be very good. It seems to be a very gritty, hard take on the Arthurian legens, a bit of a twist. It's also from the POV of this derfel character right?

You've read it, I'm always interested in three things when it comes to Arthurian lore:

1. How is Arthur himself portrayed
2. What does he do with the supposed "magical" aspect of the legend, is there some sort of magic in it or not?

3. How does he portray Merlin? I've read of Merlin twice as a young sage, I'd like to see him as somewhat older.

[Barbarossa]

Oh I will tackle your questions from behind:

3) He's ancient even as the books start.
He's very enigmatic, fairly brilliant, and slightly mad.

2) The magic aspect is the best part of the whole tale, you can choose for yourself if there is any magic or not. We see it all from Derfel's point of view, who believes somewhat in magic, or at least Merlin, but basically everything which seems to be magic, could be explained away, and Derfel has his doubts.

1) Artur is a brilliant, but somewhat reluctant leader, and even we see him from Derfel's point of view, who admires him, we see faults too. I don't want to spoil things for you, but the Tristan and Isolde story throws a fairly bleak shadow on Artur.
While Artur is a good ruler, he's more comfortable with his warband than as a ruler in peace, though he wants peace more than anything.

[Mithfânion]

Seems very interesting. If I like Archer's Tale and his style isn't bothersome I think this one will definitly be read! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks again. Like that portrayel of Merlin btw.

[mundanemies]

Barbarossa wrote: "Another thing: Did anyone else laugh during the LOTR movie, when Sean Bean/Boromir picked up Narsil and cut his finger saying "It's still sharp(e)"

*groan*

Went past me like... that. Brilliant! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[SusF]

I did not buy the Archer's Tale. I checked it out of the library. So far so good.

Susan

[SusF]

I'm about halfway through the book now. It's entertaining and has good combat scenes. I've learned a bit about longbows and the making of arrows and the life of an archer. The history seems solid, too.

Thomas of Hookton is a bit flamboyant, with his all-black outfit and braid down to his waist. The history-geek in me says, "hey, they didn't use black dye much until Elizabeth's time!" The other part of me says, "drool, shut up geek!".

Susan