Isolde - Queen of the Western Isle
Rosalind Miles
Jonathan Ball
R150
Reviewed by Gail Jamieson, 2003
This is the first novel in a new Arthurian Trilogy.
There seem to be a growing number of novels set in the world of the
Arthurian Legend. This one is the story of Isolde who is one day destined to
be Queen of Ireland. It only intersects fleetingly with the story of Arthur
and Guinevere and we catch only glimpses of Merlin and the Knights of the
Round Table.
It is basically a love story - that of Tristan and Isolde. Isolde grows up
on the Isle of Avalon and learns the gentle art of healing. When she returns
home she has to attempt to hold back the plans of her mother, the Queen of
Ireland, who has been bedazzled and convinced by her lover, Sir Marhaus,
to attack Cornwall and bring it under Irish rule.
Tristan, the King of Cornwall's nephew, is the only one in Cornwall who is
capable of withstanding the challenge of Sir Marhaus. So he is sent out as
their champion.
Marhaus is killed and Tristan is seriously wounded. Isolde heals him, not
knowing who he is and unsurprisingly, they fall in love. He cannot reveal
his identity as the Queen has sworn to kill him to avenge Marhaus.
Tristan thinks that he may solve this problem by suggesting that the King
of Cornwall marry into Ireland to heal the breach and to take the
Queen's mind off Sir Marhaus. But instead of the Queen, King Mark decides to
marry Isolde. There seem to be no way to avoid this disaster and this
is indeed what happens.
However, as a happy ending is needed, it turns out that the King prefers
his old mistress and is somewhat relieved that his new Queen is reluctant
to share his bed. He also doesn't seem to notice, at first, that Tristan has
taken his place. When he can no longer ignore what is happening, he is forced
to subject Isolde to an ordeal by water. Fortunately she has spent many hours
of her youth in and under the water and this is less of an ordeal than it
might have been. But Tristan is forced to flee.
Tristan's father dies and he becomes King of Lyonesse. King Mark sends
Isolde back to Ireland and the Queen finds a new lover and it appears that
they will all live happily ever after . . ..
However this is only the first volume of the trilogy so we will have to
wait and see.
|
