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Merlin's Booke
A series of interconnected stories and novellas follow the exploits of the legendary wizard Merlin as he places Arthur on the throne of Camelot and falls for the lovely Nimue, who brings about his downfall
176 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1986
69 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Jane Yolen
971 books3,233 followersJane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 25, 2017
A collection of short stories and poems about the various facets of the character of Merlin. Legends and literature have depicted Merlin variously as a half-devil, a wild man, a wise man, a mage, and others, and Yolen's short stories and poems explore these different aspects. Each is introduced with a quote from an older source, usually Geoffrey of Monmouth's history or Thomas Mallory's literary account, Le Morte D'Arthur.
I liked some more than others. There are two very different portrayals of Guinevere - 'The Gwynhfar' takes the usual depiction of her as a beautiful but empty headed doll to the extreme conclusion, whereas 'The Sword and the Stone' shows her as likeable and resourceful though I would have thought rather unlikely to do the silly things the legend requires.
There is some beautiful scene setting and evocation of character in some of these such as in 'Evian Steel' set on an island of women, although I didn't get all the allusions - I think Elaine was the woman who pined away for love of Lancelot which didn't fit at all with her character here, and I'm not sure who the older girl was supposed to be unless she is another version of Guinevere.
The weakest story is 'Epitaph' the last in the collection, which deals with what would happen if Merlin's mummified body were to be discovered in the modern world - it is seemingly set some time after the year 2000 (the book was published in the 1980s) as it makes two references to the 1990s as being in the past. It dropped a few 'clangers' - an Oxford don would not refer to candy bars as this is an American term - and none of the characters came alive in the way they did in the stories set in an imaginary past.
Overall, an enjoyable read and a different take on the Arthurian legends.
I liked some more than others. There are two very different portrayals of Guinevere - 'The Gwynhfar' takes the usual depiction of her as a beautiful but empty headed doll to the extreme conclusion, whereas 'The Sword and the Stone' shows her as likeable and resourceful though I would have thought rather unlikely to do the silly things the legend requires.
There is some beautiful scene setting and evocation of character in some of these such as in 'Evian Steel' set on an island of women, although I didn't get all the allusions - I think Elaine was the woman who pined away for love of Lancelot which didn't fit at all with her character here, and I'm not sure who the older girl was supposed to be unless she is another version of Guinevere.
The weakest story is 'Epitaph' the last in the collection, which deals with what would happen if Merlin's mummified body were to be discovered in the modern world - it is seemingly set some time after the year 2000 (the book was published in the 1980s) as it makes two references to the 1990s as being in the past. It dropped a few 'clangers' - an Oxford don would not refer to candy bars as this is an American term - and none of the characters came alive in the way they did in the stories set in an imaginary past.
Overall, an enjoyable read and a different take on the Arthurian legends.
December 25, 2015
I've been reluctant to start this novel (and any of Jane Yolen's one) because I knew she usually wrote about Merlin and, well, the title of this book is "Merlin's Booke". I am not really a Merlin person and I tend to avoid stories specifically about him, but after reading one of Yolen's short stories in "Invitation to Camelot" I finally decided to try this one too. Boy, was I wrong in doubting.
Jane Yolen could write about anything and I would probably love it anyway because she is amazing in waving and creating surprising short stories, giving and timing rightly the surprises and original twists.
This book is a collection of stories more or less about Merlin or with Merlin as a main character (and some poetries). All the stories are worthy and this has definitely become one of my favorite arthurian books.
No spoilers, as the good thing of these stories IS the plot twist/the surprise by the end of them, but I particularly enjoyed how she used the character of Guinevere and how every Merlin was different in every story.
Jane Yolen could write about anything and I would probably love it anyway because she is amazing in waving and creating surprising short stories, giving and timing rightly the surprises and original twists.
This book is a collection of stories more or less about Merlin or with Merlin as a main character (and some poetries). All the stories are worthy and this has definitely become one of my favorite arthurian books.
No spoilers, as the good thing of these stories IS the plot twist/the surprise by the end of them, but I particularly enjoyed how she used the character of Guinevere and how every Merlin was different in every story.
October 21, 2025
"Merlin's greatest power, though, is that centuries of listeners and readers have believed in him. They believed in Geoffrey of Monmouth's version, in Sir Thomas Malory's version, in T.H. White's version, in Mary Stewart's version -- even though the Merlin in each of these and hundreds of other recreations is never the same. But then was not Merlin a shape-shifter, a man of shadows, a son of an incubus, a creature of mists?"
