Hawk of May

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: 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: 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: A new look at the sons of Lot
Review: This book was a double winner for me. I bought it used on Amazon.com for about $1 and it was GREAT! I liked the new perspective on the sons of King Lot. If you are familiar with the basics of Arthurian legend, you know King Lot's sons have played key roles in the legends in one form or the other. They go by different names, the quantity of sons differs occassionally, as does the name of their mother. In this case, there are 3 boys mothered by Morgawse and fathered by...???...well, raised by King Lot. Hawk of May focuses on the second son...Gwalchamai or "Hawk of May". In perhaps typical middle child uncertainty, he doubts his ability to follow his elder brothers warrior prowess and seeks his own identity by bonding with his beautiful yet frightening mother. However, the author takes us to the brink of darkness and sorcery only to deliver Gwalchamai to a more divine destiny. The journey is not nearly that simple, however.

The book is an enticing and enjoyable read. The author provides a beneficial note on the pronounciation of the Welsh spellings used and I found them to be not the least bit daunting. In fact, I liked the change to an otherwise very familiar legend. I found that the name and location variances kept me from "assuming" I knew where the story was headed. I like the author's descriptions of key characters and was excited that Guenevere received barely a nod in this book with no sign of Lancelot yet. Too many authors put too much into the love triangle and miss the mark when describing Arthur. Bradshaw has done a marvelous job...I found myself torn between disliking Arthur and sharing in the feeling of awe that he inspired amongst his men and his people. There is a trace of magic introduced, but none of the Merlin shape changing and time travel that bogs down too many Arthurian attempts. The lore and myth seems more believable - as if the door really stood open at that time in history and we, today, have simply drifted too far away from it. At any rate, the book is excellent. I see many copies on Amazon for a bargain - GET ONE!!!

Rating:
Summary: A new look at the sons of Lot
Review: This book was a double winner for me. I bought it used on Amazon.com for about $1 and it was GREAT! I liked the new perspective on the sons of King Lot. If you are familiar with the basics of Arthurian legend, you know King Lot's sons have played key roles in the legends in one form or the other. They go by different names, the quantity of sons differs occassionally, as does the name of their mother. In this case, there are 3 boys mothered by Morgawse and fathered by...???...well, raised by King Lot. Hawk of May focuses on the second son...Gwalchamai or "Hawk of May". In perhaps typical middle child uncertainty, he doubts his ability to follow his elder brothers warrior prowess and seeks his own identity by bonding with his beautiful yet frightening mother. However, the author takes us to the brink of darkness and sorcery only to deliver Gwalchamai to a more divine destiny. The journey is not nearly that simple, however.

The book is an enticing and enjoyable read. The author provides a beneficial note on the pronounciation of the Welsh spellings used and I found them to be not the least bit daunting. In fact, I liked the change to an otherwise very familiar legend. I found that the name and location variances kept me from "assuming" I knew where the story was headed. I like the author's descriptions of key characters and was excited that Guenevere received barely a nod in this book with no sign of Lancelot yet. Too many authors put too much into the love triangle and miss the mark when describing Arthur. Bradshaw has done a marvelous job...I found myself torn between disliking Arthur and sharing in the feeling of awe that he inspired amongst his men and his people. There is a trace of magic introduced, but none of the Merlin shape changing and time travel that bogs down too many Arthurian attempts. The lore and myth seems more believable - as if the door really stood open at that time in history and we, today, have simply drifted too far away from it. At any rate, the book is excellent. I see many copies on Amazon for a bargain - GET ONE!!!

Rating:
Summary: The best book on Arthurian legend ever.
Review: This is almost the tale of Sir Gawain, almost of Sir Gareth, and almost something out of Narnia. Ms. Bradshaw has created a series of delightful characters, fully realized, and wonderfully alive. This is a tale of loss, redemption, and adventure that may be read with profit by anyone, young or old. It is a sheer joy to read! Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: GO Hawk!
Review: This story is about a boy who will try anything to get his father's approval. He, at first, was going to take the path of darkness and throw everything else away. But when the darkness seeks to claim his younger brother as well he can't take the path of darkness any longer. He leaves his home and seeks to join King Arthur's army. But the king's trust will not be free. Can he achieve Arthur's trust and accomplish his duty.

Editor of the Hoppin Readin Review