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The Squire's Tales #4
Parsifal's Page
Piers is desperate to become a page to escape the dirty, tedious labor of his father’s blacksmith shop. So when a knight arrives announcing that he’s on “the quest,” Piers begs to go along. Off on a series of adventures he never dreamed possible, Piers and the knight quickly run into difficulties. The knight is slain by Parsifal who is on a quest of his own.
Parsifal is unlike anyone Piers has ever met. He doesn’t behave “knightly” at all. Slowly, Piers realizes that being a knight has nothing to do with shining armor and winning jousts. And, as their journey continues, they find that to achieve their quest they must learn more than knighthood: they must learn about themselves.
The tale of Parsifal has been told more than that of any other knight, but no one has ever told his story quite like Gerald Morris does in his fourth Arthurian novel, another tour de force of humor, action, magic, and, as always, true love.
Parsifal is unlike anyone Piers has ever met. He doesn’t behave “knightly” at all. Slowly, Piers realizes that being a knight has nothing to do with shining armor and winning jousts. And, as their journey continues, they find that to achieve their quest they must learn more than knighthood: they must learn about themselves.
The tale of Parsifal has been told more than that of any other knight, but no one has ever told his story quite like Gerald Morris does in his fourth Arthurian novel, another tour de force of humor, action, magic, and, as always, true love.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
29 people are currently reading
925 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Morris
25 books495 followersGerald Morris is an award-winning author, best known for his retellings of Arthurian legends for preteen and teen readers.
His first series, The Squire's Tales, focuses primarily on a squire named Terence, alongside his knight, Sir Gawain. The ten-book series began with The Squire's Tale, first published in 1998.
His second series, The Knights' Tales, is for younger readers and began with The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great, published in 2008, followed by The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short in the same year.
Morris was born in Riverside, California in 1963, the son of Russell A. Morris. He was educated at the Oklahoma Baptist University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Rebecca Hughes, has 3 children, and now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin. He also lived for a short time in Oklahoma. Apart from writing, Morris teaches theology and serves as a pastor for church.
His first series, The Squire's Tales, focuses primarily on a squire named Terence, alongside his knight, Sir Gawain. The ten-book series began with The Squire's Tale, first published in 1998.
His second series, The Knights' Tales, is for younger readers and began with The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great, published in 2008, followed by The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short in the same year.
Morris was born in Riverside, California in 1963, the son of Russell A. Morris. He was educated at the Oklahoma Baptist University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Rebecca Hughes, has 3 children, and now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin. He also lived for a short time in Oklahoma. Apart from writing, Morris teaches theology and serves as a pastor for church.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
January 17, 2014
In the fourth of at least ten books in a series based on Arthurian legends, Wisconsin-based author and Baptist minister Gerald Morris brings more than an impressive display of scholarship. He also brings a very evident love of one of the world's most enduring and powerful stories, a knack for making old tales new in a way that will appeal to younger readers, and a charm for blending timeless myths with original characters and story-lines that speak to the present moment. Believable touches of human emotion, sparkles of merriment, glimmers of faerie magic, a glow of mystery and mysticism, flashes of athletic violence, and flames of romantic passion light up the page and warm the reader's insides.
The central figure in this installment is known variously as Percival, Perceval, Parzival, and Parsifal. He has been the subject of books, films, and stage works galore, including Wagner's opera Parsifal and the 1991 film The Fisher King . In the book, as in the 13th century German version of the story that it primarily follows, Parsifal is a strong, socially backward commoner who dreams of becoming a knight of King Arthur's Round Table. Going off in search of great deeds to prove his worthiness to be a knight, he is joined by a young page named Piers (Morris' invention), who tries to smooth the edges off his master's rough upbringing. After learning gentlemanly conduct from one master and knightly martial arts from another (who turns out to be Lancelot in disguise), Parsifal defeats several recreant knights in combat and wins the hand of a beautiful lady. But it all seems too easy. Unsatisfied, he leaves his wife in search of a truly great deed... and when he finds one, he blows it.
The great deed that Parsifal is fated to do, involves a fisherman king and a wounded king. In some versions of the tale (so Morris tells us in his typically informative Afterword) these are two different characters, and sometimes (but not always) at least one of him is named Anfortas. Anfortas lives in a castle somewhere beyond the border between the realms of man and of faerie, a castle whose location is only revealed to very select people, a castle renowned for its possession of a certain grail.
