COMING OF THE KING, THE (The First Book of Merlin)

Rating:
Summary: I agree with the other reviewer...
Review: ...but the reason for the book's dullness is interesting. The entire story (I did read the whole book, but cannot for the life of me remeber why...) is told as a history, as if the action is not happening as the reader reads, but has already happened long ago, and the narrator is simply relating ancient events.

This device lends a bit of interest at the beginning of the book, but it gets terribly dull by about the twelfth page of the book, and the author never shifts the narrative to the present, but continually reminds the reader (through verb conjugation and other devices) that this stuff has already happened.

"The Lord of the Rings", on the other hand, is told as if the action is taking place as the reader reads, and this helps to hold the readers' attention, keeping them interested in what is going to happen 'next'.

In Tolstoy's book (and a case could be made that an Authurian book should be more engrossing than a modern tale) however, there is no 'what happens next', since the whole thing was over long ago--and Tolstoy never lets his readers forget it, and thus one never really 'gets into' the story.

Tolkein suffered from this device in 'The Silmarillion', and Tolstoy should have learned from that epic history that this device makes drama and mystery nearly impossible.

And both drama and mystery are required of any writer wishing to hang onto his audience's attention much past page 65.

Keith Russell

Rating:
Summary: I agree with the other reviewer...
Review: ...but the reason for the book's dullness is interesting. The entire story (I did read the whole book, but cannot for the life of me remeber why...) is told as a history, as if the action is not happening as the reader reads, but has already happened long ago, and the narrator is simply relating ancient events.

This device lends a bit of interest at the beginning of the book, but it gets terribly dull by about the twelfth page of the book, and the author never shifts the narrative to the present, but continually reminds the reader (through verb conjugation and other devices) that this stuff has already happened.

"The Lord of the Rings", on the other hand, is told as if the action is taking place as the reader reads, and this helps to hold the readers' attention, keeping them interested in what is going to happen 'next'.

In Tolstoy's book (and a case could be made that an Authurian book should be more engrossing than a modern tale) however, there is no 'what happens next', since the whole thing was over long ago--and Tolstoy never lets his readers forget it, and thus one never really 'gets into' the story.

Tolkein suffered from this device in 'The Silmarillion', and Tolstoy should have learned from that epic history that this device makes drama and mystery nearly impossible.

And both drama and mystery are required of any writer wishing to hang onto his audience's attention much past page 65.

Keith Russell

Rating:
Summary: A hard slog, but worth it...
Review: An alternative insight into the life of Merlin and his observation of the passing Dark Ages in Britain. The depth of the book is quite overpowering. Only for die hard Fans of English Mythology, but a good read all the same. As long as you stick at it!!

Rating:
Summary: The Coming of the King
Review: As the other two reviewers noted, the book is difficult to get through. I made it past page 65, but I had to push myself. I actually purchased the book over 10 years ago, tried to read it, and became bored. I picked it up again recently, wanting to give it a second chance. I just couldn't stay with it. I am pretty well versed in Arthurian myth, Welsh mythology, etc., and the obscure references to gods, people, and places left me totally confused.

I checked out the reviews here to see if others were having the same experience.

I think this book looks good on a shelf, but not to read.

Rating:
Summary: The Coming of the King
Review: As the other two reviewers noted, the book is difficult to get through. I made it past page 65, but I had to push myself. I actually purchased the book over 10 years ago, tried to read it, and became bored. I picked it up again recently, wanting to give it a second chance. I just couldn't stay with it. I am pretty well versed in Arthurian myth, Welsh mythology, etc., and the obscure references to gods, people, and places left me totally confused.

I checked out the reviews here to see if others were having the same experience.

I think this book looks good on a shelf, but not to read.

Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic read -
Review: I first read this book when I was 20 and have read it 3 times since. It is one of those books that is fascinating and complete in its revival every time it is re-read. I rank it up there with the Silmarillion as one of the most comprehensive fantasy books I have ever read.
It is written in epic style and is a tough read, if one is used to the more pulpy entries in the Arthurian cannon. However, I can't stress enough that this book is well worth the read. Having the mabinogi (or a celtic myth primer of some sort) and a welsh pronunciation key nearby definitely help with the daunting scale of the book. Tolstoy's scope of arthurian and celtic knowledge seem inexhaustable. Like many of the former reviewers said this is a difficult book to read but if you can handle Tolkeins Rings trilogy and the Silmarillion you will definitely find this book an enjoyable experience.

Rating:
Summary: Zzzzzzzzzzzz
Review: I must admit to you first that I did not read this book in it's entirety, so this book review is only for the first 65 pages. But as bland and as dull as the book was, that was as far as I could force myself to get.

I saw the book in the library, never heard of the author, but decided to give it a chance. After all, it WAS about that famous magician of legend, Merlin. It was very dense reading. Chewing through the first couple of pages, I found my thoughts to be wandering elsewhere. I had to force myself to focus on the text, it was that dry. I continued reading (I try to read at least 10% of the book before trying another) hoping that it would get better/more interesting.

It didn't.

10% would have been 63 pages. I went to 65 and couldn't go on. After giving up, I read the author's bio and found that Mr. Tolstoy has written many books - all non-fiction until this one. In comparison, it felt like I was reading a non-fiction book.

Don't get me wrong, non-fiction books can be great, but in this case, it wasn't. I think there was a few editing issues (seemed superfluous at times), but I think the overall plot was no where to be found.

However, if you do make it past page 65 and can tell me where the story starts, I would be willing to give it another try; just let me know.

Rating:
Summary: "...In the dark ages."
Review: Nikolai Tolstoy (Great-grandson of Leo Tolstoy) penned a magnificent work of fanciful art in the magical world of pre-Arthurian Merlin.

As historically accurate as the retelling of history will allow, "Coming of the King" weaves the intricate paths of Merlin and the Kings he associated through many escapades and battles. Beginning with Merlin's birth, this traditional, legendary Welsh fable replaces 'fairy-tale' form with mind-blowing resonance. As tales of peoples and battles and 'lands of yore' where sung by bards in the mediaeval times of western Europe, Tolstoy fully immerses the reader in a world so seemingly real, we begin to interpret his fiction with known facts within our current surroundings. Coming of the King has all the obligatory 'treks through the country-sides,' 'mountain mayhem,' and 'cast of thousands battles' as well as a compelling reality in how humanity in a whole conducts its political regimes. As this work begins before Merlin met up with Arthur, it also tells of the creation of Excalibur, and conceives as to the true purpose of its original creation. Merlin, himself, is shown as a man with his own worries and concerns of what 'is,' what 'will be,' and how he wants things 'to be.' The whole tone of this work is mysterious and dark (as mediaeval as mediaeval can get), and still conjure landscapes and castles so real we can reach out and touch them. The only thing this work lacks, is its characterization. Gone are the 'damsels in distress,' the 'gnomish sidekicks,' and the black and white 'good Vs evil' most fantasy works base their entire ensemble upon. Coming of the King deals only with Merlin and those he comes immediately in contact with. I highly recommend reading this book if you are a die-hard fantasy fan with a penchant for the dark 'reality' of times long gone.

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Rating:
Summary: Tough - but worth it!
Review: The Gaelic in the book does make for heavy going, so I do reccommend taking some time to go through the glossary at the back so you understand the pronounciation. This book is full of myth and is beautifully written - a real masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: More that just a light read
Review: While this book is a hard read, I loved it, and appreciated its authentic feel. It is of a much higher quality that much other modern Arthurian trashy fantasy novels. And, in my opinion, should not be compared to them. If you want an easy, simple story to read featuring Merlin, etc, there's lots more to choose from. If you want something with an edge, is more real, and substance, then get this book.