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Tristan and Isolde #1
Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle
In the golden time of Arthur and Guenevere, the Island of the West shines like an emerald in the sea—one of the last strongholds of Goddess-worship and Mother-right. Isolde is the only daughter and heiress of Ireland’s great ruling queen, a lady as passionate in battle as she is in love. La Belle Isolde, like her mother, is famed for her beauty, but she is a healer instead of a warrior, “of all surgeons, the best among the isles.” A natural peacemaker, Isolde is struggling to save Ireland from a war waged by her dangerously reckless mother. The Queen is influenced by her lover, Sir Marhaus, who urges her to invade neighboring Cornwall and claim it for her own, a foolhardy move Isolde is determined to prevent. But she is unable to stop them. King Mark of Cornwall sends forth his own champion to do battle with the Irish—Sir Tristan of Lyonesse—a young, untested knight with a mysterious past. A member of the Round Table, Tristan has returned to the land of his birth after many years in exile, only to face Ireland’s fiercest champion in combat. When he lies victorious but near death on the field of battle, Tristan knows that his only hope of survival lies to the West. He must be taken to Ireland to be healed, but he must go in disguise—for if the Queen finds out who killed her beloved, he will follow Marhaus into the spirit world. His men smuggle him into the Queen’s fort at Dubh Lein, and beg the princess to save him.
From this first meeting of star-crossed lovers, an epic story unfolds. Isolde’s skill and beauty impress Tristan’s uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, and—knowing nothing of her love for Tristan—he decides to make her his queen, a match her mother encourages as a way to bind their lands under one rule. Tristan and Isolde find themselves caught in the crosscurrents of fate, as Isolde is forced to marry a man she does not love. Taking pity on her daughter, the Queen gives her an elixir that will create in her a passion for King Mark and ensure that their love will last until death. But on the voyage to Ireland, Tristan and Isolde drink the love potion by accident, sealing their already perilous love forever.
So begins the first book of the Tristan and Isolde trilogy, another stunning example of the storyteller’s craft from Rosalind Miles, author of the beloved and bestselling Guenevere trilogy.
From this first meeting of star-crossed lovers, an epic story unfolds. Isolde’s skill and beauty impress Tristan’s uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, and—knowing nothing of her love for Tristan—he decides to make her his queen, a match her mother encourages as a way to bind their lands under one rule. Tristan and Isolde find themselves caught in the crosscurrents of fate, as Isolde is forced to marry a man she does not love. Taking pity on her daughter, the Queen gives her an elixir that will create in her a passion for King Mark and ensure that their love will last until death. But on the voyage to Ireland, Tristan and Isolde drink the love potion by accident, sealing their already perilous love forever.
So begins the first book of the Tristan and Isolde trilogy, another stunning example of the storyteller’s craft from Rosalind Miles, author of the beloved and bestselling Guenevere trilogy.
360 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2002
82 people are currently reading
4547 people want to read
About the author
Rosalind Miles
71 books420 followersRosalind Miles is an author born and raised in England and now living in both Los Angeles and Kent, England. She has written both works of fiction and non-fiction. As a child, Miles suffered from polio, and had to undergo several months of treatment. After being accepted to a junior women's college, Miles acquired a working knowledge of Latin and Greek, along with developing her life-long love of Shakespeare. At seventeen, she was promoted to St. Hilda's College, Oxford where she studied English literature, Anglo-Saxon, Middle English, Latin and French. She obtained five degrees in all, ending with a Ph.D. from the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham.
Miles later on became interested in jurisprudence, which resulted in her sitting as a lay magistrate in the English criminal and family courts, and eventually on the bench in a superior court in Coventry. She is also a regular commentator on the BBC, on Canadian Radio, and in The Times.
Miles later on became interested in jurisprudence, which resulted in her sitting as a lay magistrate in the English criminal and family courts, and eventually on the bench in a superior court in Coventry. She is also a regular commentator on the BBC, on Canadian Radio, and in The Times.
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October 29, 2020Childish emotions--too overwrought and changeable. Imagery obvious. Writing veers from painfully bad to barely serviceable. Characters appear to have the emotional capacity of twelve-year-olds. I can't really comment on the story, because I was too busy groaning at the writing to notice if the plot was progressing the way the story of Tristan and Isolde should.
A smattering of quotes:
p. 32 "The noonday sun shone on his silver helmet and the gold torque of knighthood round his neck. Across his back he carried a silver bow...."
