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Galahad and the Grail
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Expected 23 Mar 26In this first Volume of Merlin's Isle, join the prophesied youth, Sir Galahad, and the other knights of the quest as they set out from Camelot to achieve the Holy Grail. The accomplishment of their goal will heal not only the wounded Fisher King, but will bring about the long-hoped for healing of the land itself.
Here at the height of his poetic power, Malcolm Guite delivers a tale of adventure in ballad form that plumbs the depths of the human soul, carries readers through the Wasteland, and sets us upon the numinous shores of Faerie in all its mystery and meaning.
This is not an epic destined to be sequestered in the halls of academia, but a tale to be read by young and old alike, to be read aloud among friends, to be read and cherished for generations to come.
Here at the height of his poetic power, Malcolm Guite delivers a tale of adventure in ballad form that plumbs the depths of the human soul, carries readers through the Wasteland, and sets us upon the numinous shores of Faerie in all its mystery and meaning.
This is not an epic destined to be sequestered in the halls of academia, but a tale to be read by young and old alike, to be read aloud among friends, to be read and cherished for generations to come.
372 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 23, 2026
152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 26, 2025
This was absolutely enchanting.
It recounts the quest for the Grail, beginning with Galahad, but also the stories of Lancelot, Bors, and Percivale were shared. All that told in the most gorgeous poetic verses.
The illustrations were beautiful, they match the tone of the book perfectly, so props to the artist for that. And that cover! Stunning.
I am a longtime Arthurian fan, and I feel like a retelling of the quest for the Grail can at times read almost too faith-based and not for everybody. And though there surely were mentions of religion and faith in this book — as there should be, if it’s to be true to the original — they weren’t overwhelming and felt appropriate. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It recounts the quest for the Grail, beginning with Galahad, but also the stories of Lancelot, Bors, and Percivale were shared. All that told in the most gorgeous poetic verses.
The illustrations were beautiful, they match the tone of the book perfectly, so props to the artist for that. And that cover! Stunning.
I am a longtime Arthurian fan, and I feel like a retelling of the quest for the Grail can at times read almost too faith-based and not for everybody. And though there surely were mentions of religion and faith in this book — as there should be, if it’s to be true to the original — they weren’t overwhelming and felt appropriate. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2025
[ARC gifted via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review]
A charming and skilful retelling of the Grail Quest in lovely poetic form; recalls medieval Arthurian narratives, Tennyson, Coleridge, and Tolkien without being derivative, and brings a bit of extra flair to the original narratives / Malory's Morte, via an increased interest in the ecocritical and natural world with the original episode of Galahad & the Naiad, and an extended focus on the Oak, Ash, and Thorn. It also provides an increased role for Percival's sister, who doesn't even get a name in Malory's Morte (Guite pulls the name Dindrane from a separate source I think?) but here has her own miniature quest in an episode that recalls the Rime of the Ancient Mariner very powerfully. Some combining of various characters/plotlines/elements from various sources in places, but given that it seems they do serve to simplify the narrative and create one coherent story it seems reasonable. I do think it's fitting for modern Christians to explore the Galahad and Grail narratives, being that they are so inextricable from their medieval religious basis and unlike other Arthurian stories it's pretty much impossible to secularise them, something that various modern retellings often have trouble with, (but not Guite!). Very beautifully written and engaging, a massively impressive poetic feat you see less and less these days. I felt in places it was a tiny bit clunky in the pacing, but on the whole pretty well balanced considering just how much stuff happens on the grail quest and how skimmy medieval poets could be. I don't imagine people who want from their Arthuriana the sword-swinging mighty battles will find what they're looking for here, but this is impressively true to the experience of reading the original sources... without, you know, being in Middle English. Or Old French. Or anything else.
Some formatting issues in my kindle preview with the anti-distribution warning appearing to obscure some lines and others not having the correct formatting or line breaks yet, but I could generally get through that without too much trouble, and of course that will be fixed in the final edition. I enjoyed both Clarke's foreword and Guite's afterwords, and thought they had a lot of really good thoughts on how Arthuriana may (and may not) fit into a modern Britain, and Stephen Crotts's woodcut style illustrations were lovely.
