The Idylls of the Queen is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, Arthurian novel. Undoubtably this is due to the fact that it is told from the point of view of Sir Kay, whom I always felt sorry for (it's a elder sibling thing). Karr, however, does know the medieval tradition upon which she is drawing. If you have read the old Arthurian stories (de Troyes, Malory and so on) there are wonderful gems in the off hand comments that some characters make. If you haven't read any of the Arthurian stories upon which Karr draws, it doesn't matter; the book is accessible to newbies. The plot of the novel is a mystery taken from Arthurian tradition; Karr, however, puts Kay in the role of detective.
Chris' Fish Place
Thoughts on things, mostly books.
The Idylls of the Queen is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, Arthurian novel. Undoubtably this is due to the fact that it is told from the point of view of Sir Kay, whom I always felt sorry for (it's a elder sibling thing). Karr, however, does know the medieval tradition upon which she is drawing. If you have read the old Arthurian stories (de Troyes, Malory and so on) there are wonderful gems in the off hand comments that some characters make. If you haven't read any of the Arthurian stories upon which Karr draws, it doesn't matter; the book is accessible to newbies. The plot of the novel is a mystery taken from Arthurian tradition; Karr, however, puts Kay in the role of detective.
