Identify Of Books The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga #3)
| Title | : | The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga #3) |
| Author | : | Mary Stewart |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 513 pages |
| Published | : | May 6th 2003 by Harper Voyager (first published 1979) |
| Categories | : | Fantasy. Fiction. Historical. Historical Fiction. Mythology. Arthurian |
Mary Stewart
Paperback | Pages: 513 pages Rating: 4.17 | 14013 Users | 397 Reviews
Description During Books The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga #3)
"Here, away from lights and sounds of town or village, the night was deep, the black sky stretching, fathomless, away between the spheres, to some unimaginable world where gods walked, and suns and moons showered down like petals falling. Some power there is that draws men's eyes and hearts up and outwards, beyond the heavy clay that fastens them to earth. Music can take them, and the moon's light, and, I suppose, love, though I had not known it then, except in worship."There has been nothing more comforting to me than to sit curled up with Mary Stewart's Arthurian series these past several weeks. This holds true for this divine last installment of the trilogy as well. Reading this felt as if I was having my own little heart-to-heart by the fireside with Merlin himself. Merlin, as he is so deftly drawn by Ms. Stewart, has quickly become one of my favorite literary characters. Not a crazed wizard lurking in the shadows with his potions and wacky prophecies, Merlin is instead a very compassionate, charismatic, intelligent, worldly and very mortal human being. His love and devotion to King Arthur is steadfast and akin to that of a father for his son; this feeling is justly returned by Arthur. In The Last Enchantment, Merlin must come to terms with a shift in his power and have faith in the will of his gods. Loss speaks to him in a manner that parallels what he understands to be the retreat of those gods. Yet, there is a purpose and meaning to all things, and Merlin never fails to point this out to me as a reader, not by preaching but simply by showing.
Now, veering away from my sentiments regarding Merlin, I must point out that this book has plenty of intrigue for those that prefer a dose of drama and adventure as well. A deliciously wicked villainess in the form of Arthur's half-sister, Morgause, seeks her revenge on Merlin and demonstrates her own knowledge of not just the black arts but the wiles of a seductive woman. Merlin must reach beyond his limited experience with those of the feminine sex to battle such deviltry. "It is easier to call the storm from the empty sky, than to manipulate the heart of a man; and soon, if my bones did not lie to me, I should be needing all the power I could muster, to pit against a woman; and this is harder to do than anything concerning men, as air is harder to see than a mountain." We are also introduced to the beautiful Queen Guinevere who is worshipped not just by her King but by all her subjects within the kingdom. We see the building of the famed Camelot, deception, kidnapping, forbidden love, and true, unadulterated love.
It's difficult to express the joy I feel when reading what has become a treasured book series. I am actually not one to read a series – I have so many books on my list that I don't always get around to reading those that might follow a book that I enjoyed. But this Arthurian series has been an exception rather than a rule. They are so beautifully written that I can't help but savor each one and let myself disappear in this world for a short while. This is a true escape which I highly recommend if you ever feel bogged down by reality and sameness.
"Magic is the door through which mortal man may sometimes step, to find the gates in the hollow hills, and let himself through into the halls of that other world."
List Books Toward The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga #3)
| Original Title: | The Last Enchantment |
| ISBN: | 0060548274 (ISBN13: 9780060548278) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Arthurian Saga #3 |
| Characters: | Morgause, Arthur Pendragon, Merlin, Sir Mordred, Ygraine, Ulfin, Cador of Cornwall, Bedwyr of Benoic, Morgan Greer, Lot of Lothian, Beltane, Ninian, Casso, Nimuë, Queen Guinevere |
| Setting: | United Kingdom |
| Literary Awards: | Locus Award Nominee for Best Fantasy Novel (1980) |
Rating Of Books The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga #3)
Ratings: 4.17 From 14013 Users | 397 ReviewsAppraise Of Books The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga #3)
I tried very hard to get into this book. It was so hard. I think that it ended up ending in a weird place and after going forward and reading The Wicked Day I really wish that Stewart had ended this book better to just stay away from continuing the Arthurian saga.There is really not much to say that I havent said in the other books. I like Merlin as a narrator, but everyone else is given very little development. The book starts to feel repetitive after a while. The only new thing in this one isJuly 2018 group read for the Mary Stewart group. I really enjoyed this trilogy but wish I had read them straight through because it is hard for me to decide which I preferred. I did not at first realize that it was so focused on Merlin and had hoped for more on Arthur and Guinevere, but now I am happy that it was focused on Merlin. I see him and the Arthur legend much differently now and I love the way Mary Stewart weaves all the many characters and events together. She was a master. Now, I am
I know I read this trilogy when it first came out, but that was long, long ago in a place far, far away. I had forgotten I loved Mary Stewart's writing. Reading the third book as a stand-alone was easy. I didn't need to know Merlin and Arthur's history to enjoy this book of the last years of Merlin's life as told from his POV. I loved the detail, which to some might be too much, but to me was beautiful. Every sentence it seems, is packed with nuance of color, sound, smell, sight, feeling, giving
It would seem that Mary Stewart practiced her own subtle alchemy while writing The Last Enchantment. She has turned Arthurian Legend into a golden trilogy using some magical writing process that I could almost envy, if I did not admire it so. I highly recommend this book! Stewart's creation will transport you back in time with beautiful prose that is rich in detail. Merlin comes to life and takes you on a wonderful journey you will never forget!
The third in Mary Stewart's extremely enchanting and brilliant Merlin trilogy, this book is like it's predecessors extremely engaging, magical, thrilling, absorbing and holds you interest. The passion, intrigue, romance, emotion, and the panoramic sweep of events holds your attention throughoutIt begins at the beginning of Arthur's reign in Dumpeldyr in Scotland, where King Lot and Arthur's wicked half-sister Morgause reign and sexual encounter with Morgause.... Following the narrative through
I've been reading this King Arthur series over and over since I was a teenager. I love it so much, I have a hard time reading any other version of the King Arthur tale. The series is written from the viewpoint of Merlin.
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