Book: Excalibur by Bernard Cornwell
Krishna
Having read it all, I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the story of King Arthur as the best Arthurian story ever written. The story told by Derfel continues from where it was left off in Book Two. Arthur’s overriding triumph against the Saxons and the period of prosperity that follows are covered well. The invidious trouble brewing from a totally unexpected quarters is told beautifully, as is the ‘last battle of Arthur’.
It is very difficult to describe the story without giving anything away but the story is extremely well told, and keeps the tension going. The rise and subsequent ignominious fall of Merlin is told heartrendingly, and the machinations of Nimue to restore the old glory of the Gods of Britain are wonderful.
The questions on why Derfel, who was all for pagan religion and is living under the thumb of his sworn enemy of “the Mouse Lord” Bishop Sansum are resolved. (The questions arise early in the first book itself.)
There are several unexpected twists and turns, just like the first two books, where the situation looks hopelessly lost and is retrieved by the unexpected intervention of someone.
It is fascinating, and gripping till the very end. The only gripe one may have is that the ending is a bit abrupt but then since this is a historical novel, and history itself does not always have a satisfying fictional ending, this is pardonable.
The surprises are also in the footnotes of the author (at the end of the second and third books) where you realize that there are so many versions of the Arthur story that anyone attempting to write about it has to make choices among conflicting alternatives.
A great story, told in a gripping way, which keeps the interest of readers alive till the very end…
Definitely a 8/10.
— Krishna