Really? A silver bow? Can you even shoot with that? Seems impractical for a lone knight wandering the countryside trying not to call attention to himself. But I guess it matches the silver harp.
p. 32: "His thick cloak was woven of summer green and gold, and his tunic was the color of ivy in winter when its black berries bloom."
Two points:
1) Apparently white, black, and green mixed with gold were the only color choices available to aristocratic folk at the time of the Knights of the Round Table. (Bonus: You can tell the good guys from the bad ones by the colors they wear. Ten points if you can guess who wears matching summer green and gold cloaks....)
2) "Ivy in winter when the black berries bloom" is a tad too obviously mythological in its phrasing for me to take seriously
p. Everywhere: "Astral plane"
p. 69: "The champion's gaze was fixed and Tristan knew that Marhaus foresaw his death. Now he could see the hero light growing stronger around Marhaus's head as his enemy's bright eyes faded and grew dull."
No. No, he couldn't.
p. 88: "Venus the love star was blossoming over the sea."
Of course it is. Tristan is sailing to Ireland to meet Isolde for the first time. Now you're just insulting me.
And it goes on like that. For pages and pages. I gave up on page 173, when I couldn't ignore the shrieking in my brain any longer.
A smattering of quotes:
p. 32 "The noonday sun shone on his silver helmet and the gold torque of knighthood round his neck. Across his back he carried a silver bow...."
Really? A silver bow? Can you even shoot with that? Seems impractical for a lone knight wandering the countryside trying not to call attention to himself. But I guess it matches the silver harp.
p. 32: "His thick cloak was woven of summer green and gold, and his tunic was the color of ivy in winter when its black berries bloom."
Two points:
1) Apparently white, black, and green mixed with gold were the only color choices available to aristocratic folk at the time of the Knights of the Round Table. (Bonus: You can tell the good guys from the bad ones by the colors they wear. Ten points if you can guess who wears matching summer green and gold cloaks....)
2) "Ivy in winter when the black berries bloom" is a tad too obviously mythological in its phrasing for me to take seriously
p. Everywhere: "Astral plane"
p. 69: "The champion's gaze was fixed and Tristan knew that Marhaus foresaw his death. Now he could see the hero light growing stronger around Marhaus's head as his enemy's bright eyes faded and grew dull."
No. No, he couldn't.
p. 88: "Venus the love star was blossoming over the sea."
Of course it is. Tristan is sailing to Ireland to meet Isolde for the first time. Now you're just insulting me.
And it goes on like that. For pages and pages. I gave up on page 173, when I couldn't ignore the shrieking in my brain any longer.
September 1, 2020
Written in the style of rich prose, which will appeal to you if you like rich, descriptive novels. Set in the reign of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, it all begins when the mother of the heroine, Ireland's ruling Queen sends her paramour and most feared knight to Cornwall, Marhaus, to make war and capture that kingdom, ruled by the worthless and effete King Mark. Only one knight, the valiant and chivalrous Sir Tristan of Lyonesse can overcome him, and the enraged Queen vows to avenge the death of her beloved knight and lover. Tristan is gravely wounded by Marhaus' poisoned blade and is sent to be healed by the Princess Isolde, a great healer and beautiful princess who rejects her mother's pressure to marry one of her many suitors. She manages to save Tristan and so the great tale of the star crossed lovers begins. Tristan defeats the Saracen (Arab) knight, Sir Palomides and forces him to return to his own homeland. When the Queen finds out who Tristan is he is driven from the Emerald Island, when he returns it it after being tricked by his uncle, King Mark
to acquire Isolde for himself. Meanwhile the evil machinations of Mark's other nephew, the cunning Sir Andred, the embittered and spite-filled priest Father Dominian and the jealous Lady Elva, put Isolde in mortal peril. The lovers must be reunited but it seems not within the realms of possibility. I enjoyed the large caste of characters , including the many knights and ladies, the side story of the paternity of the son sexually adventurous daughter of Earl Sweyn, Lienore. From old witches to knights and ladies, to the mysterious Merlin and the exotic Roma gypsies, even the minor characters are brought to fruition. Filled with adventure, eroticism and mystery, Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle, is a fantasy toer de force, a masterly recreation of a mythical world based in the pre-Christian British Isles. Vivid characterization, sensually lingering descriptions and a tale full of twists and turns results in an Arthurian novel of extraordinary scope and versatility.
to acquire Isolde for himself. Meanwhile the evil machinations of Mark's other nephew, the cunning Sir Andred, the embittered and spite-filled priest Father Dominian and the jealous Lady Elva, put Isolde in mortal peril. The lovers must be reunited but it seems not within the realms of possibility. I enjoyed the large caste of characters , including the many knights and ladies, the side story of the paternity of the son sexually adventurous daughter of Earl Sweyn, Lienore. From old witches to knights and ladies, to the mysterious Merlin and the exotic Roma gypsies, even the minor characters are brought to fruition. Filled with adventure, eroticism and mystery, Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle, is a fantasy toer de force, a masterly recreation of a mythical world based in the pre-Christian British Isles. Vivid characterization, sensually lingering descriptions and a tale full of twists and turns results in an Arthurian novel of extraordinary scope and versatility.
October 16, 2012
I have this trilogy for reference only. I've read Rosalind Miles' Guenevere trilogy, and it's... terrible. Quickly reading this and the other two books of the trilogy, I can see that it suffers all the same pitfalls. I don't understand Miles' reputation as an academic, though I suppose being an academic doesn't bar you from writing purple prose in your fiction.
Anyway, if you know anything about Rosalind Miles you know what to expect from this: purple prose and syrupy sex and of course, a guise of feminism with the idea of the mother-right and the rule of women -- but the way that's portrayed is just sickening. From the very first chapter: "Half woman, half goddess, the Queen's dreams were her desires, especially when she was under the sway of a man. And when was she ever without one man in the shadow of another, treading hungrily on his rival's heels?"
Just, blech, no. I remember how it was with the other trilogy -- the main female character is meant to be free to choose, to have sexual and romantic freedom and to rule her own country, but in reality the whole narrative feels slimy and most of the women are talked about in that derisive sort of way.
Anyway, if you know anything about Rosalind Miles you know what to expect from this: purple prose and syrupy sex and of course, a guise of feminism with the idea of the mother-right and the rule of women -- but the way that's portrayed is just sickening. From the very first chapter: "Half woman, half goddess, the Queen's dreams were her desires, especially when she was under the sway of a man. And when was she ever without one man in the shadow of another, treading hungrily on his rival's heels?"
Just, blech, no. I remember how it was with the other trilogy -- the main female character is meant to be free to choose, to have sexual and romantic freedom and to rule her own country, but in reality the whole narrative feels slimy and most of the women are talked about in that derisive sort of way.
February 25, 2008
A good book to escape into on a winter's day. The description is beautiful, and the women are strong-willed and full of heart. However, I could have done without some of the "astral plane" talk. Also, Isolde's constant doubt toward Tristan wore on me, and they behaved throughout in a way that I couldn't understand (why mistrust and doubt each other instead of just *talking* to each other?) Overall it was enjoyable, but there were some stiff spots regarding character interrelations that I just couldn't understand.
July 27, 2007
Tristan and Isolde in this novel seem more like selfish children than star-crossed lovers. They bring most of their troubles upon themselves through pouting and poor decision making.
I also couldn't help wondering why it took a love potion to unite these two lovers who were supposedly destined for each other.
I also couldn't help wondering why it took a love potion to unite these two lovers who were supposedly destined for each other.
August 10, 2016
Really, enjoyed this a lot!!! Look forward to reading the others in the series!!!
October 3, 2013
Isolde: Queen of the Western Isle is a really good retelling of the Tristan + Iseult myth. It was also a good start to a series about the star-crossed lovers Tristan and Isolde. I would recommend it for fans of historical fiction and fantasy with a good romance. I would also recommend it for fans of the movie Tristan and Isolde, with James Franco and Sophia Myles.
August 11, 2012
Um...I guess it was okay. I mean, if every time something of any consequence happens, good or bad, the proclamations to "Goddess, Mother" is something you enjoy, then yeah. It was okay.
Aside from the inept writing and the droning on and on of similies, metaphors, and using "Otherworldly" to describe just about EVERYTHING, it was remedial at best. The characters were droll; very 2 dimentional. I found Isolde too whiny much of the time. Tristan was no one that I would lust after or just need to keep reading about. And Mark was dismally annoying. Just blatantly. So, again, it was just okay. I will be reading the other two in this series because Ive already started the series so I may as well finish it.
A very, very big plus to this book was that the chapters were only about 2 or 3 pages long. Which made me feel like I was accomplishing something and getting to the next chapter was sometimes the most exhilarating thing about reading this book. I would highly recommend this to my 8yr old because I feel that that is the level for which this series was written. But anyone who's ever read something and been so deeply moved by any love story will not appreciate the poor conceptual writing in this series. But my 8yr old, who is very much a lover of all things romantic and fanciful, would enjoy something of this magnitude because she's never read anything else like this.
