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Excalibur
Thundering down through the centuries comes the legend of chivalry carved out by EXCALIBUR -- the magic sword of Arthur Pendragon -- with all the mysticism and heroic courage of the Arthurian legend transmuted to a time and a place remote from Camelot -- but linked to it in the still desperate struggle against evil.
One of the most enduring legends of the Western hemisphere is the story of Arthur Pendragon, the Round Table, and the mighty sword Excalibur -- which only a Pendragon could wield.
When power is vested in an object, even though the people surrounding it might be long dead, the object itself grows in strength and stature -- achieving, in time, the force of religious significance. Equally, an object of Evil can be so invested -- and hence, can grow as dangerously powerful.
This, then, is a modern tale set in Mobile, Alabama of the age-old struggle between good and evil; a struggle which has never ceased, a struggle in which the chief protagonists remain linked to the earlier champions by heredity or by witchcraft.
One of the most enduring legends of the Western hemisphere is the story of Arthur Pendragon, the Round Table, and the mighty sword Excalibur -- which only a Pendragon could wield.
When power is vested in an object, even though the people surrounding it might be long dead, the object itself grows in strength and stature -- achieving, in time, the force of religious significance. Equally, an object of Evil can be so invested -- and hence, can grow as dangerously powerful.
This, then, is a modern tale set in Mobile, Alabama of the age-old struggle between good and evil; a struggle which has never ceased, a struggle in which the chief protagonists remain linked to the earlier champions by heredity or by witchcraft.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 7, 2023
The author's writing style was really beautiful. Lyrical, descriptive, and primal. But the shape of the story lagged in moments. I wasn't quite sure if there was a religious message toward the end, but there was definitely an interesting mix of Pagan & Christian mythological elements.
January 13, 2018
After having read Catherine Christian's "The Pendragon," (1978) I found my Arthurian appetite sufficiently whetted to try another novel that I had heard about but never tackled till now, Saunders Anne Laubenthal’s “Excalibur” (1973). Like Catherine Christian, Laubenthal is another gifted writer, who is able to tap into one of the most unlikely places for an Arthurian novel, Alabama, and somehow bridge into a full foray of Arthurian adventure, with quests, magic creatures, and even a fitting tribute to Morgan le Fay (perhaps one of the most intriguing characters of all Arthurian lore). I could think of several other states that would have provided a more fitting atmosphere and must confess I was a bit put off by the setting, but Laubenthal pulls it off, almost eerily as if this were a “Twin Peaks” episode (and I mean this in a good way). The book opens, predictably, on a dark and stormy night with the main character, Linette, who receives Rhodri, an archeologist on a quest for the very thing that is implied in the title of the book.
We soon meet other characters, Linette’s aunt Julian, a medievalist, who lives in an Alabama castle and dresses accordingly. We meet a certain Morgan Cornwall, and I don’t think there will be any spoilers for Arthurian buffs to take one wild guess at her real identity—the name feels very much contrived; why not just go all the way and call her something like Morgan Fay? Yet in the end, the sympathetic portrayal of Morgan was way ahead of its time and may have inspired other retellings of the legend. I also agree with other reviewers in that these characters seem to be more archetypal than flesh and blood characters. The romance element of the novel, despite some of beautiful prose passages with moonlight and trees and lights fall surprisingly flat in the end. I think this may be due to Rhodri’s archaeological focus that leaves room for little else. But, the novel does open promisingly enough and I found myself enjoying the conversations between Julian and Morgan, and later let down a bit with Anthony, a lit student whose dissertation on Malory and the Grail should have provided for some interesting banter, which is only hinted at in the novel.
Another aspect that of the novel that I believe to be of interest is how Laubenthal equates the Arthurian wasteland with contemporary ecological concerns. She describes the tangle of metal (junkyards?) and deforestation, decades before such concerns have come to the fore.
It does help to be familiar with the Arthurian legend, particularly Malory to enjoy some of the descriptive sequences of past events, but otherwise brace yourself in the end for a surreal trip into the underworld, which could have benefited from being shortened. I was almost tempted to rate the novel three stars because of the long meandering finale, but in the end I am still glad I have read it and am glad to have added it to my Arthurian bookshelf. Even so, it is not a novel I will return to again. I have read and reread my Malory, Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, Twain, Tennyson, T.H. White and Mary Stewart—all of these works I would not hesitate to place on an Arthurian syllabus or a shortlist of recommended books, but I think this one just falls short of the mark.
Even so, it is much better than many modern Arthurian works we find today. It captures a bit of the 70’s pulp fantasy style in wonderful way and perhaps should be made available for the e-reading market. In the intro, we are told that C.S. Lewis and Tolkien inspired Laubenthal, and I wonder what the Inklings would have made of this novel. Lewis also explored the Arthurian theme with a bit more depth in “That Hideous Strength,” and if you have enjoyed this novel I do recommend that you check on Lewis’s Space Trilogy.
We soon meet other characters, Linette’s aunt Julian, a medievalist, who lives in an Alabama castle and dresses accordingly. We meet a certain Morgan Cornwall, and I don’t think there will be any spoilers for Arthurian buffs to take one wild guess at her real identity—the name feels very much contrived; why not just go all the way and call her something like Morgan Fay? Yet in the end, the sympathetic portrayal of Morgan was way ahead of its time and may have inspired other retellings of the legend. I also agree with other reviewers in that these characters seem to be more archetypal than flesh and blood characters. The romance element of the novel, despite some of beautiful prose passages with moonlight and trees and lights fall surprisingly flat in the end. I think this may be due to Rhodri’s archaeological focus that leaves room for little else. But, the novel does open promisingly enough and I found myself enjoying the conversations between Julian and Morgan, and later let down a bit with Anthony, a lit student whose dissertation on Malory and the Grail should have provided for some interesting banter, which is only hinted at in the novel.
Another aspect that of the novel that I believe to be of interest is how Laubenthal equates the Arthurian wasteland with contemporary ecological concerns. She describes the tangle of metal (junkyards?) and deforestation, decades before such concerns have come to the fore.
It does help to be familiar with the Arthurian legend, particularly Malory to enjoy some of the descriptive sequences of past events, but otherwise brace yourself in the end for a surreal trip into the underworld, which could have benefited from being shortened. I was almost tempted to rate the novel three stars because of the long meandering finale, but in the end I am still glad I have read it and am glad to have added it to my Arthurian bookshelf. Even so, it is not a novel I will return to again. I have read and reread my Malory, Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, Twain, Tennyson, T.H. White and Mary Stewart—all of these works I would not hesitate to place on an Arthurian syllabus or a shortlist of recommended books, but I think this one just falls short of the mark.
Even so, it is much better than many modern Arthurian works we find today. It captures a bit of the 70’s pulp fantasy style in wonderful way and perhaps should be made available for the e-reading market. In the intro, we are told that C.S. Lewis and Tolkien inspired Laubenthal, and I wonder what the Inklings would have made of this novel. Lewis also explored the Arthurian theme with a bit more depth in “That Hideous Strength,” and if you have enjoyed this novel I do recommend that you check on Lewis’s Space Trilogy.
August 21, 2015
I started this book as an arthurian book and at the beginning I was a bit disappointed by how the novel seemed to be completely set in modern times and with only Morgana and Morgause as arthurian characters. Yet, I still found myself liking it.
Some spoilers in the review.
The writing style was lovely and fluid and it was clear that the author did a lot of research on Welsh tales and legends. It made me want to search more into the names and traditions that she used and I can't ask more of a novel, I am glad to find new things to look into! I also loved the opposition of the two quests (Grail and Excalibur) and I especially loved Morgana.I am not a fan of religious issues in novels, but the way the author presented Morgana's faith was absolutely fascinating as the way she mixed (with Morgause) other religions.
I generally liked the novel even if I have to admit that I was extremely confused by many parts. The characters fell in and out of love (I think, that was confusing) in a heartbeat and they seemed to form strong relationships in the same amount of time. They also accepted the idea of the quest and the magic too easily, in my opinion, and while I truly loved Lynette (I found in her many of my struggles for something meaningful in life) and her aunt (and Morgana, of course), I was not so enthusiastic about the Pendragon and Anthony and it felt like these two characters had been thrown in the book too quickly.
Some spoilers in the review.
The writing style was lovely and fluid and it was clear that the author did a lot of research on Welsh tales and legends. It made me want to search more into the names and traditions that she used and I can't ask more of a novel, I am glad to find new things to look into! I also loved the opposition of the two quests (Grail and Excalibur) and I especially loved Morgana.I am not a fan of religious issues in novels, but the way the author presented Morgana's faith was absolutely fascinating as the way she mixed (with Morgause) other religions.
I generally liked the novel even if I have to admit that I was extremely confused by many parts. The characters fell in and out of love (I think, that was confusing) in a heartbeat and they seemed to form strong relationships in the same amount of time. They also accepted the idea of the quest and the magic too easily, in my opinion, and while I truly loved Lynette (I found in her many of my struggles for something meaningful in life) and her aunt (and Morgana, of course), I was not so enthusiastic about the Pendragon and Anthony and it felt like these two characters had been thrown in the book too quickly.
