Grail Prince

by Nancy McKenzie

Book Overview

The wheel is turning and the world will change. . . . And a son of Lancelot, with a bloody sword and a righteous heart, shall renew the Light in Britain before the descent of savage dark. . . . So... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345456483
• ISBN13: 9780345456489
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Del Rey
• Length: 510 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.0" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

A journey of self-discovery

This book follows the life of Galahad, Lancelot's son, from early childhood until he is an adult. Galahad is on a quest to secure three relics for Britain, a grail, a spear, and a sword. If he does, Britain will be forever invincible. In the beginning of the book, Galahad is intolerant, self-righteous, misogynistic and lacking in compassion. Through flashbacks to his childhood, the author allows us to understand why he became this way. Although there are battles, this book is less an adventure story than it is the story of one man's transformation. By slow degrees, Galahad comes to a better understanding of the world and especially of his father, Lancelot. He is finally able to be the great knight he had already believed he was. Nancy McKenzie does an excellent job portraying this transformation and making it real and believable for the reader. If you are looking for bloody battles, you may be disappointed, but if you like Arthurian legend and enjoy a well-written story with complex characters, give this a try.

A Fascinating New Perspective on Galahad!

This is the tale of Galahad, son of Lancelot. In the beginning, Galahad, poisoned in mind against Lancelot, learns to hate his father. His mother Elaine, with the help from a "priest" Aidan, work together successfully to turn Galahad against him. While Elaine has her own reasons, some of them her own fault, for hating Lancelot, she enlists Aidan in her plans to shame him, not knowing that he has his own reasons for revenge. From all of this, Galahd has learned to despise his father and desires to avenge himself on Lancelot for the perceived cruelness imposed on his mother over the years. He finally breaks free to go to Camelot to serve Arthur, the High King, but peace eludes him there also. Eventually, he learns that all he was taught by his mother and Aidan was false and he then turns his mind against women, judging them all to be liars and the weaker of the sexes. He also continues to hate his father but after awhile of gradual maturing he comes to understand Lancelot but finds it difficult to forgive him until he himself commits the same mistakes as his father did.He goes on a quest for Arthur to find the treasures that will heal Britain and once again make her invincible to invaders. For awhile, he travels with his cousin Percival who worships him as a hero figure. Galahad's pompous, aloof behavior changes when he meets Dane, the twin sister of Percival.Things then begin to change his preconceived ideas and he learns to eventually love and to quest for something more tangible and earthly to bring him peace of mind. The novel switches back and forth between Galahad's past and his present life and shows how he matures in mind and body over the years. This is a real page turning yarn that will delight and enthrall any follower of Arthurian Literature. I thought this would be a boring saga of the saintly character Galahad, but was pleasantly surprised to find it anything but. Galahad is portrayed as a man struggling with what he has always been taught to believe is right and what the true reality really is. A totally believable human being is showcased here with faults of his own that he must learn to conquer in order to find true happiness. Read it, you will not be disappointed!

Passionate and insightful writing

GRAIL PRINCE is undoubtedly one of the best Arthurian novels I have ever read. What sets McKenzie's writing apart is her sincere appreciation for the human struggle for goodness and meaning. While many books in the Arthurian genre concentrate too much on battle descriptions or cartoon-like magical elements, McKenzie spends her time plumbing the depths of the human heart. She escorts us into the souls of Galahad, Lancelot, Arthur, and Guinevere, and we sense that their passions and struggles are our own. We learn through them what it truly means to be good and holy. There were quite a few moments in the last few chapters that brought me to tears, so be sure to have some tissues handy. Anyone looking for great Arthurian literature that deeply touches that heart and mind as well as entertains, should look no further than Nancy McKenzie.

a great find

After reading Queen of Camelot, I couldn't wait for the Grail Prince to come out. McKenzie handles this difficult Arthurian legend with grace and sympathy, making the ultra-pure Galahad an understandable character. Galahad's problems are relevant to many contemporary issues, and today's reader will have no problem relating to this book. I highly recommend it!

will enchant the Camelot crowd

Galahad, the oldest son of Lancelot knows his father loves King Arthur's spouse Queen Guenivevre. Galahad also realizes that his weak mother despises her husband, but does nothing except rant to her children. Still he loathes his sire for giving his heart to the wrong person. He concludes that women are feeble and deceitful and vows to avoid all females, preferring abstinence to a woman's wiles. When Arthur nears death following the battle of Canlann against his own son, he asks Galahad to fulfill a quest. He wants Galahad to unite Excalibur with the Grail and the Spear so that his beloved Britain will never be invaded. Galahad travels forever seeking the answers to what Arthur laid on him. If he learns how to love, he would find the treasures are near, but the truth is even the woman who apparently is his destiny cannot seem to reach his heart.Mostly through Galahad's eyes, this fantasy is a strong look at Camelot after King Arthur's death. The story line is action-packed, but is more of a character study than the usual genre novel. Readers see inside into the soul of Lancelot paying the piper for his heroism and sacrifice. However, this is Galahad's tale as he struggles to overcome the lessons of his childhood that focused on his mother's hatred of his father for his unrequited love and subsequent family neglect. Arthur is more of a father to the troubled lad. The GRAIL PRINCE will enchant the Camelot crowd who will demand that this Yankee author provide more tales in King Arthur's Court.Harriet Klausner