The Chronicles of the Holy Grail

Rating:
Summary: Good collection of new and rare reprint material.
Review: This collection contains twenty-two stories, thirteen original to this volume, and the others covering publications from 1849-1988. The book is set out to foollow the Grail's chronology from its arrival in Britain, through the appearance to Arthur's knights and their subsequent quest adventures, to its final revelation to Lancelot. Appended are stories, as oposed to the earlier legends, taking place after the grail vanishes, and even possible present day reappearances.The range of authors and different periods of writing provide a wealth of variations on the theme. Influences from the Welsh legends, Roman references and various prior tellings add richness to the overall efect. Despite the underlying grail theme, there's not the boredom of too much sameness between stories, thanks to the various authorial voices and so much available source material.Recommended for the new fiction, plus reprints of rare pieces, "The Chronicles of the Holy Grail" should delight both fantasy readers and Arthurian scholars.