HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

Child of the Northern Spring: Book One of…
Loading...

Child of the Northern Spring: Book One of the Guinevere Trilogy (edition 2010)

by Persia Woolley

Series: Guinevere Trilogy (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
5061647,930 (3.81)4
"An absorbing portrait of the Arthurian age." "-San Francisco Chronicle" Among the first to look at the story of Camelot through Guinevere's eyes, Woolley sets the traditional tale in the time of its origin, after Britain has shattered into warring fiefdoms. Hampered by neither fantasy nor medieval romance, this young Guinevere is a feisty Celtic tomboy who sees no reason why she must learn to speak Latin, wear dresses, and go south to marry that king. But legends being what they are, the story of Arthur's rise to power soon intrigues her, and when they finally meet, Guinevere and Arthur form a partnership that has lasted for 1500 years. This is Arthurian epic at its best-filled with romance, adventure, authentic Dark Ages detail, and wonderfully human people. "Praise for Persia Woolley's Guinevere Trilogy" "Original...accurate in detail..."Child of the Northern Spring "is rich and sweet." "-New York Times" "Vivid...dramatic...once again we are captivated by the magic of the legend that has long fed our appetite for pageantry and romantic adventure." "-Washington Post" "Vividly re-creates sixth-century Britain in the throes of change..."Child of the Northern Spring "portrays a sensitive young woman who will appeal to modern readers." "-Publishers Weekly" "Richly textured, evoking the sights and sounds of castle and countryside, the qualities of knight and servant. Highly recommended." "-Library Journal"… (more)
Member:rainyreader
Title:Child of the Northern Spring: Book One of the Guinevere Trilogy
Authors:Persia Woolley
Info:Sourcebooks Landmark (2010), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 576 pages
Collections:Kindle books, To read
Rating:
Tags:historical fiction, Camelot, Arthurian, Guinevere, Kindle edition

Work Information

Child of the Northern Spring by Persia Woolley

Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

No current Talk conversations about this book.

» See also 4 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 16 (next | show all)
A rare reread of something I loved in high school that completely holds up. Beautifully written, tightly plotted, a meaningful update of the Matter of Britain that is simultaneously immaculately researched and sensibly feminist. Cannot recommend this highly enough. ( )
  sparemethecensor | Nov 24, 2023 |
I downloaded this onto my Nook and had a great time sneaking in a few pages every time I had a few minutes no matter where I was. This is a refreshing telling of the days leading up to Princess Guinevere's marriage to King Arthur. You follow Guinevere through parts of her childhood and then the long journey from north to south to become queen. Rich details about the time period are woven in and both Guinevere and Arthur are well-developed as interesting people with many dimensions to their characters. Historical fiction at its best and I plan to search out more of Persia Woolley's works to read. ( )
  jjpseattle | Aug 2, 2020 |
Sooooo. . .Guinevere is a politically astute, intelligent, observant, and savvy creature, fit to rule a kingdom on her own and prepared to do so until Merlin and the Lady of the Lake choose her to be Arthur's spouse. Until the end of this book -- it stops shorly after the two are wed -- the reader is convinced that if she'd been born a man, she, unlike Arthur, wouldn't have needed a Merlin to unite Britain and form a nation.

I've read lots of Arthurian literature but this is the most politically focused novel about any of the legendary characters that I've encountered. Woollsey does an excellent job of creating a heroine to be admired, one who is believable and fully realized as a person. Guinevere demonstrates early and often how to negotiate importunate overtures, appease jealous religious figures, and placate emotional associates. She knows when to stand her ground and give ground; how to see the value in technology; how to recognize people's strengths and weaknesses and use them. She proves her loyalty, her faithfulness, and her capacity to be a visionary the equal of her new husband.

I think anyone who loves the Arthurian Romance will appreciate this skillful rendering of a very modern Guinevere. ( )
  Limelite | Nov 10, 2013 |
Ok, not great. Can't say that I would read it again. This isn't to say the writing is bad or weak...I just find I'm not an Arthurian Legend kinda person. ( )
  lesmel | May 19, 2013 |
Story starts when Guinevere is a child, the Romans has left and the Saxons are coming. Arthur isn’t King yet and there is no round table. I liked that there’s no dragons, magic or anything like that but it’s more based on fact.

I like that Guinevere is strong and independet who loves horses but the first half of the book was rather boring. It gets better after she mets Arthur. And the time jumps were annoying! I don’t like when time jump happens and it’s not clearly stated and you spend 2 pages wondering what the hell is going on.

This was a good start in a series and I’m curious to see how the story continues and hoping there’s more action in the future! ( )
  Elysianfield | Mar 30, 2013 |
Showing 1-5 of 16 (next | show all)
no reviews | add a review

Belongs to Series

You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
Dedication
To Autumn and Sharon, John and Nick, without whose support this story might not have been told, and to Mama Dee, without whom the teller would not have been
First words
I, Guinevere, Celtic Princess of Rheged and only child of King Leodegrance, woke to a clatter of activity in the stableyard.
Quotations
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English (2)

"An absorbing portrait of the Arthurian age." "-San Francisco Chronicle" Among the first to look at the story of Camelot through Guinevere's eyes, Woolley sets the traditional tale in the time of its origin, after Britain has shattered into warring fiefdoms. Hampered by neither fantasy nor medieval romance, this young Guinevere is a feisty Celtic tomboy who sees no reason why she must learn to speak Latin, wear dresses, and go south to marry that king. But legends being what they are, the story of Arthur's rise to power soon intrigues her, and when they finally meet, Guinevere and Arthur form a partnership that has lasted for 1500 years. This is Arthurian epic at its best-filled with romance, adventure, authentic Dark Ages detail, and wonderfully human people. "Praise for Persia Woolley's Guinevere Trilogy" "Original...accurate in detail..."Child of the Northern Spring "is rich and sweet." "-New York Times" "Vivid...dramatic...once again we are captivated by the magic of the legend that has long fed our appetite for pageantry and romantic adventure." "-Washington Post" "Vividly re-creates sixth-century Britain in the throes of change..."Child of the Northern Spring "portrays a sensitive young woman who will appeal to modern readers." "-Publishers Weekly" "Richly textured, evoking the sights and sounds of castle and countryside, the qualities of knight and servant. Highly recommended." "-Library Journal"

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Haiku summary

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (3.81)
0.5
1 2
1.5
2 2
2.5
3 16
3.5 5
4 20
4.5 1
5 16

Is this you?

Become a LibraryThing Author.

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 203,191,969 books! | Top bar: Always visible