The Camelot Chronicles: Heroic Adventures from the Age of Legend

Arthurian Anthologies

by Mike Ashley (Editor)

After the runaway success of The Pendragon Chronicles, Mike Ashley brings together further stories of heroism and virtue from the age of the Knights of the Round Table, written by some of fantasy's bestselling authors, as well as famous names from literature.

Genres: Fantasy, Arthurian, Fiction, Anthologies, Adult, Historical Fiction, Short Stories

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Michael Raymond Donald Ashley is the author and editor of over sixty books that in total have sold over a million copies worldwide. He lives in Chatham, Kent.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find that in general, a collection of short stories, based on a theme, will have two or three stories that reach me somehow, with the majority of the stories being mostly forgetable. This collection is no exception.

I've read a fair amount of fiction and non-fiction about the Camelot myths for research on various projects, so when I saw this book for sale on a library book sale table, I knew that I would find it interesting. However, only three of the stories (out of seventeen) have stuck with me since reading it.

The stories I particularly enjoyed are: "Blueflow" by Don Wilcox ... the story of a painter with a bit of a magic touch, thanks to Merlin; "The Romance of Tristan and Iseult" by Hilaire Belloc...an immensely readable, tragic tale; and "The Sad Wizard" by John T. Aquino which had a twist that I was expecting.

With authors such as Jane Yolen, Darrell Schweitzer, Phylliz Ann Karr, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Pyle, and others represented here, I did expect to really like more than just these three. Though I should add that having only mentioned three doesn't mean the others were 'bad' -- they simply weren't as outstanding as the three I mention above.

An interesting collection. Very glad for the three stories that I really enjoyed, but wished more of the stories were of a better quality.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this is one of my favorite collections (though the cover was different, I have a lovely hardback of it). It has funny stories, serious ones, and what was most memorable was a short story about Arthur and Guinevere acting like adults and being cute, mostly. Rarely do I find fiction about the two of them that portrays them both in a positive light at the same time. I also remember a story about Mordred that was really really creepy and wonderful too.

It's YA aimed, so if you have a kid that you think would get into Arthurian Legend, get them this. Seriously. Does wonders.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great selection of Arthurian short stories. Some are serious, some are funny. Some are the traditional knights in shining armour, some more celtic. I liked all the stories except The True Story of Guenever, which didn't do it for me. Belloc's Tristan and Yseult was particularly enjoyable.

I'd actually read the book more than 20 years ago and forgot all about it.

[bluetyson]

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