A charming and skilful retelling of the Grail Quest in lovely poetic form; recalls medieval Arthurian narratives, Tennyson, Coleridge, and Tolkien without being derivative, and brings a bit of extra flair to the original narratives / Malory's Morte, via an increased interest in the ecocritical and natural world with the original episode of Galahad & the Naiad, and an extended focus on the Oak, Ash, and Thorn. It also provides an increased role for Percival's sister, who doesn't even get a name in Malory's Morte (Guite pulls the name Dindrane from a separate source I think?) but here has her own miniature quest in an episode that recalls the Rime of the Ancient Mariner very powerfully. Some combining of various characters/plotlines/elements from various sources in places, but given that it seems they do serve to simplify the narrative and create one coherent story it seems reasonable. I do think it's fitting for modern Christians to explore the Galahad and Grail narratives, being that they are so inextricable from their medieval religious basis and unlike other Arthurian stories it's pretty much impossible to secularise them, something that various modern retellings often have trouble with, (but not Guite!). Very beautifully written and engaging, a massively impressive poetic feat you see less and less these days. I felt in places it was a tiny bit clunky in the pacing, but on the whole pretty well balanced considering just how much stuff happens on the grail quest and how skimmy medieval poets could be. I don't imagine people who want from their Arthuriana the sword-swinging mighty battles will find what they're looking for here, but this is impressively true to the experience of reading the original sources... without, you know, being in Middle English. Or Old French. Or anything else.
Some formatting issues in my kindle preview with the anti-distribution warning appearing to obscure some lines and others not having the correct formatting or line breaks yet, but I could generally get through that without too much trouble, and of course that will be fixed in the final edition. I enjoyed both Clarke's foreword and Guite's afterwords, and thought they had a lot of really good thoughts on how Arthuriana may (and may not) fit into a modern Britain, and Stephen Crotts's woodcut style illustrations were lovely.
December 20, 2025
(ARC provided via Netgalley)
Wow. This isn't a book so much as an achievement. Malcolm Guite presents the Arthurian legend to us as an epic narrative poem, and any words I write here won't do it justice. It's medieval in its feel and yet accessibly clear in its language (the verse serves the story rather than obscures it). It's so rhythmic that it begs to be read out loud (Seriously. I dare you not to read this out loud; every night as I put the book down, the iambic tetrameter was still bouncing around in my head, even without any specific words). It's gorgeous and uplifting and quotable. The two-color illustrations and capital flourishes wonderfully strengthen the whole feel of the book.
The poetry doesn't miss on the Arthurian Christian symbolism, making the Grail quest the sort of spiritual pilgrimage it was meant to be. Guite explains his sources and approach in the appendices, as well as a beautifully gospel-minded interpretation of the Grail and the Wastelands.
The best thing I know to say about this book is that, as I read it, it felt like this is the way the Arthurian legend was meant to be read, meant to be experienced. We should celebrate that books like this are still being written out into the world. What a gift. I can't wait to hold a hard copy in my hand when the book releases in March. And Lord willing, three more volumes will join it soon!
Wow. This isn't a book so much as an achievement. Malcolm Guite presents the Arthurian legend to us as an epic narrative poem, and any words I write here won't do it justice. It's medieval in its feel and yet accessibly clear in its language (the verse serves the story rather than obscures it). It's so rhythmic that it begs to be read out loud (Seriously. I dare you not to read this out loud; every night as I put the book down, the iambic tetrameter was still bouncing around in my head, even without any specific words). It's gorgeous and uplifting and quotable. The two-color illustrations and capital flourishes wonderfully strengthen the whole feel of the book.
The poetry doesn't miss on the Arthurian Christian symbolism, making the Grail quest the sort of spiritual pilgrimage it was meant to be. Guite explains his sources and approach in the appendices, as well as a beautifully gospel-minded interpretation of the Grail and the Wastelands.
The best thing I know to say about this book is that, as I read it, it felt like this is the way the Arthurian legend was meant to be read, meant to be experienced. We should celebrate that books like this are still being written out into the world. What a gift. I can't wait to hold a hard copy in my hand when the book releases in March. And Lord willing, three more volumes will join it soon!
November 17, 2025
A beautifully crafted book and the first of four volumes on King Arthur. This opening installment follows the young Sir Galahad and the other knights of the quest as they depart Camelot in pursuit of the Holy Grail.
From the moment I opened it, I was struck by how stunning the book is—each stave begins with a uniquely illuminated capital, and Stephen Crotts’s illustrations throughout effortlessly draw you into Sir Galahad’s world. The poetry is remarkably accessible and easy to read, and the author brings the story to life with vivid, magical imagery conveyed through clear, inviting language. It’s a truly impressive achievement, and I absolutely love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rabbit Room Press, and author Malcolm Guite for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
From the moment I opened it, I was struck by how stunning the book is—each stave begins with a uniquely illuminated capital, and Stephen Crotts’s illustrations throughout effortlessly draw you into Sir Galahad’s world. The poetry is remarkably accessible and easy to read, and the author brings the story to life with vivid, magical imagery conveyed through clear, inviting language. It’s a truly impressive achievement, and I absolutely love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rabbit Room Press, and author Malcolm Guite for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2025
luncky to have an ebook ARC copy thank you @netgalley An epic dance in Aurthian legend. It's thoughtful magical and totally and utterly enthralling. I was whisked into the realms of Aurthur and I did not want to leave. Thank you Malcolm for sharing your masterpiece 🙏
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December 21, 2025Immensely excited for this.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews