The Last Enchantment (The Arthurian Saga, Book 3)

"The essence of wisdom is to know when to be doing, and when it's useless even to try." - Mary Stewart in The Last EnchantmentSeldom in Mary Stewart's telling of the Arthurian legend has it been useless for Merlin to try to affect events, and never when he's tried has he failed. But in this third installment of her series, Merlin is winding down. He feels his powers waning and longs to be able to pass off those powers to a worthy successor.Fortuitously, he finds such a successor - a most surprising successor. Or perhaps the successor was brought to him by his god, even though Merlin had believed that the god had withdrawn his hand from his life.This story, as in the two previous books, is once again told entirely in Merlin's voice, and after a while that makes for a pretty static narrative even when he is describing very active events. Arthur, in Merlin's telling, is never less than virtuous, honorable, magnanimous, and noble. Most of the men in his immediate circle are equally righteous. Except for the ones who betray him, of course, and they are scurrilous and malicious, without redeeming social value.And the women. Ah, the women! Mostly they are either weak or entirely evil. I suppose that is one of the things that began to bother me about these legends. To borrow from a previous presidential campaign from several years ago, it's the misogyny, stupid!So, on the one hand we have noble, upright men, except for a few bounders who are easily disposed of by the sword, and on the other, we have women who are either weak or evil. And that, in a nutshell, sums up the Arthurian saga.And yet, I loved these stories when I was growing up and one of my favorite movies, which I saw countless times when it was in the theaters, was "Camelot." I didn't see any problems with the tales then. They were just swashbuckling romances and everything about them was good. Since then, you might say life has somewhat changed my perspective.Careful writer that she was, Mary Stewart rigorously researched all aspects of the Arthur/Merlin saga, and she managed to weave most of the themes and major characters into her retelling of them. She gives us the two Guineveres, Melwas, Nimue/Niniane/Vivien, and, of course, Morgause and Morgan.Moreover, she gives us the founding of Camelot itself, and the story of the bringing of peace to the land through Arthur's unstoppable force of arms. He never loses a battle and he is always heroic. His people love him for it, and they are in awe of his wizard, Merlin.The Last Enchantment begins with Arthur established on the throne and takes us through his two marriages to two women named Guinevere. The first one ended in tragedy. The second one, as the story ends, is still in force, even though it has been a lonely one for Guinevere with her husband constantly away from home and on the battlefield.But having watched "Camelot" to the point of having memorized all the lines all those many years ago, I feel pretty confident in saying that this one, too, will end in tragedy.

As the third novel in Mary Stewart's story of the Arthurian legend it is as good as the others. It is so sad that an author of this scope and talent is no longer with us but we can all rejoice in the knowledge that she was a prolific author and there is a lot out there from her to read. Her ability as a story teller can hardly be challenged and she's at her best here. She has woven an incredibly interesting story around the legend of Arthur and Guinevere and Merlin the Enchanter. Since we know so little about the people of this particular time in history just about any story can be told with some validity but Mary Stewart had done an huge amount of research prior to writing this series of novels. She brings England of the 4th and 5th century alive for me and I have listened to these more than once. Her prose is evocative and descriptive and so very lyric. If you love the Arthurian saga give these novels a try. They're fantastic!

Stewart is an excellent writer.

Honestly, I thought the first two were fine, stand-alone books, with no need to revisit the saga. This third book does not utilize Geofrey of Monmouth's History of British Kings, but does make reference to the later French Romances of Arthurian lore. This change in foundation does hurt the story, as it loses the original gritty feel, but was inevitable as Geofrey wrote down all the surviving British legends (with his own additions). There simply wasn't anywhere else to look. The characters have a very different feel to them, which will annoy some readers. Having said all that, Mary Stewart wrote superb fiction and I cannot countenance removing two stars from what is otherwise an excellent drama.