But the grail isn't the important thing in this story. The important thing is Anfortas' wound: a painful wound that will not heal, and that afflicts not only the fisher king but his people and his lands. Parsifal has a chance to heal this mournful malady. All he has to do is ask the right question at the right time. But because the very correct Piers (among others) has drilled into Parsifal's head an inhibition against asking personal questions, Parsifal misses his chance. And all his happiness and hunger for glory turn to dust.
But this is only the beginning of an adventure in which, for a time, Piers becomes the companion of Sir Gawain. While Piers learns some lessons that will serve him and Parsifal better in the future, he and Gawain also encounter their own strange adventures—ones that will eventually lead back to the Grail Castle and the touching resolution of Parsifal's quest.
Gerald Morris has a strong reputation as a storyteller. He hardly needs me to sing his praises. When I mentioned this book, among several others, in a Facebook status listing the books I had borrowed from the library, I instantly heard back from people who love Morris' work. None of this will be news to them, but if it's news to you, put a bookmark in one of his books today. The next book after this in the Squire's Tales series is The Ballad of Sir Dinadan. The tenth and latest book in the series, The Legend of the King, came out in 2010. His work also includes four chapter books (so far) in the Knight's Tales sequence, appealing to an even younger set of readers than this series. See The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great for starters.
The central figure in this installment is known variously as Percival, Perceval, Parzival, and Parsifal. He has been the subject of books, films, and stage works galore, including Wagner's opera Parsifal and the 1991 film The Fisher King . In the book, as in the 13th century German version of the story that it primarily follows, Parsifal is a strong, socially backward commoner who dreams of becoming a knight of King Arthur's Round Table. Going off in search of great deeds to prove his worthiness to be a knight, he is joined by a young page named Piers (Morris' invention), who tries to smooth the edges off his master's rough upbringing. After learning gentlemanly conduct from one master and knightly martial arts from another (who turns out to be Lancelot in disguise), Parsifal defeats several recreant knights in combat and wins the hand of a beautiful lady. But it all seems too easy. Unsatisfied, he leaves his wife in search of a truly great deed... and when he finds one, he blows it.
The great deed that Parsifal is fated to do, involves a fisherman king and a wounded king. In some versions of the tale (so Morris tells us in his typically informative Afterword) these are two different characters, and sometimes (but not always) at least one of him is named Anfortas. Anfortas lives in a castle somewhere beyond the border between the realms of man and of faerie, a castle whose location is only revealed to very select people, a castle renowned for its possession of a certain grail.
But the grail isn't the important thing in this story. The important thing is Anfortas' wound: a painful wound that will not heal, and that afflicts not only the fisher king but his people and his lands. Parsifal has a chance to heal this mournful malady. All he has to do is ask the right question at the right time. But because the very correct Piers (among others) has drilled into Parsifal's head an inhibition against asking personal questions, Parsifal misses his chance. And all his happiness and hunger for glory turn to dust.
But this is only the beginning of an adventure in which, for a time, Piers becomes the companion of Sir Gawain. While Piers learns some lessons that will serve him and Parsifal better in the future, he and Gawain also encounter their own strange adventures—ones that will eventually lead back to the Grail Castle and the touching resolution of Parsifal's quest.
Gerald Morris has a strong reputation as a storyteller. He hardly needs me to sing his praises. When I mentioned this book, among several others, in a Facebook status listing the books I had borrowed from the library, I instantly heard back from people who love Morris' work. None of this will be news to them, but if it's news to you, put a bookmark in one of his books today. The next book after this in the Squire's Tales series is The Ballad of Sir Dinadan. The tenth and latest book in the series, The Legend of the King, came out in 2010. His work also includes four chapter books (so far) in the Knight's Tales sequence, appealing to an even younger set of readers than this series. See The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great for starters.
March 21, 2021
Ooooooh. I remember this one. It’s poignant from the get-go, so the tone is a little different, and it centers on a more unlikely quest - does Piers even realize he’s questing? This is so clever and fun and subversive; it questions the order in which things happen and what’s really important. And it involves Kai in maybe one of the funniest subplots so far.
