Song Of The Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Song Of The Sparrow
Book Review: A wonderful addition to the Arthurian legends
Summary: 5 Stars
Something about King Arthur draws people to his stories. Gwynivere. Lancelot. The wizard, Merlin. Gawain. Tristan. The Round Table. The sword, Excalibur. Throughout the centuries the legend of Arthur continues to grow.
Britain, 490 A.D.
The adventurous Elaine of Ascolat, known throughout the myths as The Lady of Shallot, lives with her father in one of Britain's war camps. He is an avid supporter of Britain and has joined the army to serve his king and country. Ambrosius Aurelius, leader of all Britons, is about to lead his people into the battle of Mount Breguoin against the Saxon army. Britain is on the brink of war, again.
Elaine has been raised to believe that a woman's domain is in the home, not on the battlefront. But when she thinks of her father and brothers and the other men she's grown to care for, she feels she's in the right place. The people she loves most could march off to battle today and never come back. Why would she want to be anywhere else?
The only other girl at camp is Morgan, Arthur's older sister, but she's much too close to the king for Elaine to share her deepest secret with --- Elaine is in love with Lancelot. Elaine and Lancelot grew up together, playing games and running along the riverbanks, but all that was long ago. Now when Lancelot looks at her, all he sees is a wonderful girl. He sees a gifted healer, a girl armed with milfoil and poultices to stanch the wounds of the soldiers. He sees her skill at mending clothing and chain mail. He sees her loyalty, her hard work and her vital job within the army. But he doesn't see a woman.
When King Aurelius is poisoned by a Saxon spy, Arthur is the obvious replacement. Young, powerful, intelligent and already popular among the troops, Arthur would lead the retaliation attack. Days before they leave, a beautiful woman arrives at camp. Gwynivere is supposed to be for Arthur, the new king, but immediately Elaine can see that Lancelot's eyes are drawn to her. The men who mean so much to her will soon march to battle, leaving her behind at the camps. The man she loves is falling for someone else, and since Lancelot doesn't yet see Elaine as a woman, who can blame him? With all that Elaine holds dear weighing in the balance, she must decide who she will be, what role she will play and how far she will go for love.
Written entirely in free verse poetry, SONG OF THE SPARROW is a wonderful addition to the Arthurian legends, offering readers an inside look into the mysterious Lady of Shallot. Lisa Ann Sandell weaves together lyrical images and vivid characters to create a compelling romance between two of the famous players in Arthur's world. Elaine's story transports readers and dares them to imagine a time long ago --- when powerful men vied to rule the land through war, the weak had to fight for their rights, and the common people dreamed of equality and hope. A time not so unlike our own.
--- Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens
Book Review: Amazing book
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this book while browsing through Amazon's lists and reviews. Even though there was no summary for the book, I ordered it, based on the lone review, and the fact that I liked the cover.
I was rather surprised to open the book and find it told in verse format (I think that's what it's called - it's not really poems, but like prose or verse). I've never read a book like that, and from the review and lack of summary, I'd assumed it was a novel. I had been ridiculously excited, being a fan of stories like the Round Table and Arthur and medieval times, but a little less thrilled at the format. But I told myself I'd give it a try, read a couple of chapters.
The story was amazing. It's a retelling of Elaine of Ascolat as a teenager in Arthur's (then military leader, not yet King) military camp, surrounded by all the young Knights of the Round Table (Arhtur, Lancelot, Tristan, Gawain). As the only girl, aside from Arthur's older sister, she has a special, unique position in the camp, until beautiful and snobby Gwynivere comes along. Gwynivere also catches the attention and affection of Lancelot, whom Elaine has had a crush on since childhood. Told within this setting and legend is Elaine's growing up, coming-of-age story/moment/adventure.
I don't really understand the purpose of the format, but it read like a really fast book. I finished it in a couple of hours and then immediately went looking for more on the legend of Elaine (aka, the Lady of Shalott - I just kept thinking of that scene from Anne of Green Gables...). I was surprised at the parts of the original legend that made it into this story. This book also re-interested me in Meg Cabot's Avalon High, which I had to track down so I could reread it after reading this amazing version.
Bottom line, great story that sparked further interest in the legend.
Book Review: Amazing book that gives an insight of what might have happened so long ago
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is an amazing book. When I first received it I was a little discouraged about the fact that the book was written in free verse poetry but if you want to you can just read it like it was a normal book. This story is full of romance and promises, adventures and tragedies. This is probably the best book I have read in a few months. This is a great book if you are studying free verse poetry but I would personally not recommend this book if you are looking for something with a lot of foreshadowing, etc... If you are looking for symbolism you will hit the jackpot but you have to look deeply because it might not be apparent to the human eye. I personally think that no matter who you are and what kind of books you read you will enjoy this book because it has a little bit of everything.Book Review: Beautifully told tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Usually I do find stories written in verse too gimicky, but in this case the verse adds clarity to the voice of Elaine and the beauty in the language is a joy to read.Book Review: Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Summary: 5 Stars
Sixteen-year-old Elaine of Ascolat is amazingly beautiful with her long red hair and her soft natural face. Living in an army camp full of all guys, Elaine figures the handsome Lancelot to be her true love. Until her troubles and daydreams get the best of her, when even prettier Gwynivere arrives at the camp and is immediatley drawn to Lancelot - even though she is engaged to Arthur.
Gwynivere's mean remarks but beautiful outer self makes Elaine jealous enough to play a cruel prank on her, but when her friends and family leave her to go fight the Saxons, her heart tells her to pack a bag and go with them to heal the wounded. Shot by arrows and cut by a knife, Elaine gains both friendship and confidence in herself.
This exciting book by Lisa Ann Sandell makes you feel like you are back in olden times, right there fighting with Elaine. This is a VERY well-written book and I recommend it to all. A great read!
Reviewed by: Holly