A few years ago, Catherine Jinks’ acclaimed Pagan series introduced many young readers to the exciting world of the Crusades and medieval life.  Arthur: the Seeing Stone is a magical, enthralling story that presents that same world, but in a very different way. Two intriguing tales run through it - it is based on the legends of King Arthur, but is set in the historical world of England in 1199. 

Already nominated for several major British prizes, this is the first in a trilogy by noted writer and poet Kevin Crossley-Holland.  It is a beautifully crafted novel, with rich language, believable characters and obviously careful research about its time. 

Arthur de Caldicot, a young squire hoping to be trained as a knight, tells of his life in a hundred short chapters, some of a few pages, some just a few lines.  Through these snapshots, he describes his hopes and his fears as a new century is about to dawn and so much of his world is changing. 

His daily life, work and friends on his manor loom large in the story but behind it all lurk the bigger issues of the world.  King Richard dies and the unpopular King John rules.  Soldiers are needed to crusade to Jerusalem.  There are secrets in his family that will turn his life in unexpected directions. 

Amidst all this, his teacher Merlin gives him a secret stone in which he is able to see snippets of the story of King Arthur with all its magic and mystery.  It echoes young Arthur’s life in some ways he can understand and others which only reveal themselves gradually. 

Anyone familiar with the Arthurian legends will be able to follow the unfolding story, often before Arthur realises what is happening.  But even without that knowledge, any reader can find themselves drawn into the twin tales, crossing back and forth as each builds on the other.  Maps and a word list help with the historical details but much of it explains itself. 

This is a marvellous piece of storytelling, thoroughly deserving the praise it has already received.  The sequels better not be far away!

Other titles in the series:
Arthur: At the Crossing Places (Orion, 2001)
Arthur: King of the Middle March (Orion, 2003)

Other books by this author:
 

 Review by David Beagley

© 2002 David Beagley