Can’t say I love the Shakespeare anachronisms, though: first Puck, now Ariel. Ehhhhh.
Can’t say I love the Shakespeare anachronisms, though: first Puck, now Ariel. Ehhhhh.
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February 11, 2024I don't love Wolfram von Eschenbach's PARZIVAL - the anonymous French QUEST OF THE GRAIL is more my speed - so Morris had uphill work to make me like his take on Eschenbach. The book is ultimately successful, with plenty of fun as the protagonist spends much of the book with Gawain, who is Morris' best character; and a lovely bit of eucatastrophe at the end as Parsifal and Piers set right what went wrong the first time at the Fisher King's castle.
I do find myself a little impatient with Morris' ideas of masculinity in this book, which seem far more mid twentieth century than medieval. Affectionate ribbing of medievalism is expected in these stories and often very successful, but this book seemed occasionally to trip over the fine line between affectionate ribbing and plain inability to understand or sympathise with the medieval perspective. Otherwise lots of good fun.
I do find myself a little impatient with Morris' ideas of masculinity in this book, which seem far more mid twentieth century than medieval. Affectionate ribbing of medievalism is expected in these stories and often very successful, but this book seemed occasionally to trip over the fine line between affectionate ribbing and plain inability to understand or sympathise with the medieval perspective. Otherwise lots of good fun.
March 11, 2014
Gerald Morris is one of my very favorite authors. He regularly impresses me with his wit and ability to tell a really good story.
Parsifal is just an odd way to spell Percival, I guess. I probably would have read that name more smoothely if I had known that before reading the Author's Note, which of course is at the end of the book. Oh, read the Author's Note, I got a few chuckles in the course of 2 minutes.
So:
Likes
*The Author's Note. As I stated above, you might enjoy it.
*The funny approach to love. Sir Kai has to break an arm and a leg, and Parsifal has to admit to having no feelings at all for Lady Connoire before Kai declares his love for Lady Connoire. But Parsifal and his love are married early on in the book, because why not?
*Terence will forever be my favorite character, even if he's a minor character in this book.
*Gile's role in the story took me by surprise, and I was happy that things came full-circle.
Dislikes:
*My only complaint about this book is that Parsifal is awfully scary when he's bitter.
*I might as well add that while I *did* enjoy Parsifal's Page, it's not among Morris's best. (Still 5 stars from a tough rater, though!)
Parsifal is just an odd way to spell Percival, I guess. I probably would have read that name more smoothely if I had known that before reading the Author's Note, which of course is at the end of the book. Oh, read the Author's Note, I got a few chuckles in the course of 2 minutes.
So:
Likes
*The Author's Note. As I stated above, you might enjoy it.
*The funny approach to love. Sir Kai has to break an arm and a leg, and Parsifal has to admit to having no feelings at all for Lady Connoire before Kai declares his love for Lady Connoire. But Parsifal and his love are married early on in the book, because why not?
*Terence will forever be my favorite character, even if he's a minor character in this book.
*Gile's role in the story took me by surprise, and I was happy that things came full-circle.
Dislikes:
*My only complaint about this book is that Parsifal is awfully scary when he's bitter.
*I might as well add that while I *did* enjoy Parsifal's Page, it's not among Morris's best. (Still 5 stars from a tough rater, though!)
June 9, 2012
Like the rest of the series, Parsifal's Page is light and fun. It's also actually a treatment of Parsifal that I don't hate on principle, and that's rare for me. I didn't like him much at first, but I did get to like his character, or at least almost to like his character. I appreciate the way Gerald Morris handles all of the knights -- he sort of assumes good faith in all their deeds, even when in Malory they were shocking and terrible. (It occurs to me that he might make a good lawyer or PR agent, with his way of spinning things.)
The bits about Kai were excellent. I won't spoiler, but I liked his appearances in this book even though the portrayal of Kay during the Percival story is usually one of his lowest moments. And Lancelot, who I also usually detest on principle, was also likeable. I wonder whether he's going to come back into things, and how. I'm looking forward to finding out.
The bits about Kai were excellent. I won't spoiler, but I liked his appearances in this book even though the portrayal of Kay during the Percival story is usually one of his lowest moments. And Lancelot, who I also usually detest on principle, was also likeable. I wonder whether he's going to come back into things, and how. I'm looking forward to finding out.
February 24, 2014
I can't quite put my finger on exactly the criteria I use to judge between whether a book is worthy of four or five stars, but I do know that there's something very important that makes the difference. Parsifa's Page has that something. That something that evokes a response from deep within me. It doesn't even really matter what the particular emotion is, whether sorrow, elation, or gratitude; what matters is that it is not superficial, but profound.
I think what really got to me about this books were the particular lessons the characters learned. I suppose this book resonated with me because many of these lessons are meaningful to me and essential for contentment and fulfilled living. I am also very fond of high things, and Piers's connection with many great characters of the Other World was appealing to me.
Of course, Morris's books have always appealed to me because of their light, witty style and his clever treatment of some of the great Arthurian tales.
I think what really got to me about this books were the particular lessons the characters learned. I suppose this book resonated with me because many of these lessons are meaningful to me and essential for contentment and fulfilled living. I am also very fond of high things, and Piers's connection with many great characters of the Other World was appealing to me.
Of course, Morris's books have always appealed to me because of their light, witty style and his clever treatment of some of the great Arthurian tales.
September 11, 2021
This was one of Morris's retelling of the Arthurian legends. He has written a series of such books, each tackling a different Arthurian tale. All the books target middle-grade kids (I think), and I'm far beyond that tender age. So for me, this book - the story of the knight Percival - seemed a bit simplistic. Besides, the logic of the plot makes as much sense as the original myth does, which is to say not much. But despite the simplicity and the general absurdity of the story, the characters are almost alive and deeply sympathetic. The protagonist Piers is a twelve-year-old boy who yarns to escape his father's smithy for the life of a knight's page. His adventures on the road to maturity provided me with a few hours of a surprisingly pleasant reading diversion. The abundance of bloody fights didn't feel at all brutal or gritty. It felt like a routine pattern. Such a cavalier attitude reflected the reality of the Middle Ages, when death walked hand in hand with life, and the mortality rates were truly overwhelming. Sort of: yeah, it happens, deal with it. So I dealt with it and kept reading.
Overall: nice if a tad naive.
Overall: nice if a tad naive.
May 8, 2012
In most Arthurian retellings, the character Parsifal (Percival, in most versions), is a minor satellite character. In Parsifal's Page, he is brought to into the spotlight as this book follows the story of his well-meaning, but often misguided and naïve page.
While this book was very entertaining and I enjoyed watching Piers' journey as he discovers that knighthood and chivalry aren't quite as romantic as his French noblewoman mother made it out to be, I preferred the more relaxed, wise voice of Terence in the earlier books. While Terence and Gawain are both in this book and play large roles, they are not present for the entire story.
Even though I enjoyed this book immensely and my mother and brothers did, too, the earlier books are still my favorite. Nonetheless, I recommend this book to all fantasy, MG, and Arthurian lore fanatics.
While this book was very entertaining and I enjoyed watching Piers' journey as he discovers that knighthood and chivalry aren't quite as romantic as his French noblewoman mother made it out to be, I preferred the more relaxed, wise voice of Terence in the earlier books. While Terence and Gawain are both in this book and play large roles, they are not present for the entire story.
Even though I enjoyed this book immensely and my mother and brothers did, too, the earlier books are still my favorite. Nonetheless, I recommend this book to all fantasy, MG, and Arthurian lore fanatics.
April 6, 2019
An old, old favorite from circa 2004, the children's section in the Eaton library, reread the middle of the night because when you're a grownup no one can make you go to sleep.
March 10, 2025
I was dreading getting to this one, because I remembered I was not the biggest fan. I don't know what it is about this story, but it just was not that engaging to me. Perhaps the main character just really being wooden and full of nothing? Although he is an 11 year old so what else should I expect. I guess with how Terrance is written in the first two, it leaves you wanting. But we can't all be Terrance.
I also am recognizing the patter Morris has in his books. You sort of have your big main adventure until 90% of the book is over, and then the last 10% all the sudden the second, bigger thing you didn't know about happens. Often it's that second thing that is most memorable for me. A fun add on.
