Rating: Summary: Perfect Arthurian Tale Review: Gillian Bradshaw is a spellbinding, brilliant author who is far too little known. I first read Hawk of May about 9-10 years ago, when my little hole-in-the-wall bookstore with treasures galore turned up a first-edition hardcover. I've been captivated ever since with this woman's talent, and distressed that she's relatively unknown.Go buy her books, if you enjoy intelligent (but not "serious", non-bodice-ripping historical fiction. And if you're looking for a book that's got a gripping plot, great characters, which ALSO explores the deepest issues of the human heart, you've found the right author! Only Mary Stewart compares, when it comes to Arthur, and yes, I prefer Gillian Bradshaw (and folks, that's saying something!).
Rating: Summary: Perfect Arthurian Tale Review: Gillian Bradshaw is a spellbinding, brilliant author who is far too little known. I first read Hawk of May about 9-10 years ago, when my little hole-in-the-wall bookstore with treasures galore turned up a first-edition hardcover. I've been captivated ever since with this woman's talent, and distressed that she's relatively unknown. Go buy her books, if you enjoy intelligent (but not "serious", non-bodice-ripping historical fiction. And if you're looking for a book that's got a gripping plot, great characters, which ALSO explores the deepest issues of the human heart, you've found the right author! Only Mary Stewart compares, when it comes to Arthur, and yes, I prefer Gillian Bradshaw (and folks, that's saying something!).
Rating: Summary: One of the few books I've read more than once. Review: I am a great fan of books dealing with Arthurian myths and legends. This is due in large part to "Hawk of May" by Gillain Bradshaw. It's a wonderful story dealing with the classis good vs. evil and light vs. darkness themes. Even though the main character, Gwalchmai, receives a noble mission, a sword, and a horse no one can tame, he still has to earn the trust of King Arthur. What finally wins Arthur is not Gwalchmai's brave deeds in battle, but a small act of kindness. I rarely read a book more than once, but I've already read "Hawk of May" three times, and I am sure I will read it again. I wish I could make a movie based on the book. It's a story everyone should experience
Rating: Summary: One of the few books I've read more than once. Review: I am a great fan of books dealing with Arthurian myths and legends. This is due in large part to "Hawk of May" by Gillain Bradshaw. It's a wonderful story dealing with the classis good vs. evil and light vs. darkness themes. Even though the main character, Gwalchmai, receives a noble mission, a sword, and a horse no one can tame, he still has to earn the trust of King Arthur. What finally wins Arthur is not Gwalchmai's brave deeds in battle, but a small act of kindness. I rarely read a book more than once, but I've already read "Hawk of May" three times, and I am sure I will read it again. I wish I could make a movie based on the book. It's a story everyone should experience
Rating: Summary: Go Gwalchmai! Review: I really liked this book and think Gillian is a wonderful writer. I have always loved the realm of King Arthur. I thought she made a truly sinister character of Gwalchmai's mother. As for Gwachmai himself he's pretty cooltoo. The one part I was'nt fond of was when he drifted on the boat and was given his sword by Lough. I thought it sort of disturbed what was a very realistic look into Arthurian times. I thought the story was interesting enough to immediately order the second part of the trilogy which so far is also really good, though not told from Gwalchmai's viewpoint as the first book is. I like the idea that Gwalchmai is rejected by Arthur and other people at first because he has the look of a sorceror. I also enjoyed her books Wolfhunt and Island of Ghosts. If you like midevil settings you will like these too!
Rating: Summary: Go Gwalchmai! Review: I really liked this book and think Gillian is a wonderful writer. I have always loved the realm of King Arthur. I thought she made a truly sinister character of Gwalchmai's mother. As for Gwachmai himself he's pretty cooltoo. The one part I was'nt fond of was when he drifted on the boat and was given his sword by Lough. I thought it sort of disturbed what was a very realistic look into Arthurian times. I thought the story was interesting enough to immediately order the second part of the trilogy which so far is also really good, though not told from Gwalchmai's viewpoint as the first book is. I like the idea that Gwalchmai is rejected by Arthur and other people at first because he has the look of a sorceror. I also enjoyed her books Wolfhunt and Island of Ghosts. If you like midevil settings you will like these too!
Rating: Summary: Wow Review: I've recently started reading this book. It's brill! I can't wait to see what happens to Agravain after being taken hostage!
Rating: Summary: Gawain as we've never seen him before. Review: Much of the book adheres to a style of historical realism I find compelling. At times, unfortunately, it clashes with the overuse of magical elements -- I would have preferred a Gwalchmai who didn't need a magical sword, a magical horse and magical guidance to become a hero. And, oddly, this Arthurian story is packed with sorcery and yet has no Merlin -- I suppose Bradshaw thought we'd be content with Taliesin, chief bard to Arthur and a member of the Sidhe -- nor does Morgan le Fey make an appearance. The book's only other failing is a tendency to be a little too "talky" at times, wandering far afield as Gwalchmai wrestles with his internal darkness and ponders the nature of Light and religion. But the action, when it occurs, is well handled.
Rating: Summary: Sensitive and detailed Arthurian fantasy Review: The tale of Gwalchmai, King Arthur's nephew and Morgause's son, spirits you to an early Britain that is historically well-drawn and emotionally involving. Plenty of action, magic, and attention to detail make this one of the finest fantasy books ever written.
Rating: Summary: Tells the tale of Artus seen with his own nephew's eyes Review: This book and its two sequels narrate the wellknown story of King Arthur from a refreshing new angle. The reader gets drawn into the dramatic struggle of Light against Darkness in turn by the characters who tell the story as it unfolds before them: Gawain, Artus's troubled nephew, his servant Rhys - and finally by Gwynhwyfar, Artus's wife.
A must for all friends of Arthurian tales
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