Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
This by far, is my favorite Guinevere story I've read in a long time. Lackey delivers a strong, warrior female, torn between her duties to her father and her need to be recognized as a woman by the man she desires. The story, never dull, ended well, but sadly, too fast. I enjoyed this tale so much, I didn't want it to end. I wanted to know what happened next! If you love Arthurian legend, you must read this version. As one can tell by the title, this is an Arthurian spin that uses the Gaelic-Briton spelling of the characters, and oddly enough doesn't actually become an Arthurian tale, per se, until late in the book. Rather, unbeknownst to the (even seasoned reader of Arthurian fiction) reader until a critical point, this isn't a tale of Queen Guinevere/Gwenhwyfar, Wife of Arthur and Paramour of Lancelot, but rather a tale of Gwen the young warrior and her sisters Gwenhwyfach, Cataruna and Gynath--and Arthur's Three Lovers said to have been standing with him on the barge to his final resting place in Avalon. Of course, the fare of legend everyone knows is there in patches--mentioning of the Merlin being sealed in the crystal cave/oak tree, Morgause's bedding of Arthur to produce Mordred (here Medraut, and Morgause is also referred as Anna Morgause with a clear break made between her and her sister Morgan). Medraut is given a prominent role in the novel as the main antagonist, but as to be expected from Lackey Gwen's voice is quite strong in the novel and it focuses much more on the action and adventure of her early life than the romantic entanglements of her later years. The sheer NUMBER of Gwenhwyfars and Gwenhwyfaches can be confusing at times (especially when it is revealed that our protagonist-Gwen is actually Arthur's third wife of the same name, and Gwenhwyfach is married to Medraut for some reason); but it's certainly a refreshing look at a different perspective without being too heavy handed with the ~magical mysteries~ or ~Calling on the Goddess~ as some of the books of Arthurian ilk tend to be, and it is nice as well to see a book based in Arthurian legend that is not a romance; but while it is a good read, if you're reading it because it promises to be an Arthurian tale you might find yourself a little disappointed at how minimal in appearance most familiar characters are.
What do You think about Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit (2009)?
Always interesting to read a new take on the Arthurian legend. Fast read and thoroughly enjoyable!
—early3
Quick read with some interesting alternatives to the usual Arthurian rewrites.
—huongxo
Listened to this on audio. Liked the story...HATED the narrator. SO. AWFUL.
—PandarhBeast
This is a pretty good book. I could reread it and not get bored.
—chay