What I liked most about this book were the cameos and revisiting of already met characters. Which again makes me feel like this books is just a bit of a miss for me.
I also am recognizing the patter Morris has in his books. You sort of have your big main adventure until 90% of the book is over, and then the last 10% all the sudden the second, bigger thing you didn't know about happens. Often it's that second thing that is most memorable for me. A fun add on.
What I liked most about this book were the cameos and revisiting of already met characters. Which again makes me feel like this books is just a bit of a miss for me.
February 9, 2021
The first three books were better, but still, 5 stars. My heart is full.
June 28, 2013
This is brilliance.
Gerald Morris has shown everyone the side of the knight's story that has never been seen before. This was definitely a side that needed to be shown, and it was awesome.
There are so many people that are questing to be knights. Changing their names, getting fine and fancy manners, and dreaming of glory. This is the side we need to see. The one that doesn't always reflect glory, and the one of the off-duty knight.
It's about what's behind a mask. What's behind a duty to protect the people and the King. Sir Kai was wonderful. I definitely loved that bit. It's about dropping the facade and caring about your family.
I'm not sure how much I can say without this all being spoilery. It's so important the decision that they make in the end.
Before I realized the point of it all I was getting a little bored. However I love how it turned out in the end.
It's also important the choices that one makes, and how they affect others.
This was very, very beautiful.
Plus it had one of the best author's notes of all time.
Gerald Morris has shown everyone the side of the knight's story that has never been seen before. This was definitely a side that needed to be shown, and it was awesome.
There are so many people that are questing to be knights. Changing their names, getting fine and fancy manners, and dreaming of glory. This is the side we need to see. The one that doesn't always reflect glory, and the one of the off-duty knight.
It's about what's behind a mask. What's behind a duty to protect the people and the King. Sir Kai was wonderful. I definitely loved that bit. It's about dropping the facade and caring about your family.
I'm not sure how much I can say without this all being spoilery. It's so important the decision that they make in the end.
Before I realized the point of it all I was getting a little bored. However I love how it turned out in the end.
It's also important the choices that one makes, and how they affect others.
This was very, very beautiful.
Plus it had one of the best author's notes of all time.
February 17, 2022
Superb! This was another compelling retelling of the Arthurian-era hero Parsifal (sometimes spelled Percival, etc.). Author Gerald Morris weaves a likable cast of characters into a beautiful story of questing, pursuing glory, and finding what truly great deeds are. This was another excellent episode in what has quickly become one of my all-time favorite serieses. The backstory of side characters is helpful, but I suspect it would also read quite well as a stand-alone tale. I am seriously considering rereading it immediately - highly recommended!
August 8, 2024
Possibly my favorite Morris book, a nonallegorical retelling of the story of the Fisher King. The way Morris tells a story as a story, with the characters as real people instead of allegories, gives the tale a depth it would otherwise lack. The deeper meanings are still there, but they're richer. Very moving.
March 7, 2024
Quotes:
"A few of the knights from inside the castle opened the castle gates and strolled out to watch. One was munching on some bread and cheese.
"You know, lads," the knight said between bites. "This is the best siege I've ever been part of."
Whatever you seize for yourself is worthless; only what is given you has value.
"A few of the knights from inside the castle opened the castle gates and strolled out to watch. One was munching on some bread and cheese.
"You know, lads," the knight said between bites. "This is the best siege I've ever been part of."
Whatever you seize for yourself is worthless; only what is given you has value.
December 3, 2012
I think I'm addicted to this series.
August 13, 2023
One of my big complaints so far has been the way that Morris picks some characters to just write as annoying caricatures—generally by making them obsessed with the "courtly love" tropes that he doesn't like, while the protagonists rolls their eyes and call them idiots. Here, it's the protagonist himself who's the foppish fanboy. Paradoxically, this fixes the problem, because Morris can't make Piers the main character without treating him like an actual person. The tone of this one is also a bit more serious and even grim at times, which makes the funny bits stronger without making the whole book overly silly.