The stories in this collection were published between 1983-86, when Jane Yolen first began to write about Arthurian legends. They are ordered chronologically throughout the life of the great mage, but they do not strive for internal continuity. Each Merlin is unique in some aspect. The Merlins do not necessarily share the same backgrounds, goals or beliefs from story to story.
Yolen's plots are derived principally from the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Sir Thomas Malory.
"The Confession of Brother Blaise" -- A virgin nun gives birth to a child of prophecy, and the scribe Geoffrey of Monmouth dutifully records the strange facts of the case. Is it a miracle, or has she been seduced by an incubus?
"The Wild Child" – Merlin is abandoned in the woods and lives like a feral animal for two years. The falconer Robin takes him in at the age of eight and tames him as he would a wild falcon. Later expanded into the children's novel Pasager (Young Merlin Trilogy #1)
"Dream Reader" -- As a teenager, Merillan is taken in by a traveling magician and his pretty female assistant. He is rechristened Merlin due to his affinity for hawks, and he is employed as an interpreter of dreams for rich noble patrons. It is usually just an act, but Merlin suspects his own dreams often do come true in surprising ways. Later expanded into the children's novel Hobby (Young Merlin Trilogy #2)
"The Gwynhfar" -- The Old One buys an infant albino girl, intending to fulfil one of his own prophecies about a chosen king and a pale regal queen who will knit the kingdom together. How much is foresight, and how much sleight of hand? How much does the truth matter when everyone believes the fairy tale?
"The Dragon's Boy" -- A fosterling at the King's court, Artos stumbles across a cave outside the castle wall that houses a dragon who offers wisdom in exchange for food. With the dragon's help, he begins to learn how to become a leader of men. Later expanded into a children's novel of the same name.
"The Sword and the Stone" -- Arthur has been king for several years, but he struggles to convince the Northern tribes to rally to his banner. Merlinnus devises the famous sword-and-stone legerdemain to convince the people, but it is Guinevere, not Arthur, who proves her mettle in this reimagining. Later expanded into the YA novel Sword of the Rightful King.
"Evian Steel" -- Malory writes: "That is the Lady of the Lake and within that lake is a rock, and therein is as fair a place as any on earth, and richly beseen.” Yolen explores this fair island where a sisterhood forges swords with blood magic. Gwenyth (Guinevere) is revealed as the creator of Excalibur.
"In the Whitethorn Wood" -- Merlin wakes from enchanted slumber within a whitethorn tree, where Nimue has imprisoned him to protect her chastity. Can he figure out how to escape before he is lost to time forever?
"Epitaph" -- Present-day scholars search for Merlin's tomb, hoping to prove he was a figure of history, not just myth. This story has connections to both "The Confession of Brother Blaise" and "In the Whitethorn Wood".
This collection also contains three poems: "The Ballad of the Mage's Birth", "Merlin at Stonehenge", and "L'Envoi".
4 stars
The stories in this collection were published between 1983-86, when Jane Yolen first began to write about Arthurian legends. They are ordered chronologically throughout the life of the great mage, but they do not strive for internal continuity. Each Merlin is unique in some aspect. The Merlins do not necessarily share the same backgrounds, goals or beliefs from story to story.
Yolen's plots are derived principally from the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Sir Thomas Malory.
"The Confession of Brother Blaise" -- A virgin nun gives birth to a child of prophecy, and the scribe Geoffrey of Monmouth dutifully records the strange facts of the case. Is it a miracle, or has she been seduced by an incubus?
"The Wild Child" – Merlin is abandoned in the woods and lives like a feral animal for two years. The falconer Robin takes him in at the age of eight and tames him as he would a wild falcon. Later expanded into the children's novel Pasager (Young Merlin Trilogy #1)
"Dream Reader" -- As a teenager, Merillan is taken in by a traveling magician and his pretty female assistant. He is rechristened Merlin due to his affinity for hawks, and he is employed as an interpreter of dreams for rich noble patrons. It is usually just an act, but Merlin suspects his own dreams often do come true in surprising ways. Later expanded into the children's novel Hobby (Young Merlin Trilogy #2)
"The Gwynhfar" -- The Old One buys an infant albino girl, intending to fulfil one of his own prophecies about a chosen king and a pale regal queen who will knit the kingdom together. How much is foresight, and how much sleight of hand? How much does the truth matter when everyone believes the fairy tale?
