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Camelot: A Collection of Original Arthurian Stories
Ten stories by Anne McCaffrey, Nancy Springer, Terry Pratchett, Diana L. Paxson, and other masters of the fantasy genre capture the heroism, romance, and magic of Camelot, King Arthur, Merlin, and the knights of the Round Table.
Contents:
Welcome to Camelot / Jane Yolen --
The changing of the shrew / Kathleen Kudlinski --
Wild man / Diana L. Paxson --
Once and future / Terry Pratchett --
Gwenhwyfar / Lynne Pledger --
Excalibur / Anne E. Crompton --
Black horses for a king / Anne McCaffrey --
Holly and Ivy / James D. Macdonald and Debra Doyle --
The raven / Nancy Springer --
All the iron of heaven / Mark W. Tiedemann --
Amesbury song / Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple --
Our hour of need / Greg Costikyan.
Contents:
Welcome to Camelot / Jane Yolen --
The changing of the shrew / Kathleen Kudlinski --
Wild man / Diana L. Paxson --
Once and future / Terry Pratchett --
Gwenhwyfar / Lynne Pledger --
Excalibur / Anne E. Crompton --
Black horses for a king / Anne McCaffrey --
Holly and Ivy / James D. Macdonald and Debra Doyle --
The raven / Nancy Springer --
All the iron of heaven / Mark W. Tiedemann --
Amesbury song / Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple --
Our hour of need / Greg Costikyan.
198 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 1995
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121 people want to read
About the author
Jane Yolen
972 books3,237 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 13, 2021
The short version: Read this book if only to read the Pratchett and Springer stories - they are just THAT GOOD. The rest is a mixture of decent and disappointing.
A story by story analysis:
The Changing of the Shrew by Kathleen Kudlinski
-A sweet, forgettable story that would fit right in with The Once and Future King where Merlin transforms Arthur into various animals to teach him about the world.
Wild Man by Diana L Paxson
-Considering that Merlin is my favorite Arthurian character, I had high hopes for this one. It was fine, but unengaging to the extent that I thought about skipping it (it didn't help knowing that the Pratchett story is up next!)
One and Future by Terry Pratchett
BUY THE BOOK FOR THIS STORY ALONE. Pratchett is a brilliant, brilliant man. His Mervin is perfect - quirky and clever. This story is the best thing I've read in a while.
Gwenhwyfar by Lynne Pledger
Oh, the crazy Welsh spelling of Gwenever! A tale of Gwenever before she leaves the abbey for Camelot. A fair representation of women's role in many Arthurian stories. A criticism of the male-centric stories we are so used to, in the same vein as The Mists of Avalon (but without all the controversy around it).
Excalibur by Anne E Crompton
A unique glimpse at the story from the Lady of the Lake's perspective. How the next Lady of the Lake becomes the guardian of Excalibur and learns that she is to give Arthur the sword.
Black Horses for a King by Anne McCaffrey
A well-written story by an excellent author, but not one that was particularly engaging. It falls short after the previous three stories.
Holly and Ivey by James D Macdonald and Debra Doyle
A fun variation on Sir Gawain and the Green Night.
The Raven by Nancy Springer
Looks like this is the short story where Springer's, I Am Mordred (a fabulous middle grade book) started. The first paragraph is the same as the novel's and then there are some variations.
All the Iron of Heaven by Mark W Tiedemann
A decent read, but not memorable.
Amesbury Song by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
For a song that's only two pages of text, I couldn't do it. Yes, I bailed on a two page poem.
Our Hour of Need by Greg Costikyan
A group of kids on Cape Cod, D&D, JFK's Camelot, and the return of Arthur. Perfection.
A story by story analysis:
The Changing of the Shrew by Kathleen Kudlinski
-A sweet, forgettable story that would fit right in with The Once and Future King where Merlin transforms Arthur into various animals to teach him about the world.
Wild Man by Diana L Paxson
-Considering that Merlin is my favorite Arthurian character, I had high hopes for this one. It was fine, but unengaging to the extent that I thought about skipping it (it didn't help knowing that the Pratchett story is up next!)
