Gerald Morris: A Squire's Tale

Terence is an orphan raised by the hermit Trevisant in a forest. One day he encounters a knight, and Trevisant declares that his time in the forest is done, and he is now to be the knight's squire. The knight is Sir Gawain, and together the two journey to Camelot and embark on many quests and adventures.

The Squire's Tale is a young adult Arthurian novel, drawing much of its content from Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. Author Gerald Morris attempts to adapt the source material for a younger audience, and succeeds admirably. Much of the plot itself is taken directly from the beginning of Le Morte d'Arthur, but is fleshed out in a way as to make Malory's work more accessible to a more contemporary audience. For example, Terence's adventures include the Battle of the Five Kings, the Battle with the Emperor Lucius, and the quest involving the white hart and hound. Several characters are Morris's own creation, the protagonist Terence being the prime example.

The novel is not meant to be a direct adaptation. Although the fundamental plot of Le Morte d'Arthur is preserved, Morris adds characterizations and subtle changes that add a new spin to the classic Arthurian legends. Sir Gawain, for example, is portrayed as a pragmatic and honorable knight, and Merlin holds a very minor role. Morris's style flows very well and he writes very good dialogue: there is a general air of humor throughout, and several conversations actually made me laugh out loud. For those who have read Le Morte d'Arthur, there are also indirect references that poke fun at the original text. Gawain ridicules many of the Round Table's knights, for example, for dressing up fancily while being terrible fighters. Questing knights frequently encounter each other on their journeys, despite the improbably nature of such frequent encounters.

Overall, the novel is very lighthearted and fun to read. The travelogue style works very well here, as the key element of Arthurian legends is the quest. The dialogue consistently delivers, and there are genuine moments of laughter throughout. The novel has some serious moments, but never feels too long. If there's one problem, it's that the end feels a bit rushed. It's a testament to Morris's ability to draw readers in, however, that I was left wanting more after finishing the last page. As a young adult book, The Squire's Tale is a success, as it doesn't take itself too seriously and is addicting to read: there's always the urge to read the next chapter to find out what happens next to Sir Gawain and Terence.

Rating: (7/10)