"The Dragon's Boy" -- A fosterling at the King's court, Artos stumbles across a cave outside the castle wall that houses a dragon who offers wisdom in exchange for food. With the dragon's help, he begins to learn how to become a leader of men. Later expanded into a children's novel of the same name.
"The Sword and the Stone" -- Arthur has been king for several years, but he struggles to convince the Northern tribes to rally to his banner. Merlinnus devises the famous sword-and-stone legerdemain to convince the people, but it is Guinevere, not Arthur, who proves her mettle in this reimagining. Later expanded into the YA novel Sword of the Rightful King.
"Evian Steel" -- Malory writes: "That is the Lady of the Lake and within that lake is a rock, and therein is as fair a place as any on earth, and richly beseen.” Yolen explores this fair island where a sisterhood forges swords with blood magic. Gwenyth (Guinevere) is revealed as the creator of Excalibur.
"In the Whitethorn Wood" -- Merlin wakes from enchanted slumber within a whitethorn tree, where Nimue has imprisoned him to protect her chastity. Can he figure out how to escape before he is lost to time forever?
"Epitaph" -- Present-day scholars search for Merlin's tomb, hoping to prove he was a figure of history, not just myth. This story has connections to both "The Confession of Brother Blaise" and "In the Whitethorn Wood".
This collection also contains three poems: "The Ballad of the Mage's Birth", "Merlin at Stonehenge", and "L'Envoi".
4 stars
December 9, 2020
Most of the short stories and poems in Merlin's Booke were written and published in the '80s and collected previously, though the present collection is a more current reissue. Jane Yolen is a wonderful story teller, and that holds true for each story in the book. The stories come from many traditions besides the two main sources, Geoffrey of Monmouth and Thomas Malory, plus each has a twist added by the author. Each story is consistent within itself, but the stories don't align with each other to create a single, greater-than-life view of the mage, just as the various stories from Welsh and Celtic legends don't mesh. Thus, readers will get a multifaceted view of the wizard: stories of his wildness living alone as a youth in the forest, his birth as part demon and part human (with the demon part cast out), what really happened with the sword and the stone, his interpretation of the red and white dragons fighting, his besottment with Vivian (or Nimue), and so on. The handful of poems work well, I think, but don't rise to the interest inherent in the stories.
December 1, 2018
Truly fascinating
The stories were engrossing and different from one another just as a legend survives. I love reading differing versions of the Arthurian myth and these differing stories of Merlin I felt were greatly entertaining.
The stories were engrossing and different from one another just as a legend survives. I love reading differing versions of the Arthurian myth and these differing stories of Merlin I felt were greatly entertaining.
December 11, 2023
There is a predictable flavor to any "sword and sorcery" books written in the 1980s and so it is with this collection of short stories, and a few poems, that touch upon the legend of Merlin (or probably more correctly, that of the Merlin-Arthur legend).
Regarding this collection, there are a few strong stories (all of the poems are good), but overall most come off as weak or strange. For readers looking for strong female characters, take a hard pass. 95% of the book puts anyone female as someone stupid, or someone to be won as a prize (typical trope).
Fantasy in the 1980s was heavily influenced by Tolkien, and D&D. I should know as I read masses of that genre when I was a kid, so when I started reading this collection one or two pages into each story I knew exactly how it would end. You will either find that comfortable or boring.
The Ballad of the Mage's Birth was the best piece IMO. Whenever Yolen does anything lyrical such as poetry or song, she really shines. I would buy this one set to music in a heartbeat.
The Confession of Brother Blaise - weirdly puts Merlin as some imp born to a nun. This one and a few of the later stories that keep mixing up Christianity with Pagan themes, really don't fare well.
The Wild Child - standard 80s. Nice read, but predictable.
Dream Reader - standard 80s. The same as above.
The Annunciation - a long poem.
The Gwynhfar - bizarre. But white worm-maggot-like creatures (is the Gwynhfar supposed to be albino?) kept underground were really popular concepts in the 1980s, don't ask me why. There must be a D&D character like that.
The Dragon's Boy - 1980s trope, but fun.
The Sword and the Stone - 1980s trope following one of Tolkien's themes so the ending was predictable. What was really unforgiveable was Arthur reading a PAPER, which made me wonder if the whole piece wasn't meant to be a farce? If so, she needed to go bigger with that.
