- Paperback: 232 pages
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH); Reprint edition (23 Mar 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 061843237X
- ISBN-13: 978-0618432370
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.9 x 1.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,986,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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First Sentence
Piers worked the bellows slowly and steadily, the way his father was always nagging him to do it. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Piers worked the bellows slowly and steadily, the way his father was always nagging him to do it. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
Gerald Morris usually adds a wry, quirky edge to the usual Arthurian legends, but he went into angstier territory for his retelling of Parsifal's legend -- the original Grail quest, long before it was connected to Sir Galahad and so on. "Parsifal's Page" is an initially disappointing experience because it's not terribly funny, but it is an intriguing story from the perspective of... oh, you can tell already.
The son of a blacksmith and a former lady-in-waiting to the French court, Piers (calling himself "Pierre") has been prepped by his mother in manners and courtliness, and sweat and grime by his hard-working father. When a strange red knight comes by and offers Piers a road out, he eagerly comes along... only to have red knight is quickly killed off by a strange, naive young man named Parsifal, who is hoping to become a knight.
The problem is, Parsifal knows absolutely nothing about knighthood -- or manners, for that matter. He brings along the very confused and embarrassed Piers on his quest to learn manners, fighting (from a mystery woodsman who will be quite familiar to readers of this series), and chivalry (after a disastrous dinner with a noble lady). But disaster strikes when the two stay at a strange, magical castle -- and Parsifal fails to ask "the question."
I'll be the first to say: This book is not as funny as Morris' prior work. Oh, there's humor, like the catastrophic dinner with the noble lady, Parsifal sending every defeated foe to a woman Sir Kay insulted, Piers's bizarre and oft-noticed hat, the attack on the castle of an overly-romantic maiden, and so forth.
But Morris seems to have stretched his boundaries by exploring some more serious, sober territory n the Arthurian legends, such as Parsifal's self-imposed exile. And while Morris' prose still chugs along at a solid, earnest rate, he events leading up to the return to the castle, and what occurs inside is written with a beauty of words that Morris has not displayed in his prior books. But don't worry, it's not too bleak -- Morris' fondness for his characters is evident everywhere, especially since he revisits the Otherworld and some old friends.
Piers is a likeable little guy -- he's pretentious and extremely self-conscious at first, but slowly the layers are stripped away until we see Piers as he is really. Parsifal's evolution from naive and sheltered to sad and haunted to secure and newly mature is painful, but worth the journey. He's absent for a good chunk of the book, allowing us to visit old friends Terence and Gawain. (Who go on a few amusing adventures as well)
"Parsifal's Page" is an endearing little fantasy that expands Gerald Morris' writing skills -- he can do funny, but he also do a lot more. Just don't expect the level of humor as before (or after).
The son of a blacksmith and a former lady-in-waiting to the French court, Piers (calling himself "Pierre") has been prepped by his mother in manners and courtliness, and sweat and grime by his hard-working father. When a strange red knight comes by and offers Piers a road out, he eagerly comes along... only to have red knight is quickly killed off by a strange, naive young man named Parsifal, who is hoping to become a knight.
The problem is, Parsifal knows absolutely nothing about knighthood -- or manners, for that matter. He brings along the very confused and embarrassed Piers on his quest to learn manners, fighting (from a mystery woodsman who will be quite familiar to readers of this series), and chivalry (after a disastrous dinner with a noble lady). But disaster strikes when the two stay at a strange, magical castle -- and Parsifal fails to ask "the question."
I'll be the first to say: This book is not as funny as Morris' prior work. Oh, there's humor, like the catastrophic dinner with the noble lady, Parsifal sending every defeated foe to a woman Sir Kay insulted, Piers's bizarre and oft-noticed hat, the attack on the castle of an overly-romantic maiden, and so forth.
But Morris seems to have stretched his boundaries by exploring some more serious, sober territory n the Arthurian legends, such as Parsifal's self-imposed exile. And while Morris' prose still chugs along at a solid, earnest rate, he events leading up to the return to the castle, and what occurs inside is written with a beauty of words that Morris has not displayed in his prior books. But don't worry, it's not too bleak -- Morris' fondness for his characters is evident everywhere, especially since he revisits the Otherworld and some old friends.
Piers is a likeable little guy -- he's pretentious and extremely self-conscious at first, but slowly the layers are stripped away until we see Piers as he is really. Parsifal's evolution from naive and sheltered to sad and haunted to secure and newly mature is painful, but worth the journey. He's absent for a good chunk of the book, allowing us to visit old friends Terence and Gawain. (Who go on a few amusing adventures as well)
"Parsifal's Page" is an endearing little fantasy that expands Gerald Morris' writing skills -- he can do funny, but he also do a lot more. Just don't expect the level of humor as before (or after).
Format:Hardcover
Young Piers dreams of being a page, the servant of a knight of great renown. Adventure finds Piers in the form of a country bumpkin who wishes to be a knight, a young man by the name of Parsifal. With King Arthur's blessing, Parsifal and Piers ride out to do great deeds, and earn Parsifal's knighthood. However, for both Parsifal and Piers the ride is an education, and both have lessons to learn.
As with Gerald Morris's other books, this one is quite exciting, and written in an easy to read style. I have come to expect a lot from this author, and this book certainly delivers. It is a wonderful book, a fine example of High Medieval Arthuriana. I highly recommend this book!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
19 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Quite exciting
20 Feb 2002
Format:Hardcover
Young Piers dreams of being a page, the servant of a knight of great renown. Adventure finds Piers in the form of a country bumpkin who wishes to be a knight, a young man by the name of Parsifal. With King Arthur's blessing, Parsifal and Piers ride out to do great deeds, and earn Parsifal's knighthood. However, for both Parsifal and Piers the ride is an education, and both have lessons to learn.
As with Gerald Morris's other books, this one is quite exciting, and written in an easy to read style. I have come to expect a lot from this author, and this book certainly delivers. It is a wonderful book, a fine example of High Medieval Arthuriana. I highly recommend this book!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Great book!
26 Mar 2001
Format:Hardcover
I'm so happy I finally got to read this book! Well anyway, This is a really great book, but I think the other books by Gerald Morris were a little better. Not to say that this selection was poor, but in my opinion, the other ones were better. Atleast Gerald Morris didn't loose his sense of humor!!! :-D This book is about a boy named Pier, born a black smith's son, who dreams about living in a castle. He really wants to be a page or squire, but his mother tells him otherwise. That he's too young. But when a knight passes by Pier's cottage, he seizes the oportunity and asks if the knight needs a page. So Pier gets his spot as a page and sets out on his quest. but not the kind that he was expecting. His master is very unkind and is soon defeated. So this is where Pier meets Parsifal, his new master. Later he realizes that enforcing certain manners to a great extent is not always sucsessful and the best way to go. Curiosity, is not showing stupidity and weakness, but showing humbleness. This was a really great book, and I hope you'll love it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Gerald Morris still going strong!
4 Feb 2002
Format:Hardcover
I have read the entire series of Mr. Morris' books, and am in love with all of them! He brings Arthurian legend closer to us - in stories anyone can enjoy (and you learn a little about medieval customs, terms, etc.). The wit is top notch, the romance heart felt without becoming gushy, and the heroes extremely likable. Wonderful books. I can't wait until the next one is released!
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