Book: The Crystal Cave
Author: Mary Stewart
Ratings: 10/10
Short Description: An Arthurian legend from the point of view of Merlin.
This book is a part of a three book series -
The Crystal Cave
The Hollow Hills
The Last Enchantment
Some time earlier, I had wanted to read some stories about Arthurian Legend and the only one I could find was the Merlin-Trilogy by Mary Stewart. Although, I wanted something which put more focus on Arthur than on Merlin, I came to love this book quite soon, even though Arthur isn’t even born in this part.
The book, as I said, involves the birth of Merlin, as Myrddin Emrys an ilegitimate child of the Princess of Wales and the extremely pitiable life that he lead in his Grandfather’s house till he finds Galapas who helps him harness his skills, ie, foreseeing future.
The book is written in the first person from Merlin’s point of view. In this book, Merlin isn’t the sort of person you’d expect him to be. He’s a completely normal human being who goes through all the same emotions that you or I would in his place. The only thing not normal about him was his ability to figure things which hadn’t happened by then. His mother had not revealed to anyone who his true father was and this never troubled him at all even when people rudely called him the Devil’s Son.
’’The Gods only go with you, if you put yourself in their path. And that takes courage.’’
When he was only 12, his grandfather, the King of Wales died in an accident and his cruel uncle sent Merlin’s mother to St Peter’s nunnery (she wished to go) and would have killed Merlin, if he hadn’t escaped following Galapas’ advice. So before long he finds himself in a ship on way to Less Britain, where Ambroisius, Britain’s true King had taken refuge after being overthrown by Vortigern.
’’So you came ashore on your own in the middle of a winter’s night in a strange country and the gods threw you straight at my fee. You and your god between you, Myrddin, make a pretty powerful combination.’’
By the unfolding of circumtances in a strange manner, Merlin straightaway reaches the castle of Ambroisius and escapaing the wrath of his brother Uther, he finds Ambroisius to be a very kind hearted fellow who treats him like a prince in his own castle.
’’I thought once that I was better than other boys because there were so many of their fears I couldn’t share or understand. I had others of my own, of course, but I learned to keep them to myself. I suppose that was kind of a pride. But now I am beginning to understand why, even when danger and death lie openly waiting in the path, I can walk straight by them... Because they are not for me. I have feared for other men, but never in that way for myself. Not yet... There are times when I know what is hidden and waiting... I see it lying straight in the pathway... and I know that death is not yet to come, so I am not afriad. This is not courage.’’
And he walks unhesistatingly into perils without a single care for himself. Soon he comes to realize the reason for the kindness shown by Ambroisius - Ambroisius was his father who hadn’t come to claim him because of his having left Britain after the war. From then on, Merlin works with his father and his uncle Uther to regain the throne of Britain, though he accepts that he himself would never be king. Only a person behind the king.
And as the book comes to its end, Merlin works for a single purpose only - the birth of Arthur who, he had earlier prophesised to become the King of England.
I read the books a few months ago and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in reading. Not just Arthurian legend, or fantasy even. If you pick up this book expecting Dragons and Wizards with pointed hats, you’ll be dissappointed (and I would recommend you to read Tolkien). This is just a good piece of literature written by an author who has found it extremely easy to bring not only herself but all those who read her words into 5th century Britain and see things from their own eyes.
Mary Stewart has written this book in a very colourful manner and I have no complaints at all about it. At least, none about this part. It was a very convincing book. All the other stories seemed to have lost a bit of their flavour after this one. The book has been written not as if history is being recounted but instead as a story being told by a person about his life. Merlin’s life.
’’Merlin, where art thou going?’’
Note : For all those who are interested, the title is a line in a song by Blind Guardian, Imaginations From The Other Side.