- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Voyager; Television tie-in edition edition (15 Mar 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0006512895
- ISBN-13: 978-0006512899
- Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 11.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,061,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Merlin: The Old Magic is the first of a three part novelisation of the very successful Hallmark Entertainment Merlin mini-series starring Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Isabella Rossllini, and Martin Short. Author James Mallory has long been fascinated with the Arthurian legends and their historical development, and he greatly expands upon the TV series, adding material derived from the original Celtic mythology, together with further invention of his own. Characters not seen on TV include Herne The Hunter and Idath, Lord of the Wild Hunt. Mallory also provides foundation for the later Grail Quest, which the mini-series left off-screen.
The Roman Legions are abandoning Britain and Christianity spreading through the land. Mab, Queen of the Old Ways determines to fight the new religion, first placing her hopes in the tyrant King Vortigen, then creating the part-man, part-elemental Merlin. As a youth Merlin falls in love with the Lady Nimue, but as Mab's evil grows he vows to oppose her and the Old Magic.
This is an off-beat version of the early part of an oft told tale. It works best as an introduction to the Arthurian saga for those who loved the Merlin mini-series, or for teenagers unfamiliar with the legends. Adult readers, or those who know the original stories will perhaps find more satisfying other retellings such as The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead, or Rosalind Miles' Guenevere series. --Gary S. Dalkin
Product Description
The novel to coincide with the phenomenal mini-series MERLIN on Channel 4 this autumn – the Arthurian legend told on a grand and epic scale!
MERLIN is the Arthurian legend with a difference – this time, the famous myth is told from Merlin’s point of view. It is above all a love story, following the wizard’s quest for the enchantress Nimue. He must use sorcery to battle the evil Queen Mab, cunning Morgan Le Fey, and tyrannical Lord Vortigern, seeking ways to end the bloodshed which has plagued England since the Christians first clashed with the followers of the old ways.
The traditional elements of the legend – the incestuous conception of Mordred, the founding of the Round Table, Queen Guinivere’s infidelity with Lancelot, the quest for the Holy Grail – all contribute to the emerging struggle between Merlin and the dark forces which threaten all of England. Ultimately, Merlin must choose between his love for Nimue and his sworn loyalty to Arthur and Camelot.
This 4-part mini-series which took the US by storm will hit UK TV screens this autumn, and with what a cast: Sam Neill, Sir John Gielgud, Isabella Rossellini, Miranda Richardson, Rutger Hauer, Helena Bonham-Carter, Martin Short and James Earl Jones.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Adding to the story based on the film by Steve Barron.
The books are beautiful, the literature rich and well written. The characters come across well and the themes are fantastic. Theology is explored along with nature and nurture including fate, destiny and the choices we make.
Mab, queen of air and darkness create Merlin half human half magic and leaves him to grow in the mortal world nurtured by the former priestess Ambrosia. However when his latent faerie magic presents itself he has to go to the land of magic where Mab’s servant gnome Frik teaches him wizardry. Merlin learns magic, lore and is confined to Mab’s land of magic under the hollow hill under the enchanted lake ruled by Mab’s sister The Lady of the Lake. Mab created Merlin to survive; if men forget her kind then she will dwindle into shadow and die. The Lady of the Lake accepts this but Mab is of the stars and is set in her ways where the lady lake is made of water and moves with the tides of time.
Merlin visits Lord Idath, the lord of death and time; he hates Mab’s confining kingdom and runs away learning only two stages of wizardry (incantation, hand) and not the last (thought). When Merlin meets the Lady of the Lake he knows his true nature and magic and sees Mab’s evil. For Mab has grown bitter and evil letting Ambrosia die. Merlin is left in his beloved forest robbed of his mortal mother and mortal stepmother by Queen Mab. Merlin vows to never use magic accept to defeat Mab on the grave of his mother and Ambrosia. But Merlin knows his destiny is about to find him, with the coming of messengers of the White Dragon, the evil King Vortigern
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Merlin the old magic is part one of the epic story of the young merlin.
I saw the mini series in october 1997 on a TV3 a local station. The mini series was the best fantasy I have ever seen on televison.
The book expands so much on the storyline, and introduces several characters that are not in the mini series.
The best characters are Frik and Queen Mab who steal the show both in the book and in the mini series.
I recommed anyone to buy this book.
I Saw the T.V. film of this book on channel 4 the week before I read it and was not put off by this! It's a great book that will appeal to people of all ages, Much more concise and offers more background story than the film even mentions. I would really recomend this book to any one who enjoyed the t.v. film. If you read the book before the film don't bother wathcing the film the books better! I'm Eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
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