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David McK (3649 KP) rated Lancelot in Books

Jan 30, 2019

I read Giles Kristian's Raven: Blood Eye series of books a few year back.

They were enjoyable, I felt, but not the greatest such novels I'd ever read (I enjoyed the first one the most)

I also, relatively recently, read the first in his 'Rise of Sigurd' prequel novels and felt that one, at times, to be a bit of a chore to get through.

As such, I'd never really gone out of my way to look for any other book by Giles Kristian

However, being the optimist that I (sometimes) am, with loads of adverts extolling its virtue on a popular social-media networking site and with a intriguing premise, I thought I would give this one a go.

And I'm glad I did: it's in (I felt) a completely different league that any of his previous.

This is, effectively, a semi-historical re-telling of the Arthurian myth unique, however, in that it is told from the point of view of Lancelot himself: one third of, perhaps, the most well known love-triangle in the English language but of whom has always been given short shrift, dropping in and out of the Arthurian myth.

This, however, turns that on it's head, with Arthur only appearing roughly about half-way through this book, and with Lancelot having previous history with Guinevere before she is even Arthur's wife. This work follows him right from his boyhood, through his rescue and upbringing by Lady Nimue (Arthurian myth name drop? Check), his first meetings with Merlin (another check) and with Arthur (major check), the reimagined Excalibur (check) and the Lady of the Lake ("listen, just 'cos some watery tart threw a sword at you …"), Mordred (yet another check), his love affair with Guinevere, his exile and even Mordred's betrayal of Arthur.

I have to say, I really enjoyed this: a strong contender for the best book I've read so far this year.

Kudos

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies

Jul 2, 2019

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

2018 | Biography, Drama, History

6.3

(15 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Mary Queen of Scots” tells the story of two women fighting to rise above the status quo and take the power that they were genetically entitled to. Yet, their paths are forsaken by the omnipresent patriarchy, despite their high status and crowns.

The film is a display of the hard hands of men attempting to crush the ambitions of women. The manipulative and aggressive power of the patriarchy is a theme sown throughout the story.

This tale is filled with twists and turns, betrayal, romance, gore, and heartache. It is a portrayal of a timeless theme.

The audience will be placed in another world of the distant past where life was poor, brutish, nasty, and short, as Leviathan would have put it.

Margot Robbie as Queen Elizabeth I, embodies a woman absorbed by the challenge of maintaining her crown. She forfeits her femininity to become a masculine ruler out of necessity and the impact upon her is great in sacrifice.

On the other hand, her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, played by Saoirse Ronan, is an ambitious leader with hopes to bring peace between two kingdoms at all costs.

Ronan delivers an elegant and passionate performance as Mary, a headstrong and fearless lady of power with rosy cheeks and eyes full of brightness. She believes in love and she believes in truth, but she also believes in war. The audience will experience where her values and virtue lead her.

If escape from the mundane modern world is what the movie goer desires, this will be the perfect film. It is a balance of everything and a reflection of life itself in all its most ugly and beautiful moments.

Director Josie Rourke has delivered a riveting historical drama onto the big screen.

The film has an ethereal and realistic way of reviving this piece of our past. But heed my warning, it will not be for the faint of heart.