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Read The Prince And The Pilgrim (1997)

The Prince and the Pilgrim (1997)

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Rating
3.61 of 5 Votes: 1
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ISBN
0449224430 (ISBN13: 9780449224434)
Language
English
Publisher
ivy books

The Prince And The Pilgrim (1997) - Plot & Excerpts

Originally published on my blog here in January 2002.When I first read this novel, quite soon after it was published, I thought it was the poorest that Stewart had written. On re-reading it, I have modified my opinion, and new feel that it is not actually too bad, even if not among her best.The story is an adaptation from the tale of Alisander le Orphelin and Alice la Beale Pilgrim from the Morte d'Arthur, shorn of the late-medieval knight errantry so that it can be fitted into the sixth century setting of Stewart's Arthurian novels. Alisander is the great-nephew of King March of Cornwall (better known as Mark), whose father was killed when Alisander was a baby because of the king's jealousy of the popularity of his heir; the baby and his mother were able to escape. (This is why Alisander is "le Orphelin"; the orphan, or in modern usage, fatherless.)The parallel story of Alice "the beautiful pilgrim" is of the daughter of a man who has vowed to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem every third year - no easy promise at the time - and who takes his young daughter. Stewart has enlivened the minimal details in Malory by involving them with one of the racier stories from the history of the Franks.Having already covered the major events of the Arthurian myth in her earlier books (with the exception of the Grail story, which she has excluded explicitly), Stewart has chosen to adapt one of its minor episodes in this novel. It doesn't have the psychological depth of the main stories, and therefore isn't as deep a foundation for character. By writing a romance rather than a thriller - most of Stewart's novels lying somewhere on the border of these two genres - The Prince and the Pilgrim is less exciting too.

This was short, sweet, fairly predictable but still utterly delightful tale based on a brief passage in Malory's L'Morte D'Arthur about Sir Alisander and Alice la Beale Pilgrim. I think my only complaint is the slightly uneven tone--the juxtaposition of scenes of fairly shocking violence within the rest of the fairly cheerful, buoyant narrative didn't quite fit; in my opinion, the characters reacted/reflected/adjusted/moved on far too quickly to be believable, sort of killing any realism gained by including said-scenes (which may have been Stewart's aim, as she does include quite a bit of Dark Ages history in this Arthurian legend)? Though consistent world-wise with her Merlin Trilogy, The Prince and the Pilgrim has more in common with Mary Stewart's other short romantic novels; e.g. Nine Coaches Waiting or Thornyhold.Recommended for those looking to lose themselves for a few hours in a light but lively historical romance.

What do You think about The Prince And The Pilgrim (1997)?

Prince Alexander is born into a dangerous world, since his father is brother to the volatile, unpopular March, King of Cornwall. March murders his brother, leaving widowed Princess Anna and young Alexander vulnerable and fleeing for their lives. Years pass and just before Alexander turns 18 his mother shares the truth of his past with him and taxes him with the quest to avenge his father. Alexander falls into the hands of Morgan, who of course enchants and seduces him, before he at last finds his feet again. Running parallel to Alexander's story is Alice's, as she accompanies her father on his many pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and grows into a very beautiful young woman. The two meet near the end of the story. Stewart bases her tale on both history and legend and does a fine job merging fact and conjecture. Alexander himself never seems to come alive, however, and as a character does not seem to rise above a stereotypical shallow young man. Unusual for Stewart to have this sort of weak link. For readers who enjoy Arthurian tales and in particular Stewart's versions.
—Phoebe

Rather a light weight story after the initial four books in the Merlin series, but it definitely belongs in the series. Definitely would recommend reading the others before this one because of the occasional references to events in them, although she does give you a quick overview of the reference.As usual, I stand in awe of Lady Stewart's breadth and use of vocabulary, her blending of her take on the "historical" readings (i.e. La Morte d'Arthur), and her skill in descriptive prose.Although not my favorite of the series, it's a worthwhile read for the pure pleasure of immersing oneself in her gorgeous prose if for no other reason.
—Walter Conner

I really enjoyed this novel. It's rather shorter and lighter than Stewart's other Arthurian novels, but that's no bad thing in itself. It also takes place elsewhere in Arthurian Britain (as well as on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Tours), so is somewhat tangential to the core legends.The novel tells the tales of Alice the Pretty Pilgrim and Alexander the Fatherless. The two characters and their stories can be found in Malory, but Stewart has woven a full novel from such brief allusive origins. It is a light lovely read, and a perfect choice for my first book while on holiday!ETA: This might seem a fairly random comment to add to the review, but as a m-m romance author perhaps it's relevant to my interests... Not that any of the romances in this novel are m-m! But I wanted to say that I appreciated how sex was handled in this novel. While we always 'faded to black' and there were no actual sex scenes, neither was there any coyness about the matter. The characters wanted sex, had sex (both appropriate and inappropriate), and enjoyed it. Hurrah for such a matter-of-fact approach!
—Julie Bozza

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