THE GRAIL - REVIEWED
REVIEW BY LARRY MENDELSBERG

This review will be appearing on Arthurnet and in Pendragon.

This small press production is an anthology of poetry and fiction by contemporary writers that presumably have not made their way into mainstream lietrary works. That is not to say that the material presented is not worthy of inclusion in anthologies publby major publishing houses. Sveral of the pieces presented are well written and entertaining. There is something for every grail seeker, no matter what definition is endorsed, in this unpretentiously bound booklet.

Opening with a simple, straightforward poem,
The Grail, about the grail and man's attempt to attain it, by Aeronwy Dafies, the editor chooses to close with a weighty poem, Steve Sneyd's Of a care in what you wish for. Steve ponders the quest for uniqueness by human beings, while demonstrating, using a substantial number of myths and legends, the universal sameness of individuals and life.

Between the two poetic offerings, we have seven short stories, DJ Tyrer's
The Stone of Heaven presents an ecclesiastical origin of the grail. The consequences of an attempt to deceive true believers in the grail are disastrous and unexpected in Chris Lovegrove's entertaining short story, Fallen From Heaven. Two tales can be directly associated with the Arthuirian legend: Island of the Dawn by Pamela Harvey follows the fate of a group of Romano-Cel;ts during the Saxon take-over (succession) of Britain, and DJ Tyrer gives us a humorous interpretation of the truth behind Galahad's attainment of the grail in Ye Tale of Ye Grale. A malevolent grail is encountered in DS Davidson's science fiction story, The Grail of Derwandir and a 'grail' to set right the many dimensions of the world is sought after in Neil K. Henderson's science fiction-fantasy, Magusto and The Fulcrum. Lastly, a child's encounter with the Fisher King and her chance to change the fate of the world is related in Aeronwy's The Fisher King.

A unique volume that entertains, THE GRAIL should be read by lovers of fantasy and fictioon and is a must have for those who hope to own everything in the way of Arthurian literature.

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