One and Future by Terry Pratchett
BUY THE BOOK FOR THIS STORY ALONE. Pratchett is a brilliant, brilliant man. His Mervin is perfect - quirky and clever. This story is the best thing I've read in a while.
Gwenhwyfar by Lynne Pledger
Oh, the crazy Welsh spelling of Gwenever! A tale of Gwenever before she leaves the abbey for Camelot. A fair representation of women's role in many Arthurian stories. A criticism of the male-centric stories we are so used to, in the same vein as The Mists of Avalon (but without all the controversy around it).
Excalibur by Anne E Crompton
A unique glimpse at the story from the Lady of the Lake's perspective. How the next Lady of the Lake becomes the guardian of Excalibur and learns that she is to give Arthur the sword.
Black Horses for a King by Anne McCaffrey
A well-written story by an excellent author, but not one that was particularly engaging. It falls short after the previous three stories.
Holly and Ivey by James D Macdonald and Debra Doyle
A fun variation on Sir Gawain and the Green Night.
The Raven by Nancy Springer
Looks like this is the short story where Springer's, I Am Mordred (a fabulous middle grade book) started. The first paragraph is the same as the novel's and then there are some variations.
All the Iron of Heaven by Mark W Tiedemann
A decent read, but not memorable.
Amesbury Song by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
For a song that's only two pages of text, I couldn't do it. Yes, I bailed on a two page poem.
Our Hour of Need by Greg Costikyan
A group of kids on Cape Cod, D&D, JFK's Camelot, and the return of Arthur. Perfection.
February 23, 2020
Charming book, and so beautifully illustrated! "Once and Future" and "Holly and Ivy" were my two favorites. A few stories were a bit weird...but the nice thing about anthologies is that if you don't like one story, there's another by a totally different author waiting. Perfect reading for fans of the Arthurian!
Full review here: https://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2020/....
Full review here: https://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2020/....
May 28, 2019
Fun collection of stories with influence of King Arthur and Merlin. Nice spin offs with a modern or not so modern twist. Some take place for early days of Prince Arthur, while others are a totally different time and space.
January 6, 2016
So what if most of the details of King Arthur that we knew as children are terribly wrong? So what if there never was a true king by that name or knights riding steeds or a lady in a lake? Like the Dread Pirate Roberts or the legend of Hans Springfield, the stories of Arthur are as stirring as they ever were and exist as inspiration to anybody who ever dreamed of donning armor and fighting for the right or found themselves humming the music of Lerner and Loewe.
Here, several writers re-invent the Arthurian legend, positing imaginary scenarios from a young Arthur learning what it means to be predator and prey to the glorious return of one the world’s most noble leaders. There are illustrations as well, lovely and haunting. (I only desire that there were more of them.)
Usually in an anthology, I will have favorites, detest others or be left indifferent by a few. Here, I found myself liking all of the stories. The stories are all brilliantly written, with a keen eye for dialogue, setting, characters and scenario. Some made me smile or laugh. Others had me fighting the urge to weep.
Anyone with a taste for ancient Briton mythology, history or simply a rollicking good story will find something of interest in this collection.
Here, several writers re-invent the Arthurian legend, positing imaginary scenarios from a young Arthur learning what it means to be predator and prey to the glorious return of one the world’s most noble leaders. There are illustrations as well, lovely and haunting. (I only desire that there were more of them.)
Usually in an anthology, I will have favorites, detest others or be left indifferent by a few. Here, I found myself liking all of the stories. The stories are all brilliantly written, with a keen eye for dialogue, setting, characters and scenario. Some made me smile or laugh. Others had me fighting the urge to weep.
Anyone with a taste for ancient Briton mythology, history or simply a rollicking good story will find something of interest in this collection.
February 14, 2016
Lots of good stories. A good read for those who love tales of King Arthur.
August 30, 2015
Nice collection of stories. I enjoyed reading the different types of stories from the different authors.
April 13, 2016
i do not remember anything about this book, but i don't think i liked it.
May 11, 2012
One story didn't really make any sense and none of it was that great.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews