The White Raven
by Diana L. Paxson
Book Summary Information
Author: Diana L. PaxsonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1989-08
ISBN: 0380752298
Publisher: Avon Books (Mm)
Book Reviews of The White Raven
Book Review: Odd perspective on this classic tale
Summary: 3 Stars
The White Raven is the classic love story of Tristan and Isolde, but it is told by someone who was slightly outside of the story. Her name is Branwen and she is Isolde's (spelled differently in the book: Esseilte) cousin and best friend and they were raised as sisters.
As the author points out in her ending authors note Branwen is essential to this love story. Esseilte is married to Tristan's (in this novel Drustan) uncle, the high king of Cornwall. But on the voyage from Ireland to Cornwall Esseilte and Drustan manage to drink a love potion accidentally and are forever entwined. (In this version Esseilte was trying to poison Drustan and herself because he killed her uncle, Branwen's father.) Anyway, the point is, none of it would have worked without Branwen to stand guard and make us excuses for the sometimes absent queen of Cornwall. She even has to take her cousins place on her wedding night so that the king, Mark, will think he married a virgin.
Only something happens. Branwen and Mark don't just consummate his marriage to Esseilte, they make the great marriage and become in a sense the green king and queen-living representations of the land and its forever servants. Of course, Esseilte doesn't know that. Branwen is also in love with Mark, but he doesn't know it wasn't Esseilte on his wedding night. And Esseilte and Drustan can't keep their hands off each other.
The situation is a mess and Branwen has to clean it up again and again. So her point of view is interesting, but I feel a little cheated on the romance-you get nothing really of Tristan and Isolde in this book because Branwen is telling the story. Her own love life is interesting-but this is one of the greatest love stories of all time and we get so little of it in this book.
Other than the political mish-mash in this book is impossible to follow. Too many old names that are hard to remember and track. The genealogy charts are no help what so ever.
Basically, three stars. Nice writing, but I'm still looking for a really good retelling of the tale.
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