Here Lies Arthur by Phillip Reeve
I picked up ‘Here Lies Arthur’ for multiple reasons: 1. because I loved Philip Reeve’s other book series, Mortal Engines, and 2. because I enjoy the old Welsh legends of King Arthur and his knights. What I got was a dark, emotional, harrowing retelling of Arthur that put a sense of realism into legends that have lived for centuries. And it was truly enthralling!
In the times after the Romans had left Britain, when tyrants and war bands were scattered across the land, Gwyna’s home is burnt down by none other than Arthur himself and his ruthless knights.
She runs and finds herself in the unexpected care of the song-spinner Myrddin, Philip Reeve’s intriguing interpretation of Merlin, of whom shares with Gwyna the secrets of miracles that molded the stories we hear of Arthur today.
‘Here Lies Arthur’ takes you along a beautifully written journey in the voice of Gwyna, as Myrddin helps her become a lake-goddess, a soldier’s boy, a handmaiden spy and back again, leaving the reader with a sense of fulfillment that carries throughout the novel.
I found Gwyna an utterly compelling protagonist, who gave a feministic approach to what would turn out to be a sometimes gory, always amusing tale. Her growth throughout the novel really defines it; how she goes from one opinion to another, one identity to the next. And Arthur himself… Well, it definitely was an unexpected approach to Wales’s mythical hero! Reeve gave him such a selfish, intimidating personality that I actually learned to dislike him, despite his bloated reputation.
Myrddin, on the other hand, was very close to what the legends say about him, even if he wasn’t the wizard he is said to be. He really grew on me, especially since his father-relationship with Gwyna is such an emotional asset to their tale. Other characters, like Peredur (a heart-warming companion to Gwyna) and Gwenhwyfar (Arthur’s lonely wife) really brought the story to life, as I have a special soft spot for Peredur, of whom brought most of the cynical comedy to the book.
All in all, this book was an unusual treat. I thought it’d be a fantasy-type read, but it actually turned out to read like historical fiction despite the lack of truth in it; it even had a directory at the back telling you how to pronounce all the Welsh names for characters and places! Some parts lost me slightly now and then, where time was passing and they were travelling around the place, but those parts were always saved by some lesson Gwyna had learnt from them, or some interaction with other characters which hooks the reader.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a historical fiction x fantasy adventure which takes you into the heart of post-Roman Britain. I think fans of ‘The Hobbit’ and Celtic mythology would like this novel, and if you like that, then definitely consider Philip Reeve’s infamous Sci-fi fantasy series ‘Mortal Engines’!
I give ‘Here Lies Arthur’ a solid rating of 7.5/10.
By Amelie Maynard (Year 10)
