Booklog 9/2023: Juliet E McKenna: The Cleaving

[jacey]

This is a feminist retelling of the Arthurian legend from the viewpoint of Nimue.but concentrating not only on Nimue herself, but also Ygraine, Morgana and Guinevere in a world where women have little control over their own destinies. This puts a different spin on Ygraine marrying Uther, the man who killed her husband; on Nimue’s battle with Merlin, on Morgana’s use of dark magic, and on Guinevere’s ill-fated attraction to Lancelot. Together the four women have a voice and can change their world. Juliet McKenna knows her folklore and this works through the various well known plot points, but in a completely different way. Highly recommended.