But for those who have, Id recommend it for light reading while waiting for an airplane, or stuck in the waiting room of someplace for such a long time.
I did really like the style in which it was written, though. I really liked how the author broke up the story and it was an interlocked tale between so many. That was enjoyable to follow. But, like I said, I will be reading the other two titles in this series, so how bad, really, could it have been?
Aside from the inept writing and the droning on and on of similies, metaphors, and using "Otherworldly" to describe just about EVERYTHING, it was remedial at best. The characters were droll; very 2 dimentional. I found Isolde too whiny much of the time. Tristan was no one that I would lust after or just need to keep reading about. And Mark was dismally annoying. Just blatantly. So, again, it was just okay. I will be reading the other two in this series because Ive already started the series so I may as well finish it.
A very, very big plus to this book was that the chapters were only about 2 or 3 pages long. Which made me feel like I was accomplishing something and getting to the next chapter was sometimes the most exhilarating thing about reading this book. I would highly recommend this to my 8yr old because I feel that that is the level for which this series was written. But anyone who's ever read something and been so deeply moved by any love story will not appreciate the poor conceptual writing in this series. But my 8yr old, who is very much a lover of all things romantic and fanciful, would enjoy something of this magnitude because she's never read anything else like this.
But for those who have, Id recommend it for light reading while waiting for an airplane, or stuck in the waiting room of someplace for such a long time.
I did really like the style in which it was written, though. I really liked how the author broke up the story and it was an interlocked tale between so many. That was enjoyable to follow. But, like I said, I will be reading the other two titles in this series, so how bad, really, could it have been?
June 8, 2010
I read this book on the heels of a 900+ page novel written in 18th century England. After reading such a piece of British literature, I found the writing in this book too simple and too easy to read with no challenge. I felt the language too modern and mismatched to the time period of the story. The story and characters were not well developed and "Goddess, Mother" was greatly overused. I love historical fiction but was disappointed with this book. I do not plan to continue with more books of this series.
October 16, 2017
Meh.
The story is, of course, well known and I had great expectations. I mean - look at that cover!! (I know, I know. You'd think I'd learn by now that the cover means n.o.t.h.i.n.g. ......... but still ..... look at it. It's awesome!).
*sigh*...... the story certainly has a lot to live up too and it was good to be immersed in such old old folklore, but the writing....... alas...... the writing. It just - hmm - it just lacked the magic and intensity and the depth that this story is. Plus, that being said, the writing was incredibly stilted. For a romance of the ages, you were hard pressed to feel any of it and there were times it was so awkward and choppy that I just put it down and looked longingly at the next book on my TBR pile (which is by Peter Mays where I know the writing is anything but awkward and stilted).
Anyways, I was ever so glad to shut the cover on this one. And I won't be continuing. I know how this story ends and it won't be pretty.
The story is, of course, well known and I had great expectations. I mean - look at that cover!! (I know, I know. You'd think I'd learn by now that the cover means n.o.t.h.i.n.g. ......... but still ..... look at it. It's awesome!).
*sigh*...... the story certainly has a lot to live up too and it was good to be immersed in such old old folklore, but the writing....... alas...... the writing. It just - hmm - it just lacked the magic and intensity and the depth that this story is. Plus, that being said, the writing was incredibly stilted. For a romance of the ages, you were hard pressed to feel any of it and there were times it was so awkward and choppy that I just put it down and looked longingly at the next book on my TBR pile (which is by Peter Mays where I know the writing is anything but awkward and stilted).
Anyways, I was ever so glad to shut the cover on this one. And I won't be continuing. I know how this story ends and it won't be pretty.
April 4, 2020
“True lovers may never know what love means. A man may love a woman out of his reach. She does not know he loves her, and he will never speak of it.”
that cover
This was...okay. It was not bad, but it was not great, and I expected it to be more than it was.
#1: Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle: ★★★☆☆
This was...okay. It was not bad, but it was not great, and I expected it to be more than it was.
August 5, 2017
Sardonic. End point.
May 27, 2024
3.5 stars
February 20, 2011
This story takes place in the time of Arthur and Gwenevere and so reads like a fairytale. Ireland was one of the last places where Goddess-worship and Mother-right disappeared or at least diminished because of Christianity emerging. Rosalind Miles takes these two ideas to their extreme and that is why the book is a light and 'airy-fairy' read. But the age-old story of a princess and her knight is always captivating and this story definitely is. Isolde, the Queen of Ireland's daughter and a renowned healer, first meets Tristan, her knight, when he is brought to her to be saved from near death after having fought Ireland's best champion in combat. His true identity was disguised because the champion he had killed just happened to be her mother, the Queen's, own lover knight and she had sworn revenge. When Tristan recovers he has to return to the safety of Cornwall and his uncle, King Mark's, castle. King Mark decides to bind their lands under one rule by making Isolde his queen. While escorting Isolde to Cornwall on the ship, by a twist of fate they drink an elexir intended for King Mark and Isolde, to create a passion in her for this stranger King, but the effects ensure that the passion is between Tristan and Isolde till death. And so the story unfolds with all the elements of Other-world lore like Merlin being able to take on different shapes to appear before people, and seemingly bottomless pools that open out into caverns where the goddess resides in one of her many forms. And if you are 'hooked' there are two more novels in this trilogy.
November 9, 2012
4.5 ****.* stars Hmm how can I put into words what I felt when I was reading this tale. I have done a lot of reading on Tristan and Isolde, but this is the first time that Isolde came to life for me. She took over my life for a few days. As I would quote the Boyfriend "You are back to that book again?? Why don't you watch some tv with me?" lol yes that's how good it was that I was ignoring the BF. :) It had everything a tale of this magnitude should have and more. Why didn't I give it the full five stars you ask, Simple answer, because I wanted more of it! I need to know where the ending will lead? Will her mother be the Queen behind the scenes. Will King Mark demand that Isolde go back to him, and will Elva and Andred get the opportunity to kill the King so that Andred can become the King with Elva as his queen. And what about Tristan now that he is King is there a way that he and Isolde can become Husband and Wife or will they be forever destined to be lovers and lose each other every time? And I loved how I was able to get glimpses of Arthur and Guinevere and their son. And I want to see Merlin again.
March 16, 2009
LOVE THEM!!!! Couldn’t stop reading. After reading the first one I couldn’t wait to pick the 2nd one up at the library I just went out and bought it instead, then two days later I bought the third book!!!! Here is the skinny: before there was Romeo and Juliet, there was Tristan and Isolde; ancient Celtic/Arthurian legend of star crossed lovers. There so many versions of the story but this one I find most inspiring. Told from a feminist perspective it gives power and a life to Isolde’s character that makes you fall in love with the story, with Tristan, the whole thing. If you know anything about the Wagner opera, the legend, etc. you will know that the lovers meet a tragic end. Traditionally, like Romeo and Juliet that is the point of the story. Prepare to be surprised, Ms. Miles weaves the legend into a new cloth and gives the reader so many twists even if you are familiar with the story the plot is exciting.
August 27, 2016
Totally enjoyed Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle by Rosalinde Miles. This is the first installment of this trilogy of Tristan and Isolde. As I love England, I truly 'get into' books that take me back to England which this book surely does. Cornwall, Tintagel, Avalon (Glastonbury in Somerset), Wales, Camelot (Cadbury in Somerset), Lyonesse (a kingdom attached to the southeast corner of Cornwall extending further south & east which eventually sunk), and London (which is my favorite city of all that I have visited). This book relates quite a tale of Isolde who eventually marries King Mark of Cornwall, but her love stays with Tristan. As I do not know the entire legend of Tristan and Isolde, I am interested to learn what happens and how it happens. On to Book 2!
November 7, 2013
"Any rider coming from Ireland had to pass this way." made me raise my eyebrow.
Merlin musing on his lifetimes (plural, of course) of waiting, then saying that he had "long awaited" the coming spring made me frown.
Calling "the first day of spring," by which I can only assume she means the Vernal Equinox, a "short day" made me mutter under my breath.
The sea-bird looking at Merlin "with an angry, tender eye" and saying (without words, of course) "D'you hear, Merlin?" made me put the book down.
That was pages 3 and 4. (The first two pages were excerpted from Mallory.)
Merlin musing on his lifetimes (plural, of course) of waiting, then saying that he had "long awaited" the coming spring made me frown.
Calling "the first day of spring," by which I can only assume she means the Vernal Equinox, a "short day" made me mutter under my breath.
The sea-bird looking at Merlin "with an angry, tender eye" and saying (without words, of course) "D'you hear, Merlin?" made me put the book down.
That was pages 3 and 4. (The first two pages were excerpted from Mallory.)
March 28, 2007
Favorite Quotes
To face a man in combat is challenge enough. To find the goddess in a woman is the life work of a man. Hard though the first may be, the second is the harder longer road. But every man seeks the woman of the dream, and only the best of men finds what he seeks.
True lovers may never know what love means. A man may love a woman out of his reach. She does not know he loves her, and he will never speak of it.
To face a man in combat is challenge enough. To find the goddess in a woman is the life work of a man. Hard though the first may be, the second is the harder longer road. But every man seeks the woman of the dream, and only the best of men finds what he seeks.
True lovers may never know what love means. A man may love a woman out of his reach. She does not know he loves her, and he will never speak of it.
May 17, 2009
One of the few books I've ever been unable to finish...
As I reached the misunderstanding I just couldn't look at the book anymore, it reminded me of a bad sitcom.
Maybe I'll try reading it again someday, not not anytime some.
As I reached the misunderstanding I just couldn't look at the book anymore, it reminded me of a bad sitcom.
Maybe I'll try reading it again someday, not not anytime some.
September 30, 2012
I loved this book, the begining of a trilogy. I adore stories based in this time period, and this one did not dissapoint me.
October 14, 2025
For as many books as this author has written, the style here was rather amateurish. This is a take on a legend within Arthurian myth, so all the ingredients of the narrative are already there, and are already compelling. The best parts of this story are the parts that are pre-written with the archetype. Somehow, this book managed to be the most boring and uninspired version of a legendary tale.
What this really came down to was the quality of the prose, the lack of engagement with setting, and the complexity of the narrative.
The prose was underwritten, repetitive, and ordinary. It lacked any subtly or lyricism, or really any show of skill. This is prose anyone could write as long as they were competent with the language and familiar with some of the style of Arthurian lore. It repeated itself CONSTANTLY, overused exclamations, and had no sense of tension. Characters are at the utmost emotional level in every scene. There is no building of feeling or nuance to how they feel. It is plastered across the page. The author also failed to choose an interesting framing device for the story, opting for the Frank Herbert school of omniscient third person narration which WAY TOO OFTEN switches to italics inner monologue of our characters. This monologue is also insufferable to read, as it translates directly what Tristan or Isolde thinks in every moment in ways the average reader could easily predict. Furthermore, the dialogue failed to sound authentic even for something ostensibly supposed to be in roughly 500 AD.
And for it being in 500 AD, you'd think the author just came up with a random time and place which never existed. This did not engage at all with a historical Ireland or England. Typically, in an Arthurian story, this is fine. King Arthur has only a tenuous foundation as a Christian king in the style of other English monarchs, and PLENTY of takes on the tale embrace the pagan aspects of England at the time. Christianity's foothold in England wasn't really all-encompassing until 600, so there's room to play. This novel, therefore, could have worked with Celtic animism, druids, Anglo-Saxon polytheism, or some of the more folklore-based beliefs of the ancient Britons. And since these are not perfectly documented, there's still room to invent. This author didn't do that; she came up with a religion and philosophy for Ireland which, as far as I can tell, is just completely baseless. And I wouldn't mind this if it was good. But it's cliche and underdeveloped. And if I had to read the words "Goddess, Mother, help me" ONE MORE TIME, I was going to lose it. We don't know excessive amounts about religion in Ireland before Christianity, but we know it was polytheistic, and not this. Just making stuff up seems like a wild choice if you're not even going to do a good job. And the idea that all of Ireland was unified in a monotheistic, matriarchal, peaceful sect of paganism is a little silly. You didn't have to make it Christian at this point! But engage with the folk beliefs which WERE present. She also presents Western England as entirely unified Christians here, when in reality this would be VERY early church days.
Finally, the real problem is that this narrative lacks any complexity whatsoever. Tristan and Isolde is a very old story. But this means it is malleable. She could have done something interesting. She could have delved into complex character work, investigated modern conceptions of chivalry, deconstruct assumptions about knights and princesses, instead this is a play by play. Rather a waste of time of a book. Read only if you are completely new to Tristan and Isolde as a legend and don't have a particularly high reading level so want something easy.
What this really came down to was the quality of the prose, the lack of engagement with setting, and the complexity of the narrative.
The prose was underwritten, repetitive, and ordinary. It lacked any subtly or lyricism, or really any show of skill. This is prose anyone could write as long as they were competent with the language and familiar with some of the style of Arthurian lore. It repeated itself CONSTANTLY, overused exclamations, and had no sense of tension. Characters are at the utmost emotional level in every scene. There is no building of feeling or nuance to how they feel. It is plastered across the page. The author also failed to choose an interesting framing device for the story, opting for the Frank Herbert school of omniscient third person narration which WAY TOO OFTEN switches to italics inner monologue of our characters. This monologue is also insufferable to read, as it translates directly what Tristan or Isolde thinks in every moment in ways the average reader could easily predict. Furthermore, the dialogue failed to sound authentic even for something ostensibly supposed to be in roughly 500 AD.
And for it being in 500 AD, you'd think the author just came up with a random time and place which never existed. This did not engage at all with a historical Ireland or England. Typically, in an Arthurian story, this is fine. King Arthur has only a tenuous foundation as a Christian king in the style of other English monarchs, and PLENTY of takes on the tale embrace the pagan aspects of England at the time. Christianity's foothold in England wasn't really all-encompassing until 600, so there's room to play. This novel, therefore, could have worked with Celtic animism, druids, Anglo-Saxon polytheism, or some of the more folklore-based beliefs of the ancient Britons. And since these are not perfectly documented, there's still room to invent. This author didn't do that; she came up with a religion and philosophy for Ireland which, as far as I can tell, is just completely baseless. And I wouldn't mind this if it was good. But it's cliche and underdeveloped. And if I had to read the words "Goddess, Mother, help me" ONE MORE TIME, I was going to lose it. We don't know excessive amounts about religion in Ireland before Christianity, but we know it was polytheistic, and not this. Just making stuff up seems like a wild choice if you're not even going to do a good job. And the idea that all of Ireland was unified in a monotheistic, matriarchal, peaceful sect of paganism is a little silly. You didn't have to make it Christian at this point! But engage with the folk beliefs which WERE present. She also presents Western England as entirely unified Christians here, when in reality this would be VERY early church days.
Finally, the real problem is that this narrative lacks any complexity whatsoever. Tristan and Isolde is a very old story. But this means it is malleable. She could have done something interesting. She could have delved into complex character work, investigated modern conceptions of chivalry, deconstruct assumptions about knights and princesses, instead this is a play by play. Rather a waste of time of a book. Read only if you are completely new to Tristan and Isolde as a legend and don't have a particularly high reading level so want something easy.
June 24, 2025
A review of Tristão e Isolda by Anónimo (Europa América, 2006 edition — featuring James Franco on the cover) Portuguese Language
The book itself? A fine, classic retelling of the medieval legend. It’s poetic, tragic, and does justice to the timeless story of two lovers bound by fate and torn by duty. I appreciated the historical weight and simplicity of this version. Nothing too complex, just the core of the tale.
But what turned this experience into something unforgettable wasn’t the text itself.
It was the face on the cover.
It was James Franco.
Because that film — Tristan & Isolde (2006) — delivered one of the best romantic and dramatic performances I’ve ever seen in cinema.
Franco’s Tristan didn’t just speak love. He ached it.
His eyes alone told more story than pages of script
His body language — controlled, aching, pulled in every direction
He wasn’t just acting
He was bleeding for that role
There’s something so gut-wrenchingly beautiful about how he portrayed the internal battle between honor and desire, loyalty and love. Especially in those scenes where he watches Isolde with King Mark — the envy simmering just beneath the surface, like he’s holding back a scream the entire time.
He didn’t play a fairytale knight. He became a wounded, yearning, beautifully broken man caught in the worst kind of love — the impossible kind.
So yes, the book was good.
But the film? The feeling Franco left behind? That’s what stayed with me.
If you’ve seen his performance, you’ll understand. If not… maybe don’t start this book with just the legend in mind. Start it with his eyes.
The book itself? A fine, classic retelling of the medieval legend. It’s poetic, tragic, and does justice to the timeless story of two lovers bound by fate and torn by duty. I appreciated the historical weight and simplicity of this version. Nothing too complex, just the core of the tale.
But what turned this experience into something unforgettable wasn’t the text itself.
It was the face on the cover.
It was James Franco.
Because that film — Tristan & Isolde (2006) — delivered one of the best romantic and dramatic performances I’ve ever seen in cinema.
Franco’s Tristan didn’t just speak love. He ached it.
His eyes alone told more story than pages of script
His body language — controlled, aching, pulled in every direction
He wasn’t just acting
He was bleeding for that role
There’s something so gut-wrenchingly beautiful about how he portrayed the internal battle between honor and desire, loyalty and love. Especially in those scenes where he watches Isolde with King Mark — the envy simmering just beneath the surface, like he’s holding back a scream the entire time.
