Gilliam, Richard, Greenberg, Martin H., Kramer, Edward E., eds. Grails: quests of the dawn.Penguin Putnam, Roc. 388p. c2004. 0-451-45964-4. $6.99. SA The cover of this hefty paperback promises "25 Stories of That Most Magical Vessel," and one can't help wonder how there could be that many variations on the theme of the Holy Grail. By the end, one wonders how many more there could be. Remarkably, each author has a different take on the story, from the dramatic interpretation of the story of "The Feast of the Fisher King Fisher King guardian of the Grail. [Ger. Legend, Parzival; Arthurian Legend: Walsh Classical, 227] See : Guardianship Fisher King old, maimed king whose restoration symbolizes the return of spring vegetation. " by Diana L. Paxson Diana L. Paxson (born 1943) is a writer, primarily of fantasy and historical fiction novels, short stories and non-fiction about pagan and heathen religion and practice. In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. to the delightful tongue-in-cheek banality of Nell Gaiman's "Chivalry chivalry (shĭv`əlrē), system of ethical ideals that arose from feudalism and had its highest development in the 12th and 13th cent. ." Certainly the stories vary in quality or appeal, although overall, they are consistently well written, and there is certainly something here to please any taste. An afterword af·ter·word n. See epilogue. by Fritz Leiber
Fritz Reuter Leiber Jr. (December 24, 1910–September 5, 1992) was an influential American writer of fantasy, horror and science fiction. caps the collection beautifully. The only thing missing is the customary information on the authors, particularly the authors who are less well known, but otherwise, this anthology is a worthy and welcome addition to the shelves. Donna Scanlon, Children's Libn., County Lib., Lancaster, PA |
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