Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle

I originally read this series of novels back in high school, when I was deeply obsessed with the Arthurian mythos, and immediately loved Rosalind Miles’ feminist take on these classic tales of knights and ladies. To a more mature eye, her language is a touch stilted in comparison to many other books, but the slightly lofty tone takes on the verbage of mythology itself and still works to tell the story in an engaging way. This style gives readers a bit more distance from the characters than we’re used to, even though Miles uses a varying narrative perspective to explore the minds and motivations of a vast number of the characters. Most importantly, she explores the titular Isolde, Princess of Ireland and later Queen of Cornwall, and show more her lover, Tristan of Lyonesse. Their story is expectedly tragic (we all know the outcome that is forthcoming unfortunately), and even though we can see that in some instances it is the sheer human stupidity and happenstance that causes their misfortune we can’t help but be swept up in their epic romance. Miles grounds their story in relatively realistic family drama (taken to an occasional overdramatic height, because, well, royalty) and a wonderfully fantastic historicity that while definitely fictitious harkens back to the Goddess-worshipping days before the domination of Christianity on the British Isles. Overall, Miles tells a very intriguing and engaging tale, and I might finish a full re-read of the trilogy later this summer if I’m feeling it! show less

Miles is an incredibly beautiful writer. The way she makes the littlest inanimate things come to life is amazing. The very air seems to be breathing in this novel: "The door burst open and Merlin came surging in. His green garments fluttered round him like leaves in a storm, and his yellow wand was groaning in his hand" (87)

The tale of forbidden love is a dramatic story featuring the legendary Tristan and Isolde. Arthur, Merlin and other notable characters make a few cameos but do not threaten to overwhelm the story.

While loaded down with romance, the novels is equally loaded with drama and suspense. Isolde and Tristan are threatened by many obstacles in the world (war, revenge, family, Isolde's husband!) and are therefore allotted only show more spare moments while they try to overcome what stands in the way of loving each other.

The novel is heavily religious: the religion being a worshiping of the Mother-goddess from the Celtic religion. It seemed every other moment Isolde would pray to the Mother-goddess. At times I felt the author herself disapproved of Christianity, so I could see how this might be offensive to certain readers. She portrays Christianity through only deceitful, sexist and rotten men.Keep in mind the book is simply remaining historically accurate to Ireland. Don't let this keep you from the book.

Try it! You'll love it! show less

This is the first in a trilogy of books retelling the classic tale of Tristan and Isolde. The beautiful Isolde is Princess of the Western Isle, a follower of the Old Ways and the daughter of a passionate but misguided Queen. Isolde first encounters Tristan as a wounded pilgrim, but a bond quickly forms between the pair, and she is heartbroken when she discovers that he has been lying to her. On his return to Cornwall, Tristan’s uncle, King Mark charges him with returning to Ireland and bringing Isolde back to be Mark’s wife and the Queen of Cornwall. The bitter Isolde agrees to the marriage and journeys to Cornwall, while she and Tristan confront and consummate their true feelings for each other. Upon her coronation as Queen of show more Cornwall, events begin to spiral out of control, in a tale of betrayal, loss and true love.

Other figures from the Arthurian world appear in this novel, including Merlin, Queen Igraine, Arthur himself, his Knights of the Round Table and his beautiful wife Guenevere, a girlhood friend of Isolde.

Partially true to the original tale and partly a retelling, Miles’ Tristan and Isolde are believable characters, caught up in their own passion and naivety. I enjoyed the book more than I expected to, the most enjoyable parts being set in Ireland, with the always-intriguing Merlin, and with Isolde’s trials in Cornwall. I myself have a great passion for the water, and especially the sea, so the tale often resonated deeply with me. The novel does depart from the main story at one point, with the appearance of a potential illegitimate son for Arthur, a sidebar that I felt detracted from the main focus of Tristan and Isolde’s story, but may be relevant later in the trilogy. I was a little confused at the end, as the story is most definitely left wide open for a sequel, with no definitive conclusion.

However, it is the Lady of the Sea that caught my attention most. I am by no means well read in the Arthurian legend, and my only knowledge of such a woman is the Lady of the Lake. The Lady of the Sea was quite something else for me, enchanting, kind and yet somehow so very sad. I would gladly read an entire series of books on her! For that reason alone, I would read the next book in the series, but I am also curious to see what Miles’ makes of Tristan and Isolde’s fate. show less

The story of the other major romance in the Arthurian Mythology. This begins the tale of the ill fated Tristan and Isolde. They meet under unforatunate circumstances. Sir Tristan has feld to Ireland, the home of his enemies, as he is dangerously injured. While there he is nursed by Isolde, the daughter of the Queen of Ireland. There they follow the Mother Rule and so Isolde is the next in line to rule. Tristan would be a good match for her being a Prince himself.

Sadly things are not to be so simple. The Queen has her own plans for her daughter and so does Tristan's uncle, King Mark back in Cornwall. Tristan is sworn to him and has made enemies at court by those who see his sudden return as a threat to their own schemes. Looks like the show more path of true love does not run smooth.

I loved the romance and the drama of the tale. I really like Rosalind's writing style (I have read her fantastic Camelot series and a novel on Queen Elizabeth) and thought this was no exception. I liked both the main characters and am interested to get to know the Queen and Andred more in the following two books. My only issue so far is that the characters seem to have longer life expectancies than I thought from other tales. I am sure there will be a suitably unhappy ending by the end of the final book! show less

Before the story of Lancelot and Guenevere there was the timeless love of Tristan and Isolde...

An interesting update to a classic tale dating as far back as the 13th C. La Belle Isolde and the loyal Tristan fall in love against all odds and have to live with the consequences. Isolde is a princess in Ireland while Tristan is nephew to King Mark of Cornwall, they are separated by more than a mere ocean. Will a marriage between the two lands unite the two conutries and end the feud?

Part one of a three part series, I look forward to reading the rest. While the original by Gottfried von Strassburg will always be my favorite this is a good remake for a fun read. Tristan and Isolde is so much more fun to read than the tales of King Arthur- for show more me at least ;) show less

First in a series on the legendary affair between Tristan, knight and pillar of chivalry, and Isolde, a Queen of Ireland. I didn't know much about this story before reading this book, and I found that it was a satisfying introduction. I remember reading a review that mentioned the overuse of the Mother-Goddess-Women-Rule-Men stuff, and I agree with that criticism- not because I'm anti-women of course!!- but because I found it distracting. Am 50 pages into the second one, which I'm finding just as interesting.

Written in a unique and interesting style, Isole: Queen of the Western Isle, is a definite must-read. This novel has been taken from the old Britannic myth Tristan and Isolde, which has been said to be the first Romeo and Juliet. Rosalind Miles has put her own style and twist into the age old tale. You will be pulled into this gut-wrenching story of forbidden love, and great tragedy