July 28, 2016
Kind of a mish-mash. I love stories that are related to the Arthurian legend, even when set in modern times, but this one didn't really satisfy me. It's hard to know exactly what I didn't like--the characters were not very fully realized, playing roles rather than being multi-faceted. I know this is a fantasy, but I had trouble believing the various quests and travels in the Otherlands, the odd relationships, and the powers--not of the priestess, seer, or Pendragon, but of the other "ordinary" characters.
December 31, 2024
I got this book at a thrift store, I love King Arthur & the art was stunning. The book is written very poetically and descriptive, it was definitely a bit more challenging for a little under 300 pages. I will say that because of this the story dragged at certain parts and lacked development needed in others. The relationships of the characters were very shallow. It’s also obvious it was published in the 70s as one character finishes out with having more adventure and work to continue while the girl (quite literally) says “I don’t know” to what is to come for her, and she “may” go back to the other potential love interest. Quite disappointing for the slight buildup that the two had for the entirety of the book. This book also does require that you know the lore behind King Arthur or you’ll be very confused and a lot will not make sense.
May 14, 2017
When I first read this in my teens it blew me away because it was so different. An Arthurian fantasy set in Mobile Ala (about two hours away from me)? Morgan leFay as a Celtic high priestess? I hadn't run across anything like it before.
Rereading, I discovered it worked even without the novelty value. There's Laubenthal's poetic writing, the Celtic otherworldly strangeness (though a lot of the elements are also very Tolkienish), the details of the setting — I just really like it all (probably 4.5 stars). Though it is odd how characters make the most outlandish (though true) claims (I'm Arthur's descendant! or I'm Morgan leFay) and nobody doubts it.
Rereading, I discovered it worked even without the novelty value. There's Laubenthal's poetic writing, the Celtic otherworldly strangeness (though a lot of the elements are also very Tolkienish), the details of the setting — I just really like it all (probably 4.5 stars). Though it is odd how characters make the most outlandish (though true) claims (I'm Arthur's descendant! or I'm Morgan leFay) and nobody doubts it.
April 1, 2021
Bit slow to start and when it does bit confusing. I think this could have been a bit longer, but it's easier to understand that some a decade later. SFBC reprinted this Dec 2000, Original was 1973. Just was in the books to read. Bit interesting on Morgan Le Fay. Some books have them as the same some are different some are good and bad what have you. Think her character changed quite a bit.
April 18, 2021
So, my son is named Lancelot. I’m pretty well aware of Camelot mythology. This tale involves someone in modern times searching an old building for ancient relics. It includes quite a bit of Celtic mythology and sorcery. Some things don’t quite hold together logically.
August 13, 2012
This one is a contemporary fantasy with (obviously) an Arthurian focus. Beautiful language, just lovely. Let me open the book randomly and throw a dart at it. Ah, here we go, a random passage:
“And yet, slowly in the back of her mind, the sense of darkness intensified, took form in a nameless awareness that something was wrong. She remembered how she had been oppressed by this place ever since Monday, though she had never been afraid of the cellar in her childhood. No, it was not fear of the place; it was a foreboding, vague as yet but spreading through her mind like dark water, foreboding of something that was waiting for them, in the darkness and like darkness, wakeful and evil. Images, high-colored like those of dreams, floated through the dark of her mind: dragon-guarded apples of the Hesperides, demon-haunted paths to the Grail, the flaming sword at the gates of Eden. Was there any good in the world that was not dear-bought and shadowed with doom? And yet, had she not wanted this? What, she thought with a sense of sinking cold, what have I wanted?”
This book is an automatic keeper for me just because of the poetry of the writing. The characters are just okay for me, the plot is just okay. This book was published in 1973 and to me it does feel distinctly old-fashioned. Oddly, it reminds me a bit of Mary Stewart’s mysteries, though it’s not very much like those in any way I can actually put my finger on. The whole plot turns around religion; the story treats Christianity beautifully and seriously. That’s so rare in fantasy these days, which is, as we all know, simply rife with The Oppressive Church, everybody stamping their own out with the exact same cookie cutter, very tedious and boring.
“And yet, slowly in the back of her mind, the sense of darkness intensified, took form in a nameless awareness that something was wrong. She remembered how she had been oppressed by this place ever since Monday, though she had never been afraid of the cellar in her childhood. No, it was not fear of the place; it was a foreboding, vague as yet but spreading through her mind like dark water, foreboding of something that was waiting for them, in the darkness and like darkness, wakeful and evil. Images, high-colored like those of dreams, floated through the dark of her mind: dragon-guarded apples of the Hesperides, demon-haunted paths to the Grail, the flaming sword at the gates of Eden. Was there any good in the world that was not dear-bought and shadowed with doom? And yet, had she not wanted this? What, she thought with a sense of sinking cold, what have I wanted?”
This book is an automatic keeper for me just because of the poetry of the writing. The characters are just okay for me, the plot is just okay. This book was published in 1973 and to me it does feel distinctly old-fashioned. Oddly, it reminds me a bit of Mary Stewart’s mysteries, though it’s not very much like those in any way I can actually put my finger on. The whole plot turns around religion; the story treats Christianity beautifully and seriously. That’s so rare in fantasy these days, which is, as we all know, simply rife with The Oppressive Church, everybody stamping their own out with the exact same cookie cutter, very tedious and boring.
May 28, 2011
I read the original pb version of "Excaliber" many years ago. The beginning is not great but I remember thoroughly enjoying most subsequent scenes, in which the main characters interact with mythical beings, get swept up into an "alternative reality", and sometimes are involved in what might what be called "spiritual warfare".
One series of scenes in particular is strongly reminiscent of Charles Williams' principle of "substitution". Basically, this involves one person consciously taking on the burden currently shouldered by someone else. Williams demonstrated this best in his "Descent into Hell". Laubenthal does a superb job of showing the same tranfer & its effects toward the end of this book, as one character aids another who is on a kind of quest.
I have found & ordered the revised SFBC edition of this book via a used book dealer. (Hard cover -- see the illo provided by GoodReads) I've been given to understand that Laubenthal was asked to revise her original manuscript by the new publisher, and I am hoping that she had a chance to fix some of the weaker scenes in the book. After I read the new edition, I may be editing my score for this book. I hope so!
One series of scenes in particular is strongly reminiscent of Charles Williams' principle of "substitution". Basically, this involves one person consciously taking on the burden currently shouldered by someone else. Williams demonstrated this best in his "Descent into Hell". Laubenthal does a superb job of showing the same tranfer & its effects toward the end of this book, as one character aids another who is on a kind of quest.
I have found & ordered the revised SFBC edition of this book via a used book dealer. (Hard cover -- see the illo provided by GoodReads) I've been given to understand that Laubenthal was asked to revise her original manuscript by the new publisher, and I am hoping that she had a chance to fix some of the weaker scenes in the book. After I read the new edition, I may be editing my score for this book. I hope so!
April 3, 2015
I like picking up from junk shops those 70s styled fantasy novels with their wonderful painted covers and I love the Arthurian tales.
The story is set in Mobile, Alabama and an archaeologist Rhodri is searching for the legendary medieval Welsh colonisation of the area.
The novel is rich in description, detail, myth and fantasy. The characters are well conceived but the language and tone of the book make it compelling. There are some beautiful sections of prose and then there are times when you feel bogged by it all.
From what research I have done Sanders Anne Laubenthal was a peet, novelist and historian. I have a second edition of paperback with the cover art by Darrell Sweet.
The story is set in Mobile, Alabama and an archaeologist Rhodri is searching for the legendary medieval Welsh colonisation of the area.
The novel is rich in description, detail, myth and fantasy. The characters are well conceived but the language and tone of the book make it compelling. There are some beautiful sections of prose and then there are times when you feel bogged by it all.
From what research I have done Sanders Anne Laubenthal was a peet, novelist and historian. I have a second edition of paperback with the cover art by Darrell Sweet.
May 20, 2013
Very well written in patches and a good early take (70's) on the Arthurian mythos. The early part of the book seems to rush a little into the characters and created a bit of confusion but this was a mild defect in an otherwise splendid tale.
December 27, 2019
Seriously, this Arthurian/grail legend fantasy should be better known. It’s strongly influenced by Celtic mythology and (I suspect) Charles Williams and maybe C.S. Lewis’s later fantasy. Don’t be put off by the Mobile, Alabama, setting. She makes it work.
February 5, 2008
A book I have read many times and loved each time. I buy copies when I find them so I can give them to my friends.
January 12, 2009
This book had to interests for me. I read everything about King Arthur and lived in Mobile Alabama for some years. This book is set in modern times.
May 3, 2017
The sword of Excalibur was Thundering down through the centuries comes the legend of chivalry carved out by EXCALIBUR - the magic sword of Arthur Pendragon the sword was forged in dragons breath an the sired could kill anything. Author pendragon was the only one who could pull it out of the stone because he was the true king of Camelot and he was the only worthy one to do it. When he pull Excalibur from the stone the night and the villagers bowed down to him because he was the true and worthy king of Camelot.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews