Dragon Stone: A Tale of Arthur, Merlin, and Cabal

by John Conlee

The Dragon Stone-A Tale of Arthur, Merlin & Cabal, is the medievel story of King Arthur, narrated by his faithful dog, Cabal. The author combines several of his chief enthusiasms--his preoccupation with the Middle Ages, his fascination with the story of Arthur, and his love and respect for dogs. Cabal, one of the story's central figures, originates in the numerous references to King Arthur's dog that are found in some of the earliest surviving examples of Arthurian literature. Unfortunatly, Cabal - in contrast to Merlin and the Lady of the Lake, or Excalibur and the Holy Grail, has been largely forgotton. If every dog must have his day, as the old saying goes, then it is high time that Cabal, King Arthur's valiant (and verbal)dog, should have his. The Dragon Stone is intended for readers aged 10-14. But the novel is entirely appropriate for any reader who loves the story of King Arthur, or who shares the author's deep affection for dogs, or who may still feel just a little bit young at heart.

177 pages

First published June 1, 2001

Reviews

[Amy Oates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m surprised to see The Dragon Stone rated so low! This feels like a book written for adults who love Arthurian legend with a children’s book tone, and I enjoyed that take. It’s not deep, but it is very fun and well researched, and I recommend the book on that alone.

I’m not as familiar with Arthur having a dog in the legends, but Cabal is a fun narrator and I liked him as an entry point into the world. This was an innovative take on the sword in the stone legend and well worth the read.