Arthur and the Seeing Stone

Kevin Crossley-Holland (author)

Orion Books, UK: 2000; 338pp

ISBN: 0752844296

Genres: adventure, fantasy, mythology

Issues: bullying, change, community, gifted, identity, social condition, values

Set in the Welsh Marches in 1199, this is an unusual interpretation of the Arthurian legend. There are two Arthurs - Arthur de Caldicott, second son of Sir John; and King Arthur of the magical sword.

Arthur de Caldicott is training to become a squire, although his left-handedness in a time when it is regarded as wrong, is a handicap. So is the attitude of his elder brother, who constantly bullies him and despises Arthur for his friendships with the ‘commoners' on their land. The tale is told from Arthur's perspective, as he records in his diary his daily experiences, attitudes of the time and how he feels about them, people he encounters, and finally, the visions he sees in the obsidian stone that Merlin gives him. Yes, Merlin - apparently the same Merlin who helped King Arthur all those years ago. And it is strange how alike the lives of the two Arthurs are, how their experiences seem to merge. Arthur de Caldicott learns much about himself from the Seeing Stone, which is just as well, as it is the turn of the century, a time of change, conflict and terrible secrets.

‘Earth-frost! The first of autumn. A tide of cool air flowed through my wind-eye and washed my face and wrists. It flowed through the copper-beech and hundreds of leaves broke loose. A whole fleet of them, staggering and spinning. Drowning in air.'

What is perhaps most remarkable about this novel is not only the unique approach to the Arthurian legend - the parallel narratives told in one hundred short chapters that serve almost as Advent windows on the past - but the unusual poetry of the language. Arthur de Caldicott loves language and has a gift for writing, something that is both a gift and a curse. But this is a gift to the reader, however, as the lyrical language, the concise descriptions of the people of the community, gives us clear images of Arthur's world, all he sees, all he feels, and the actions and reactions of those around him.

This is a delight to read and, without a great urgency of narrative, is sufficiently interesting and approachable that it keeps the reader turning the pages, assisted by the short chapters.

Highly recommended.