BTW loved (sarcasm here) how the MC's sister is rewarded with a forced marriage to a man who disgraced her. There's a lot of little things like this which just made my teeth ache - and TBH would have made my 12 year old, feminist girl-heart scream if I had read this when published.
Merlin at Stonehenge - long poem. Knowing what we do about Stonehenge now, this poem really doesn't fit.
Evian Steel - a bizarre mix of Christianity, Mystery Cults, and paganism, resulting in a story that just makes you cringe. I think this one must have been heavily influenced by Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon (1983).
In the Whitethorn Wood - 1980s predictable.
Epitaph - was a DNF for me.
My overall opinion of this book is that it isn't worth it unless you are a Yolen fan, or you love the 1980s tropes. I can't imagine many female readers being enchanted with this collection.
What is really disappointing about this collection:
* Zero attempt at any time-period accuracy. Yolen's coy reference to the Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset, England, claiming to discover the resting place of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere in 1191, comes off as a bit twee. Medieval kitchens were located outside, not in. There were no paper products. Very doubtful that any of the characters (unless RAISED in a monastery) would have been able to read.
* The strange blend of Christianity and pagan beliefs throughout the stories, come off as either preachy or clunky. Considering how Christianity wiped out any of the old beliefs by simply appropriating them as their own, all of this made me very uncomfortable, and made for disappointing reading.
* The Merlin-King Arthur myth has so much richness to it, I was really hoping to see that here. Most of the stories has Merlin as a side character to be trotted out to do magic. He's either the young clumsy boy, or the wise old wizard. There is no depth to who he might have been and his relationships.
These books might provide you a nostalgic warmness to your reading brain, or the opposite - you grow impatient viewing it from today's lens and want to throw the book across the room.
A lot of these authors are being re-published at this time and for those looking for old favorites you might just luck out.
Regarding this collection, there are a few strong stories (all of the poems are good), but overall most come off as weak or strange. For readers looking for strong female characters, take a hard pass. 95% of the book puts anyone female as someone stupid, or someone to be won as a prize (typical trope).
Fantasy in the 1980s was heavily influenced by Tolkien, and D&D. I should know as I read masses of that genre when I was a kid, so when I started reading this collection one or two pages into each story I knew exactly how it would end. You will either find that comfortable or boring.
The Ballad of the Mage's Birth was the best piece IMO. Whenever Yolen does anything lyrical such as poetry or song, she really shines. I would buy this one set to music in a heartbeat.
The Confession of Brother Blaise - weirdly puts Merlin as some imp born to a nun. This one and a few of the later stories that keep mixing up Christianity with Pagan themes, really don't fare well.
The Wild Child - standard 80s. Nice read, but predictable.
Dream Reader - standard 80s. The same as above.
The Annunciation - a long poem.
The Gwynhfar - bizarre. But white worm-maggot-like creatures (is the Gwynhfar supposed to be albino?) kept underground were really popular concepts in the 1980s, don't ask me why. There must be a D&D character like that.
The Dragon's Boy - 1980s trope, but fun.
The Sword and the Stone - 1980s trope following one of Tolkien's themes so the ending was predictable. What was really unforgiveable was Arthur reading a PAPER, which made me wonder if the whole piece wasn't meant to be a farce? If so, she needed to go bigger with that.
BTW loved (sarcasm here) how the MC's sister is rewarded with a forced marriage to a man who disgraced her. There's a lot of little things like this which just made my teeth ache - and TBH would have made my 12 year old, feminist girl-heart scream if I had read this when published.
Merlin at Stonehenge - long poem. Knowing what we do about Stonehenge now, this poem really doesn't fit.
Evian Steel - a bizarre mix of Christianity, Mystery Cults, and paganism, resulting in a story that just makes you cringe. I think this one must have been heavily influenced by Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon (1983).
In the Whitethorn Wood - 1980s predictable.
Epitaph - was a DNF for me.
My overall opinion of this book is that it isn't worth it unless you are a Yolen fan, or you love the 1980s tropes. I can't imagine many female readers being enchanted with this collection.
What is really disappointing about this collection:
* Zero attempt at any time-period accuracy. Yolen's coy reference to the Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset, England, claiming to discover the resting place of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere in 1191, comes off as a bit twee. Medieval kitchens were located outside, not in. There were no paper products. Very doubtful that any of the characters (unless RAISED in a monastery) would have been able to read.
* The strange blend of Christianity and pagan beliefs throughout the stories, come off as either preachy or clunky. Considering how Christianity wiped out any of the old beliefs by simply appropriating them as their own, all of this made me very uncomfortable, and made for disappointing reading.
* The Merlin-King Arthur myth has so much richness to it, I was really hoping to see that here. Most of the stories has Merlin as a side character to be trotted out to do magic. He's either the young clumsy boy, or the wise old wizard. There is no depth to who he might have been and his relationships.
These books might provide you a nostalgic warmness to your reading brain, or the opposite - you grow impatient viewing it from today's lens and want to throw the book across the room.
A lot of these authors are being re-published at this time and for those looking for old favorites you might just luck out.
January 14, 2024
This is an anthology of stories Yolen wrote about the famous mage of the Arthurian legends. I'd previously read her Young Merlin Chronicles, and two of the pieces here were the bases for those books. "The Sword and the Stone" also became the seed for a longer tale, Sword of the Rightful King, but I haven't read that one. Not only does Merlin's characterization change considerably from one story to another, but other elements and characters do as well. Guinevere is, at various times, a nearly mindless child brought up specifically to be Arthur's wife, in disguise as a male knight, and the maker of a sword on Avalon. The stories also differ considerably in tone. "The Confession of Brother Blaise" is about how Merlin is said to have been the child of a nun who was raped by a demon, and how Blaise saved him. It has the monk dictating the tale to Geoffrey of Monmouth. "The Dragon's Boy" has Merlin playing the part of a dragon in order to teach the once and future king, in the manner of the Wizard of Oz. Other tales deal with Merlin's dream about the two dragons and his entrapment by Nimue. And "Epitaph" is about modern reactions to someone finding Merlin's tomb in the present day. It's a pretty good collection, although the tales vary in quality.
December 28, 2022
A cool collection of very loosely connected stories about everyone's favorite Arthurian wizard. They are in chronological order by Merlin's age, but the narrative does not flow from one story to the next. Best to treat them all as separate, unrelated stories sharing a common theme. From Jane Yolen's notes, that sounds like it was her approach from the beginning. Enjoyable... as long as you don't expect a kind of novel created out of separate stories. I would recommend it to Camelot fans.
July 27, 2024
I have a review on my Channel: 2 Arthurian Reviews
A Simple collection of some of the short stories that Yolen has written, Yolen has a certain way with telling Arthurian stories that sucks me into them. I did skip over two of them because I had read them before but overall a decent collection.
A Simple collection of some of the short stories that Yolen has written, Yolen has a certain way with telling Arthurian stories that sucks me into them. I did skip over two of them because I had read them before but overall a decent collection.
August 3, 2024
An assortment of related short stories concerning the life of said magician. However, some are more related than others. Each chapter begins with a quote, usually from Geoffrey of Monmouth. My problem with the book was the leap from one "chapter" to the next was not obvious, especially to a non Merlin/King Arthur student. The narrative does not flow well. 176 pages
July 20, 2019
Short stories about Merlin
An uneven mix of quotes, poetry, and stories relating to Merlin of Arthurian lore. A few of the entries were excellent, a few rather odd, and the rest were interesting but not particularly unique.
An uneven mix of quotes, poetry, and stories relating to Merlin of Arthurian lore. A few of the entries were excellent, a few rather odd, and the rest were interesting but not particularly unique.
March 1, 2023
Interesting interpretation
A very enjoyable collection of stories including various characters mentioned in Arthurian legends. Very well written. I will be looking for more books written by this particular author.
A very enjoyable collection of stories including various characters mentioned in Arthurian legends. Very well written. I will be looking for more books written by this particular author.
March 6, 2025
A mixed bag -- some excellent, some less so. I had hoped that "Evian Steel" would work better for me this time around, but I still have considerable problems with both the point of view and the plot in general.
January 10, 2023
Fascinating collection of Merlin and Arthur-related pieces. Jane Yolen is so good with words and unusual approaches to her subject. Well worth reading.
January 13, 2023
Slow, folksy tale of the life of Merlin. Fun reading about how the powerful wizard of Camelot became who he is in the legends of King Arthur.
February 4, 2023
The premise is clever enough, and maybe if I'd read it 20 years ago I'd've liked it. The stories and poems for me lacked a cohering spirit, lacked the magic required. 3.5 rounded down. YMMV.
