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Summary: My new favorite Arthurian Tale!
Review: "Queen of Camelot" was an absolutely amazing book! I had thought no tale of Arthurian Legend could surpass "The Mists of Avalon", but Nancy McKenzie accomplished it! The book is written with such explicite detail, you feel as though you're a part of Camelot yourself. The ending is bittersweet, I closed the book with tear tracks along my cheeks. Truly a work of art, congratulations, Ms. McKenzie, on writing such an awesome novel!
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Summary: Keeps you thinking and wondering...
Review: Although it does not correctly correspond to the true tale of King Arthur (so says my boyfriend according to the book "The Once and Future King"), I, too, greatly enjoyed this bittersweet book depicting the great legend of Camelot, King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and others. I loved the attention Ms. McKenzie put to the details of everything she wrote about. There were times that I wished the book would go faster but it kept my interest enough to be finished within three days. At the end, I mourned at the characters' fate and I wished that somehow they were real and I could change the way things ended. Nonetheless, it is a truly memorable book, though I don't think I can read the book again because it is too painful to fall in love with the characters and then bear their fate again..
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Summary: Enjoyable rendition of Guinevere
Review: Here is another tale of King Arthur's reign; however, this time it is centered on and told through the viewpoint of his wife Guinevere. It starts with her life from her birth when a wise woman calls her gwenhwyfar--the white shadow--who is prophesized to betray not only the king but be betrayed herself. It follows her life as an orphan under the tutelage of King Pellinore in Wales and her selection to be the second wife of King Arthur (as his first wife had died in childbirth). It then follows her years with Arthur and her struggles of not being able to give the king the child he so desperately needs and wants; her being the strength behind Arthur - she is not your typical 5th century woman who is just concerned with babies and weaving - as she helps him with the running of the Kingdom; and her love for Lancelot.McKenzie does an excellent job in creating Guinevere as the strong and loving woman behind the man, and yet makes her seem just as fallible with many weaknesses as well. It is a very convincing and realistic character. What makes this story different from the others I have read is that she encourages Arthur to take in his bastard son, Mordred, and treats him like her own child (in the other stories I've read, Mordred was raised solely by his mother for purposes in destroying Arthur). Here, Mordred becomes a very sympathetic character whom you cannot believe would betray Arthur. It was a nice touch.
Overall, this was a very good book that I recommend. It is definitely more of a love story than an action novel.
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Summary: Awesome read
Review: I could not put this book down. It's about time someone represented Guinivere as a thoughtful, diplomatic woman with a mind of her own. Her character's strength and love for both Arthur and Lancelot was aptly demonstrated. Other books have reduced her to a demure, sniveling drone. I loved her strength and wit immensely.
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Summary: Wonderful
Review: I first read McKenzie's Child Queen and High Queen (combined to form this Queen of Camelot) when I was fairly young. The intrigue and beauty of her words enflamed in me a passion for Arthurian legend. This work is very different from others such as The Mists of Avalon, and portrays Guenevere quite differently -- it is of my opinion that if one wishes to be able to a voice of knowledge concerning Arthurian legend that one must read this book!
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Summary: 3-D Camelot
Review: I have read many stories based on Arthurian legend, and I can say with certainty that this one was outstanding in bringing the characters to life. I think it was the first time I really understood who all of the characters were and how they are related to one another. For example, everyone has heard of Sir Galahad...but I never realized that he was Lancelot's son! And, really, who has ever really been able to distinguish between Morgan, Morgaine, and Morgause? In this book, though, McKenzie really brings all of these characters to life. She paints Guenevere as a strong, dedicated, honest woman who is dedicated to her husband and to her role as Queen. And she manages to make this all believable without really "meddling" with the traditional Arthurian legend (you know, the whole Lancelot deal). For those who love reading this genre, you will especially appreciate the way McKenzie builds into the story the "factoids" of day-to-day life, creating a three dimensional sense of the setting, the customs, the dress, the social mores and standards, etc., etc.
This is a very long and detailed book, and will take some time to read, so be prepared. Personally, when it started feeling tedious (which it did, a couple of times) I set it aside for a few days and read something else. Because of the vivid depictions of the characters, I found that I could easily pick it up and dive right back in as if I'd just left it.
Overall, a great job. I recommend it for anyone who has a passion for Arthurian legend.
Rating:
Summary: Could Not Put It Down
Review: I loved this book. The writing was excellent and the character development was compelling and moved forward through hundreds of pages without missing a beat, holding my interest throughout. I had not thought about the Arthurian legends in decades and this book jumped off the shelf at my local library into my hands. I only buy books I want to reread and pass on.. and this one is a definite gift item for all my book loving friends as well as my own library.
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Summary: Wonderful Telling of a Classic Tale
Review: I read all the time. I have a book with me at all times. I have read some of the greatest authors out there. But no other book moved me as much as this book. It was incredible, and even though I finished it months ago, just thinking about it brings back all the emotion I felt while reading it. It is rare to come across an author that can touch you so. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the tellings of King Arthur, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, and most importantly, great writing that can touch your soul.
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Summary: beautifully written......
Review: I read at least 1 book a week and have done so for a long time..I LOVED this book. It's a must read..buy it and keep it, you will want to share it with your children someday..
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Summary: Great Writing! Couldn't put it down
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. The author makes Gwenivere come alive, just as if she really lived and really wrote this story. I could feel the character's joy's and sorrows. It was as if I were living there in Camelot myself. A truely delightful story with rich words, I would highly recomend it for everyone.
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