Young Lancelot - Softcover

Robert D. San Souci

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0440414598 ISBN 13: 9780440414599

Publisher: Yearling, 1998

Synopsis

Lancelot, the most famous knight of fabled Camelot, was raised by the Lady of the Lake, a powerful enchantress. He grew to be handsome, strong, and intelligent--but also arrogant and cold. When he joined King Arthur's Round Table, his prowess as a warrior was unquestioned. But he had forgotten two of the most important qualities of a truly great knight: mercy and tenderness. This is the story of young Lancelot and his quest to become the greatest knight of all--a knight both brave and kind.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-San Souci continues his retellings of Arthurian legends. Lancelot is raised by the Lady of the Lake in her enchanted kingdom. Never revealing his true name or that he is the son of a king, she wants him to become an intelligent, caring warrior, but instead he becomes hardhearted and arrogant. When he hears of King Arthur's Round Table, he wants the chance to meet his destiny. His arrogance wins him no friends there, but Arthur allows him to tackle two difficult tasks to prove his worth. He conquers an evil knight and two giants easily, but falls short when battling black knights at Chapel Perilous. Lancelot feels sorry for himself at being defeated, but then has a soul-changing revelation. With his new attitude, he overcomes the black knights. His change comes too swiftly to ring true for someone with a heart that's "diamond-hard." Also, despite the use of vivid action verbs and strong descriptors, the two tasks are described too simplistically and without enough gritty conflict to make them interesting. The illustrations are colorful but do not reinforce the text: facial expressions are sometimes weak and unrepresentative of the action.
Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

From the collaborators behind Young Guinevere (1993), a version of the story of Lancelot, orphaned and raised by Niniane, the Lady of the Lake. Sent to King Arthur for training, the young man excels, but his cold and arrogant ways make him enemies. When allowed to test himself, he succeeds twice; a third test eludes him until he sees how selfish he has been. The prose is mannered, with words and phrases that set the mood yet do not obscure the tale. Although the illustrations are colorful and filled with enticing details on medieval costumes, embroidery, tapestry, and decoration, the action and characters can appear quite static. Some of the people are listless in their poses, staring inexplicably into the distance; others are done as full frontal portraits, gazing out at readers; still others--the wailing of a widow, a battle with a giant--interrupt the sheer elegance of the telling with melodrama. Vibrant, but flawed. (Picture book/folklore. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Yearling
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0440414598
• ISBN 13: 9780440414599
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Jamichael Henterly