June 2, 2023
Enjoyable
Interesting approach to the Arthur legend. The view from stories about Merlin was engaging and held my interest with changing points of view.
Interesting approach to the Arthur legend. The view from stories about Merlin was engaging and held my interest with changing points of view.
August 10, 2025
Some stories were better than others, but as a whole this was pretty good.
August 27, 2014
I’ve yet to list Jane Yolen as one of my favorite authors, but I do think she’s a master. I’m always excited to see her name listed in anthologies. Her short story “Meditation in a Whitethorn Tree” is a masterpiece, and her award-winning picture book Owl Moon is just lovely. Oddly enough, I’ve found her novels hit-and-miss; she seems to do better with shorter forms.
Merlin's Booke contains thirteen stories and poems centered around the figure of the mythical mage. Merlin appears in many different guises over the course of the collection: the devil-child born of a nun and an incubus, the feral wood-boy, the young dreamer who sees truth “on the slant,” the mysterious orchestrator of a king’s conception, the old druid arranging political marriages, the bard who undertakes a young boy’s education, the old dotard who falls for a vixen’s charms.
“Was not Merlin a shape-shifter, a man of shadows, ... a creatures of mists?” Yolen asks in her introduction. “There is not one Merlin, but a multitude.”
I didn't care for the poems that open and close this collection, but the other verse pieces are beautiful, showcasing Yolen’s musical ear and shifting gracefully from the general to the specific. I love this stanza from “The Annunciation”:
Love goes in motley
and in mask
and, counterfeit,
completes the task
that I have set him
for this night.
So love plays love
without the light.
The short stories are just as good, if not better. Some feel a little incomplete at their endings, as if they are merely the beginning of stories. But then, I don’t read Yolen for plot, which is not her strong suit; I read her for her characters and the beauty of her language. And most of the time you can guess what follows if you are at all familiar with the mythos. I was impressed with the opening tale, “The Confession of Brother Blaise,” which takes a part of Merlin’s story that I dislike and somehow turns it into a tale of redemption. “The Gwynhfar” is an odd, eerie, haunting little tale that is completely unexpected, but somehow unforgettable—probably my favorite in the collection. And “The Sword and the Stone” may be even better than the novel she turned it into, Sword of the Rightful King, which I remember liking quite a bit.
What really makes Yolen’s take on the Arthurian legend special (both here and elsewhere) is her ability to suggest, with just a few carefully chosen words, possibilities, subplots, and relationships that you might never have thought of before. For instance, I want to know more about the Lancelot of “The Sword and the Stone,” even though he was a minor character at best. And this is coming from someone who is usually not too taken with Arthur’s greatest knight.
If you’re looking for short stories about the Matter of Britain, this collection is highly recommended. (Also check out Parke Godwin's anthology Invitation to Camelot.)
Merlin's Booke contains thirteen stories and poems centered around the figure of the mythical mage. Merlin appears in many different guises over the course of the collection: the devil-child born of a nun and an incubus, the feral wood-boy, the young dreamer who sees truth “on the slant,” the mysterious orchestrator of a king’s conception, the old druid arranging political marriages, the bard who undertakes a young boy’s education, the old dotard who falls for a vixen’s charms.
“Was not Merlin a shape-shifter, a man of shadows, ... a creatures of mists?” Yolen asks in her introduction. “There is not one Merlin, but a multitude.”
I didn't care for the poems that open and close this collection, but the other verse pieces are beautiful, showcasing Yolen’s musical ear and shifting gracefully from the general to the specific. I love this stanza from “The Annunciation”:
Love goes in motley
and in mask
and, counterfeit,
completes the task
that I have set him
for this night.
So love plays love
without the light.
The short stories are just as good, if not better. Some feel a little incomplete at their endings, as if they are merely the beginning of stories. But then, I don’t read Yolen for plot, which is not her strong suit; I read her for her characters and the beauty of her language. And most of the time you can guess what follows if you are at all familiar with the mythos. I was impressed with the opening tale, “The Confession of Brother Blaise,” which takes a part of Merlin’s story that I dislike and somehow turns it into a tale of redemption. “The Gwynhfar” is an odd, eerie, haunting little tale that is completely unexpected, but somehow unforgettable—probably my favorite in the collection. And “The Sword and the Stone” may be even better than the novel she turned it into, Sword of the Rightful King, which I remember liking quite a bit.
What really makes Yolen’s take on the Arthurian legend special (both here and elsewhere) is her ability to suggest, with just a few carefully chosen words, possibilities, subplots, and relationships that you might never have thought of before. For instance, I want to know more about the Lancelot of “The Sword and the Stone,” even though he was a minor character at best. And this is coming from someone who is usually not too taken with Arthur’s greatest knight.
If you’re looking for short stories about the Matter of Britain, this collection is highly recommended. (Also check out Parke Godwin's anthology Invitation to Camelot.)
August 12, 2013
"Restoring the Arthurian Mythos”
A literary enchantment in and of itself MERLIN’S BOOKE lures readers of Arthuriana into the labyrinth of timeless myth by its title alone. With breathtaking imagination and panoramic scope Jane Yolen delicately draws aside the veil surrounding The Matter of Britain. We may think we are familiar with the poignant legends of the mysterious wizard who mentored the boy king, but here has skillfully embroidered her own tapestries of the beloved myth. Who can resist the call of the bejeweled Excalibur—held aloft in shimmering triumph by a dainty hand from beneath the undulating waters of the lake?
Yolen has bequeathed to 20th century civilization this amazing anthology of interrelated tales—woven around the provocative and highly-disputed cult of the sorcerer of Camelot. Readers may expect unique versions of his birth, boyhood, the search for Guinivere, the Sword in the Stone, and his sylvan demise. The ensemble is crowned
by her delightfully anachronistic scenario of a modern press conference, at which a fervent Arthurian anthropologist and charming Prince of Wales attempt to convince skeptics of the validity of Merlin’s life and death. Who knows—perhaps in our communal souls we are secretly hoping that the dedicated pair are right….
So let down your guard—that your heart and imagination may
joyously run riot! Surrender to the spell cast—not only by Merlin himself--but by the talented author, as she parts the swirling mists of centuries to reveal a new slant on an old friend. Behold the Mage of Ages!
(April 11, 2013. I welcome dialogue with readers.)
A literary enchantment in and of itself MERLIN’S BOOKE lures readers of Arthuriana into the labyrinth of timeless myth by its title alone. With breathtaking imagination and panoramic scope Jane Yolen delicately draws aside the veil surrounding The Matter of Britain. We may think we are familiar with the poignant legends of the mysterious wizard who mentored the boy king, but here has skillfully embroidered her own tapestries of the beloved myth. Who can resist the call of the bejeweled Excalibur—held aloft in shimmering triumph by a dainty hand from beneath the undulating waters of the lake?
Yolen has bequeathed to 20th century civilization this amazing anthology of interrelated tales—woven around the provocative and highly-disputed cult of the sorcerer of Camelot. Readers may expect unique versions of his birth, boyhood, the search for Guinivere, the Sword in the Stone, and his sylvan demise. The ensemble is crowned
by her delightfully anachronistic scenario of a modern press conference, at which a fervent Arthurian anthropologist and charming Prince of Wales attempt to convince skeptics of the validity of Merlin’s life and death. Who knows—perhaps in our communal souls we are secretly hoping that the dedicated pair are right….
So let down your guard—that your heart and imagination may
joyously run riot! Surrender to the spell cast—not only by Merlin himself--but by the talented author, as she parts the swirling mists of centuries to reveal a new slant on an old friend. Behold the Mage of Ages!
(April 11, 2013. I welcome dialogue with readers.)
January 20, 2020
I put this book on the kids' bedtime story shelf because they've been into Arthurian legends. I had only a few moments where I regretted that decision when reading this to my nine-year-old. (This wasn't really intended for kids, but it mostly worked out okay.)
This collection of stories about Merlin is not really connected -- in fact some of these stories are fairly incompatible with each other. But each story on its own is certainly interesting. I found myself wanting more of certain versions of Merlin, which made me realize how little Merlin has been in most of the Arthurian books I've read with the kids so far. Also, how superficially we've scratched the surface of Arthurian legends.
My favorite stories are probably "The Wild Child," where Merlin is a feral child taken in by a falconer, and "The Sword and the Stone," where Guenevere disguises herself as a boy to challenge a knight who dishonored her sister.
Now I need to read more Merlin, and perhaps more Yolen.