This is an interesting one for me because, while I've read Le Morte D'Arthur and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, I only know the broad strokes of the Percival-centric stories. I can't say how good of an adaptation this is, but it stands quite well on its own. Parsifal is a fun character—sort of like Gareth in the last book, but again, without Morris' weird grudge—and it's interesting to see his development from cheerful weirdo to antihero and back again. Piers also has a basic but strong arc, and he makes a good contrast to Parsifal—they're immature in opposite ways.
Gawain and Terence are integrated into the story well, though it was a bit jarring when they suddenly take Parsifal's place in the second half of the book. To be fair, I think this is from the source material, as is the shift to more episodic adventures. It's not too bad, however, especially since the side-quests are actually pretty good rather than seeming like padding.
If there's one change I'm unsure of, it's . On the one hand, I see the symbolic potential there, and it works well for the character arc that Morris wants to tell. On the other hand, I actually would have liked to see a myth-accurate version of this character. Also, interpreting "" to mean "villain" is a bit problematic.
Overall, I really liked it. So far each book has been better than the last, and I hope that holds up...but the next book has Tristram in it, so we'll see.
This is an interesting one for me because, while I've read Le Morte D'Arthur and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, I only know the broad strokes of the Percival-centric stories. I can't say how good of an adaptation this is, but it stands quite well on its own. Parsifal is a fun character—sort of like Gareth in the last book, but again, without Morris' weird grudge—and it's interesting to see his development from cheerful weirdo to antihero and back again. Piers also has a basic but strong arc, and he makes a good contrast to Parsifal—they're immature in opposite ways.
Gawain and Terence are integrated into the story well, though it was a bit jarring when they suddenly take Parsifal's place in the second half of the book. To be fair, I think this is from the source material, as is the shift to more episodic adventures. It's not too bad, however, especially since the side-quests are actually pretty good rather than seeming like padding.
If there's one change I'm unsure of, it's . On the one hand, I see the symbolic potential there, and it works well for the character arc that Morris wants to tell. On the other hand, I actually would have liked to see a myth-accurate version of this character. Also, interpreting "" to mean "villain" is a bit problematic.
Overall, I really liked it. So far each book has been better than the last, and I hope that holds up...but the next book has Tristram in it, so we'll see.
December 23, 2021
Parsifal’s Page, the fourth entry in the Squire’s Tales series, sees young, ambitious Piers leave his humble family and seek glory with the first passing knight who will hire him on as a page. Piers has dreams of becoming a squire to a noble knight and living an exciting life at the court of Camelot. However, Piers plans suddenly take a turn when his knight is slain and he is hired by the odd, would-be knight Parsifal.
Parsifal doesn’t behave “knightly” at all, but Piers begins to realize that being a true knight has nothing to do with shiny armor or winning tournaments. As Piers and Parsifal are drawn into the mythic quest for the Holy Grail, they fall in with those from both the world of men and the faery realm. Through numerous adventures and some heartache, both Parsifal and Piers learn courage, honor, and humility.
Parsifal’s Page is an interesting entry into this series because it deconstructs the traditional quest story and focuses primarily on the idea of learning through failure. The author does an excellent job of developing Piers and Parsifal over the course of the story, while still weaving in characters from previous books and reimagined Arthurian legends. Gawain and Terence make a memorable appearance, the feud between Sir Kai and Lady Connoire is hilarious, and the characters from the faery realm are all whimsical and intriguing.
While the pacing of this book is a bit slower than the previous works in this series, it is still highly enjoyable. The author writes with great humor and imbues his vision of Arthurian England with magic, adventure, and heart.
Parsifal doesn’t behave “knightly” at all, but Piers begins to realize that being a true knight has nothing to do with shiny armor or winning tournaments. As Piers and Parsifal are drawn into the mythic quest for the Holy Grail, they fall in with those from both the world of men and the faery realm. Through numerous adventures and some heartache, both Parsifal and Piers learn courage, honor, and humility.
Parsifal’s Page is an interesting entry into this series because it deconstructs the traditional quest story and focuses primarily on the idea of learning through failure. The author does an excellent job of developing Piers and Parsifal over the course of the story, while still weaving in characters from previous books and reimagined Arthurian legends. Gawain and Terence make a memorable appearance, the feud between Sir Kai and Lady Connoire is hilarious, and the characters from the faery realm are all whimsical and intriguing.