For several reasons, I found this third volume of Stewart's "Merlin Trilogy" less, well, enchanting than the former two volumes. The primary ones are:1.) The writing - In the previous two novels, especially in The Hollow Hills, Stewart writes in a bewitching poetic prose which captivates the reader every bit as much or more than the story. Here, the writing seems more than a bit stretched and worn. Stewart still retains her descriptive powers, but they are like Merlin's powers, on the wane and frequently plodding.2.) The story - The plotting and the characters themselves, not Merlin alone, are all too cosy. One expects something far darker, more haunting - from Morgause and Nimuë especially! But Stewart proffers us instead a very insipid rendering indeed of these enchantresses in the book, with a tidy, pat ending; So much so that they come to remind one of Hampshire hausfraus more than dangerous, bewitching magical beings.The book is, of course, a must read if one has read the previous two volumes. But don't expect too much enchantment from The Last Enchantment.

It is never too late to catch up on the reading lists of one's youth. I am 66 and am just now getting to this 4 book collection of stories. I give this collection, offered through Amazon, 5 stars. The paperback (new) was received in good condition. The price was reasonable. The delivery, once ordered, was quick. The advertisement was true to what I received.

Having loved the Arthurian legends since I was a small child, this series is turning out to be a wonderful prequel and elaboration, with some surprising details. The author includes some of the actual historical basis regarding how certain cultures moved around the that area of the world, and against each other. The characters are more developed, in a personal way, than any other book I've read on the subject. The story is engrossing, even though I know how it all turns out. At least I think I do.

I found the story very captivating. I have read many versions of Arthurian stories and although there are some magical elements, Stewart really makes the story more real.

I first started reading this trilogy in the late 1970s, and I have re-read it at least annually ever since. The whole Arthurian "Matter of Britain" has always fascinated me, and in my opinion this is probably one of the best versions ever told. Yes, it is a legend, mostly pure fantasy, but that really doesn't matter. The people, their emotions, their problems and reactions, are all too human and understandable, even in to-day's world. The writing is superb, flowing, expressive and completely drawing me in to the world Mary Stewart has created. Each time I read it (and I have just finished this year's re-read) it makes me laugh and cry and never fails to enthrall me. I read every single word slowly,like enjoying a good meal, and I never want it to end. The original books are now so tattered I've put it on to my kindle. Definitely my Desert Island books.

Have very much enjoyed the trilogy of Merlin and Arthur and Mary Stewart is a superb writer. I felt this third one not quite as good as the first 2 but never the less very enjoyable. I am a fan of anything Arthurian which probably accounts for my enthusiasm. My bucket list for 2015 is to visit all sites that are mentioned and still standing. I know it is only legend and some people say Arthur never existed but all legends are passed down from facts, even if they loose some in the passing down the centuries but I love legends. If you are not an Arthur or legend fan then this is not for you.

Because of the issues mentioned below, I am finding the above book, which is obviously a reprint, very difficult to handle and to read comfortably because of the way in which it has been printed.1) the printing is inconsistent with some pages printed in dark thick ink and other pages printed as normal.2) the margins on the left and right side pages are too wide so the text on both pages are forced into the centre and too close to the book's spine. This makes the handling of the book very awkward when reading, and with my stiff thumb joints I find it almost impossible to handle the book for longer than half a hour at a time, and its almost impossible to read in bed.I realise I should have returned the book but I was so eager to begin reading it especially as I had just finished the previous two.Perhaps the stock could be checked in case this flaw is repeated in other copies.Thanking you for your continual good service.Best regards, Susan Lapsley

a fantastic book and very well written, sufficient to make one stop to look again at a phrase. The plot is amasing, you cannot see where the next movement will come and she doesn't do that thing of ramping up the tension to deliver the last chapter. You cannot think you know where it will go.The only problem is finding a book to read afterwards because I don't allow myself to read the next in a series, better to have a break.

All the spell binding potency of one of the worlds greatest legends with life and colour breathed into itMagnificent