This collection of stories about Merlin is not really connected -- in fact some of these stories are fairly incompatible with each other. But each story on its own is certainly interesting. I found myself wanting more of certain versions of Merlin, which made me realize how little Merlin has been in most of the Arthurian books I've read with the kids so far. Also, how superficially we've scratched the surface of Arthurian legends.
My favorite stories are probably "The Wild Child," where Merlin is a feral child taken in by a falconer, and "The Sword and the Stone," where Guenevere disguises herself as a boy to challenge a knight who dishonored her sister.
Now I need to read more Merlin, and perhaps more Yolen.
September 15, 2010
"I AM THE DRAGON
Arch-Mage, Riddle-Master, old fool -- many are the name I am called by, many are the stories told about me, myth and history so woven together that even I cannot separate fact from fancy. Come, listen to an old wizard's stories: of the King I placed upon the throne at Camelot and the barren Queen who sat at his side, of the Knights of the Round Table, and the sword Excalibur, and the lovely Nimue who was my downfall ... Listen, and decide for yourself whether my tales be Truth or Lie ..."
(from the back cover)
Short chapters interwoven among poems -- a retelling of the Arthurian legend, in exquisite language and with a subtle twist.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, could hardly put it down.
Arch-Mage, Riddle-Master, old fool -- many are the name I am called by, many are the stories told about me, myth and history so woven together that even I cannot separate fact from fancy. Come, listen to an old wizard's stories: of the King I placed upon the throne at Camelot and the barren Queen who sat at his side, of the Knights of the Round Table, and the sword Excalibur, and the lovely Nimue who was my downfall ... Listen, and decide for yourself whether my tales be Truth or Lie ..."
(from the back cover)
Short chapters interwoven among poems -- a retelling of the Arthurian legend, in exquisite language and with a subtle twist.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, could hardly put it down.
September 26, 2012
There's many versions of Merlin in the older source material. Sometimes Merlin is a devil, other times just a wise man, other times a magician. In some tales, he lives his life backwards, in others, his perception of time is normal. No version is any more accurate than the rest. Merlin's Book acknowledges all of these versions of Merlin, but makes none definitive.
I really wish I'd read this before I read Catherynne Valente's Under in the Mere. The format is so similar, that my admiration of that one influences my opinions of this version. I do like Jane Yolen a lot, but Valente holds a special place in my heart.
I really wish I'd read this before I read Catherynne Valente's Under in the Mere. The format is so similar, that my admiration of that one influences my opinions of this version. I do like Jane Yolen a lot, but Valente holds a special place in my heart.
May 11, 2016
This collection of short stories and poetry intrigued me as I followed up on Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy. It is not a cohesive whole, rather a collection that shows different facets of the possible Merlins out there. Child of a demon, mage, wild child, fool of love, wise man -- all of these are possibilities and part of the many legends. As with the best fiction, this one makes you think, sometimes to the point of uneasiness.
"What is a magic maker but a mage? A mage deals in images, the prestidigitation of the mind: imagination. Mage, magic, image, imagination. It was all the same."
It is well worth the reading if you enjoy thoughtful fantasy and beautifully used language.
"What is a magic maker but a mage? A mage deals in images, the prestidigitation of the mind: imagination. Mage, magic, image, imagination. It was all the same."
It is well worth the reading if you enjoy thoughtful fantasy and beautifully used language.
December 29, 2011
Jane Yolen can do very little wrong, in my experience, and this book is no exception. Short stories and poems, interspersed with quotations from earlier/classic interpretations of the Merlin myth... Good stuff. I particularly liked her takes on Gwenevere(sp?) and the island of Avalon story especially; that latter one I'd be curious to see spun out into a longer work... I'll be imagining just that for a while, I think.
December 23, 2013
Enjoyable collection of short stories by the master storyteller Yolen. She has such talent for creating characters and weaving narratives, and this collection of stories written over a number of years reveals that while her gifts have been refined by time, they have always been apparent. Engaging.
July 9, 2014
A great collections of short stories on Merlin and King Arthur by Jane Yolen. IF you are a fantasy lover and don't mind short stories, then find yourself a copy of Merlin's Booke.
December 30, 2015
I enjoyed reading some of the different myths about Merlin that I wasn't really familiar with.
March 7, 2016
"Merlin's Booke" - written by Jane Yolen and published in 1986 by Steeldragon Press. Unusual collection of short chapters that seem open-ended.
October 26, 2017
I am normally a fan of Jane Yolen, but I found this collection very uneven.
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