He didn’t play a fairytale knight. He became a wounded, yearning, beautifully broken man caught in the worst kind of love — the impossible kind.
So yes, the book was good.
But the film? The feeling Franco left behind? That’s what stayed with me.
If you’ve seen his performance, you’ll understand. If not… maybe don’t start this book with just the legend in mind. Start it with his eyes.
September 29, 2025
It seems like I would have liked this more when I was younger. Oh well, for now I unfolded some dogeared pages throughout the novel, which pleased me enough. The Tristan and Isolde music is very difficult for my instrument. (I play oboe/English horn.) Now, though, I can read the second one in the series, which pleases me! It is called The Maid of the White Hands.
I always like family charts in the beginning of stories, and maps, to put where the story is in perspective. It has a handy list of the characters in the back, too. I have neglected to keep my character list for my own stories, upon occasion, so that makes me like this author more.
Maybe it will make you like it, too.
I always like family charts in the beginning of stories, and maps, to put where the story is in perspective. It has a handy list of the characters in the back, too. I have neglected to keep my character list for my own stories, upon occasion, so that makes me like this author more.
Maybe it will make you like it, too.
September 25, 2018
It wasn't awful. But I did dislike a lot of things about it: the purple prose, the equating of good with beautiful, the meandering plot and numerous side-plots. I could have liked the Christians vs. Goddess-worshipers, but the depiction of the Goddess people was so unrealistic, so much more an overly-idealized New Age kind of version of what a goddess religion might be like. There was no subtlety to it -- characters either believe that every woman is a goddess and a queen (real quote, or close to) or that all women are witches. And this was supposed to show the purest, truest love possible between Isolde and Tristan, and instead they doubted each other at every flimsiest excuse, even after drinking a potion that would ensure their love forever! Some love.
April 14, 2020
This book was fine. I read this because I was surprised at how much I liked Daughter of Albion by Ilka Tampke and thought this would be similar. I came for the Irish mythology and found too much of a love story. I guess given that Tristan and Isolde is one of the most timeless love stories of all time, I should have been more aware that that is what this was going to be about. I think there was a missed opportunity in the introduction of a Christian priest who hates women and is seeking to turn those who worship the goddess into Christians. I would have loved to see more development of that conflict. I would suspect that those who go into this more prepared for a love story will be happier than I was.
April 2, 2018
I didn't dislike this book, I just found myself feeling forced to finish it. Tristan and Isolde has always fascinated me and I was excited to read this retelling. However, I think that I would have preferred to just stick to the Morte d'Arthur version because at least it was a historical rendition. This is a very "true to style" retelling- it reads like a drawn out version of the original. The writing was beautifully done, but it just felt like an extra long original. It's about 320 pages but the story could have easily been told in 200. I'm also not sure how this will be continued for a series, but I will probably check out the sequel eventually.
February 20, 2021
Probably not intended for my demographic. The point of view is very pro pagan, pro feminist and very antagonistic towards christianity.
The story also deviates quite a bit from more familiar tellings of the legend. It goes a full book and a half past where the story normally ends.
I have no problem reading pagan stories, but the juxtaposition of pagan + women = good and christianity + men = bad made these books frustrating to read. I get that the medieval church had plenty of sins to account for, but all of this was too much for me.
No judgement to anyone who enjoyed these, but I would have passed on these if I was aware of the authors biases.
The story also deviates quite a bit from more familiar tellings of the legend. It goes a full book and a half past where the story normally ends.
I have no problem reading pagan stories, but the juxtaposition of pagan + women = good and christianity + men = bad made these books frustrating to read. I get that the medieval church had plenty of sins to account for, but all of this was too much for me.
No judgement to anyone who enjoyed these, but I would have passed on these if I was aware of the authors biases.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2018
I actually did not finish this book. It didn't entice me or draw me in, and I found myself having to force myself to read the pages I did. The biggest chunk of my reading came during a short flight, and even with such focus, it still offered little in the way of compelling page turning. I have too many books on my shelf waiting to be read than to waste my time on one that just doesn't resonate with me.
September 10, 2020
I've always liked stories of Arthurian legends and based around Avalon, the Goddess etc. This is set during the same time period about this time focusing on Isolde and Tristan. I did get frustrated with the set of circumstances that kept pushing them apart. Sometimes ridiculously and you could predict the consequences, for example the cordial that was meant for Mark and Isolde you just knew it would get drunk by Tristan and Isolde instead.
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