The Dragon's Quest

Dragon #3

by Rosemary Manning, Constance Marshall (Illustrator)

To compensate for his absence during her summer at the beach, Susan's friend R. Dragon leaves her a special book recalling his life and adventures at the court of King Arthur.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Rosemary Joy Manning was a British author of both adult and children's books. Her best-known novel is The Chinese Garden, considered by some to be an important lesbian book. She was also well known for her popular Dragon children's series. She was also well known for her popular Dragon children's series. She was also known by the pseudonyms Sarah Davys and Mary Voyle.

Reviews

[Greymalkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid and just re-read it for the first time as an adult. It's still super-charming and holds up better than I thought. I don't think I ever read the other books in the series but this works perfectly fine as a standalone.

I'd forgotten about the science-y dwarves, and as a scientist I loved that even more as an adult. It was cool to have a different take on dwarves too, these were not smiths and miners only, but the same precise dedicated detail-oriented personality traits still applied. I also rather liked that Morgan LeFay as a villain was scheming and evil, but also did not torture or abuse Giles/David and seems to have actually raised a rather good "nephew" (given his gentle and open-minded temperament). In a more modern book or perhaps a YA book, he'd probably have picked up evil ways from his upbringing and become a secret villain. It was also good to have a model for non-toxic masculinity, where easily-frightened Gryfflet was not excluded from adventure because of his fears and was praised for his contributions, and it was clear that he and the dragon were great friends and open about that affection.

[Claudia Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this as a young girl, but had forgotten the plot . Set in the days of King Arthur, R. Dragon sets out on a quest. Rosemary Manning paints her characters so charmingly that even the most wicked are not that awful. Another satisfying tale.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining gently comic addition to Arthurian legends. Intersects with the Knight of the Fair Hands/Beaumains.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rollicking tale of all things Arthurian, with the added whimsical delight of R. Dragon. So much fun for children and adults alike.

[Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun but not a patch on the original Greensmoke book. Still fun introduction to elements of Arthurian myth for my daughter.

[Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a childhood favourite, and it was nice to revist it again. A perfectly charming book for children.