The Merlin Trilogy

Before I read these books when I thought of Merlin I thought of magic, dragons, and fantasy. Today my view is so very different. Mary stewart follows Merlin from early childhood to the time of Arthur with her trilogy. And along the way she shows us a realistic young Merlin whom we can all relate to. This series makes the myth of Merlin and camelot seem like it was fact and happened this way. This is my favorite series of books and I will reread and enjoy them for the rest of my life.

I believe that no story has been told more often than the Arthurian legends. Stewart, however, has based much of her story on historical record, which lends a certain ring of truth that other versions do not have. The story is told from Merlin's point of view and begins with his childhood and the uncertain parentage that people believe gave him his extraordinary abilities. As the High King's advisor, his prophecies unfailingly come to pass, much to the surprise of some and despite the orchestrations of others. His intelligence helps guide the kingdom through the dark times and into the light. Through Merlin's eyes Arthur, Ygraine, Uther, Guenever and Morgause are created anew. He shows us their loves, their secrets, their treachery, and their lives. The magician shows us much that is hidden from plain view, and the scandalous truths that even Arthur himself does not know. The original heroic fantasy tale, I recommend it to both history and fantasy buffs alike.

The story of Merlin has always intrigued me. Yet I have found the various books and movies distasteful. They portray Merlin in ways that do not jive with my inner sense of what might have been real. Mary Stewart, on the other hand, has portrayed a real individual in her books. A boy, Myrddin Emrys, who grows up spending a great deal of time alone, exploring and thinking. He is then believable as an adult because the magic he practices is ensconced in political wisdom, the beliefs of the people, strategic thinking, and the type of shamanic power that no doubt exists in the world. When the Merlin stood on a hillside overlooking Arthur's troops entering battle, of course they won. They won because they knew they would. Amazingly simple. Was it wizardry or was it the power of belief? Or both? I was permanently affected by this book. I named my son Emrys. I came to believe that the king's merlin no doubt existed, much as political advisors exist today. It is the realistic portrayal of this very important historical character that no one else has managed to conjure in quite so convincing a way.

Years ago I started reading A Crystal Cave and put it down because it wasn't the Mary Stewart I was used to. Then one day I read The Hollow Hills, loved it and then went back and finished A Crystal Cave, and read The Hollow Hills again. I must have read both these books a dozen times before The Wicked Day was finally published. When you read the Trilogy, especially the first 2 parts, watch for Biblical allusions. There's an allegory here. Watch for the Flight to Brittany scene in The Hollow Hills. And above all, pay attention to the language. When Merlin speaks there's rhythm and cadence that create power.