The Bright Sword
By Lev Grossman
Adult Fiction

Young Collum has dreamed of earning his place at King Arthur’s Round Table ever since he could pick up a sword. He’s no one important, and not even really noble enough to be knighted, but when he has a chance to steal away and journey to Camelot, he seizes the opportunity.

Unfortunately, it seems Collum’s dreams are destined to be disappointed. By the time he arrives at the castle, Arthur has been killed by his son, Mordred; Excalibur has been thrown into the sea; Merlin has been entombed; and Gueniviere and Lancelot have retreated to separate monasteries to atone for their sins. 

Only a handful of ragtag knights remain at Camelot, and they don’t exactly welcome Collum with open arms – but once he has proven he belongs with them, he convinces them they can return Camelot to its glory. There are hosts of obstacles in the way, of course, but quests and obstacles have never stood in the way of the Knights of the Round Table before.

This meaty fantasy novel mixes Arthurian legend with humor and a modern sensibility. It honors the sheer weirdness of so many of Arthur’s tales, and doesn’t bother to constrain itself to historical accuracy. (Somehow, this Camelot straddles a time period that encompasses both the fall of Rome and the high Middle Ages at the same time.) Despite its 600-plus pages, it’s a fast, fun read.

Reviewed by Lynn Heitkamp
Zauel Library