Lancelot Du Lethe
In this continuation of the story first laid forth in Mad Merlin, the focus shifts from Merlin to Lancelot, born to King Ban and almost instantly orphaned by war. Raised in Avalon, Lancelot knows his destiny is to be the greatest knight who ever lived – but when he makes his way to Camelot and first sets eyes on Guinevere, Arthur’s chastely married bride, he knows his dreams and loyalties will be sorely tested.
While staying within the broad outline of legend, King gives the characters depth and nuance rarely seen in Arthurian fiction. Their actions not only make sense but are inevitable given who (and what) they are. The setting is somewhere between the more gritty, realistic Arthurian fiction that has been prevalent lately, and the courtly love versions of old, borrowing from each as is needed.
Lancelot does not have the sheer emotional force of its predecessor. By shifting the focus to Lancelot it also strays away from the questions of religion and identity that gave Merlin such a unique take on the legend. It is, however, a fine novel in its own right, and well worth reading by anyone interested in a good tale.