While the pacing of this book is a bit slower than the previous works in this series, it is still highly enjoyable. The author writes with great humor and imbues his vision of Arthurian England with magic, adventure, and heart.
August 16, 2020
I got this for my 13YO because (1) He loved the Morris's "Knights' Tales" series for younger readers, and (2) Percival was his favorite knight in the Merlin series. It seemed like a sure thing, but it's just sat around for months. So I picked it up today and decided my son is definitely missing out. If this had been around when I was a kid, I would have read and re-read it and the rest of the series.
It doesn't have the condensed wit of the younger series, but Morris's dry humor shows through, like when two children naively speculate about why any man would ever want to enter an all-female castle. It flows well, and I liked the evolution of the characters without lengthy psychological explorations that would have scared my son off if the lack of pictures hadn't already done so. As a mom, I appreciated that the protagonists were reasonably decent people. I may yet succeed in getting my son to read this.
It doesn't have the condensed wit of the younger series, but Morris's dry humor shows through, like when two children naively speculate about why any man would ever want to enter an all-female castle. It flows well, and I liked the evolution of the characters without lengthy psychological explorations that would have scared my son off if the lack of pictures hadn't already done so. As a mom, I appreciated that the protagonists were reasonably decent people. I may yet succeed in getting my son to read this.
January 20, 2023
Eleven-year-old Piers is desperate for a life of grandeur far from his father's dirty blacksmith shop, so he jumps at the opportunity to be a page. He falls in with Parsifal, a young man hoping to become a knight, but the two could not be more opposite. While Piers is confident and cocky with high-minded ideals, Parsifal has been raised in the woods, a man of integrity but blunt and uncultured. Though they are fond of each other, they eventually go their separate ways. In the time afterwards, Piers becomes traveling companions with the legendary Sir Gawain. He learns about true chivalry and loyalty, and when he encounters Parsifal once more, he is better prepared to be a friend to him. Together the two set off to finish the quest they began.
This book is just as fun and engaging as the previous three. Though the main characters are new to Morris's Arthurian world, familiar characters such as Gawain, Terence, Arthur, Kai, Guinevere, Jean le Forestier, and Nimue make frequent appearances. I didn't feel as invested in Parsifal and Piers' relationship as Terence's. However, the book was possibly the best of all four at planting clues early on and referencing back to them in order to tie everything together in a coherent, satisfying story.
This book is just as fun and engaging as the previous three. Though the main characters are new to Morris's Arthurian world, familiar characters such as Gawain, Terence, Arthur, Kai, Guinevere, Jean le Forestier, and Nimue make frequent appearances. I didn't feel as invested in Parsifal and Piers' relationship as Terence's. However, the book was possibly the best of all four at planting clues early on and referencing back to them in order to tie everything together in a coherent, satisfying story.
July 3, 2023
Not my absolutele favourite of his, a lowish 4, but still better than a high 3. How limited I feel with only 5 points to the scale!
Regardless of each individual book, though, I'm increasingly loving this series. Morris isn't writing about a lowly squire and how he advances to become the greatest of King Arthur's knights, as one might assume. This series is really tackling large swathes of the Matter of Britain (the entire Arthurian legends), and since so many hands have touched this, from Monmouth to Malory to Chretien de Troyes, he has a lot of inspiration—this book apparently is based mostly on a Germanic retelling of the Percival story.
I'm glad there are ten books in the series, that seems like enough to treat a goodly number of tales. And once it's over, he may have inspired me to seek out some of the originals—I honestly had no idea what Percival's story was, which means I've missed a major opera, among other regrets.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
Regardless of each individual book, though, I'm increasingly loving this series. Morris isn't writing about a lowly squire and how he advances to become the greatest of King Arthur's knights, as one might assume. This series is really tackling large swathes of the Matter of Britain (the entire Arthurian legends), and since so many hands have touched this, from Monmouth to Malory to Chretien de Troyes, he has a lot of inspiration—this book apparently is based mostly on a Germanic retelling of the Percival story.
I'm glad there are ten books in the series, that seems like enough to treat a goodly number of tales. And once it's over, he may have inspired me to seek out some of the originals—I honestly had no idea what Percival's story was, which means I've missed a major opera, among other regrets.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
June 10, 2021
Parsifal's page follows the story of Parsifal and his quest to become a knight, then heal the Fisher King but is told from the point of view of his page.
Piers is bored. He doesn't want to be a blacksmith like his father. All he wants is to be a page for a great king like the ones in the stories his mother told him. He gets his chance when a knight stops to ask his father's help in repairing some armor. But that knight ends up wanting to overthrow Arthur! And then Parsifal kills that knight. But Parsifal isn't a knight and worst of all (to Piers at least), he has no idea of how a knight should behave.
Together Piers and Parsifal must examine their dreams and find out if childhood dreams really live up to reality.
Piers is bored. He doesn't want to be a blacksmith like his father. All he wants is to be a page for a great king like the ones in the stories his mother told him. He gets his chance when a knight stops to ask his father's help in repairing some armor. But that knight ends up wanting to overthrow Arthur! And then Parsifal kills that knight. But Parsifal isn't a knight and worst of all (to Piers at least), he has no idea of how a knight should behave.
Together Piers and Parsifal must examine their dreams and find out if childhood dreams really live up to reality.
July 25, 2017
Another delightful story, exactly as I expect from this series! It's like mac & cheese, hot cocoa, and a snugly blanket on a rainy day in book form, and always leaves me feeling good after reading.
In this entry, we have a not-so-typical knight and an aspiring page who get together as something of an "odd couple". They have some adventures, cross paths with some characters from prior books, learn a few secrets and valuable life lessons, and end up finding their true selves. While such stories can be rather trite, Mr. Morris always finds a way to tell a classic tale with his own fun twists and touch of humor.
In this entry, we have a not-so-typical knight and an aspiring page who get together as something of an "odd couple". They have some adventures, cross paths with some characters from prior books, learn a few secrets and valuable life lessons, and end up finding their true selves. While such stories can be rather trite, Mr. Morris always finds a way to tell a classic tale with his own fun twists and touch of humor.
September 5, 2023
This book is very good, I really liked the overarching theme of love and relationships. Piers is a sweet character and I think Parsifal is funny, their dynamic was good! I just wish I could have had it for longer before Parsifal went tracking off alone. As usual, the book got a lot better when Terence and Gawain pitched up, that part was my favourite! Oh and Sir Kai and his lady were great too. I did like it a lot, and it’s sentimental as in the series, but I found it the least page turning of the four I’ve read. The plot was a little too slow and all over the place for me.
August 17, 2020
Somehow I'd only read this one once before, which was a mistake because it is a goddamn delight. Easily the best after The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf. Gerald Morris is at his best when sticking close to and expanding one story/character from Arthuriana, and I think he also does well with a child protagonist: Piers's friendship/maybe-crush on Ariel is adorable and probably the most successful straight "romance" in the series.
Also, Parsifal is fucking hilarious, and I adore him.
Also, Parsifal is fucking hilarious, and I adore him.
July 8, 2024
2024 reread: I did not remember loving this title when I read it before. This is probably because Piers/Pierre starts out as a very misguided youth and is not particularly likeable. His transformation over the course of the book could definitely be counted as one of Parsifal's "great deeds". On this reading however I found myself more deeply invested in Parsifal's story which was incredibly touching.
March 2, 2025
I wrote more about this here, but the way Parsifal (or Perceval, or however you spell his name) manages to free the castle is so poignant. Morris has a knack for telling a traditional story from a nontraditional point-of-view, and Piers continued that tradition here, despite being a wee bit irritating here and there. Character arcs and all. :P
May 14, 2024
This is one of the ones that never really stayed on my radar, but it still has some incredible moments! It also unveils a lot of new lore for Morris's world and from classic Arthurian myth. I never found Parsifal particularly engaging in this one, and Piers is initially a bit annoying, but the way he matures throughout the story is very satisfying.
May 14, 2017
Piers and Parsifal's characters were very interesting and I loved the playfulness that such eccentric characters can evoke in a story. It wasn't the most engaging of the plots as Parsifal becomes quite two dimensional in the middle of the book and the story lags.
April 13, 2018
This one is a little more serious than some of the other titles in the series, but still some great lessons and thoughts, even if I do want to shake some sense into Piers for the first half of the book.
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