Gene Wolfe
The Knight (2004)
Author: Gene Wolfe
Genre: Fantasy (Sword and Sorcery/Epic)
Plot Summary:
Able finds his way to another world while walking through the forest. Once there he meets a woman named Parka that renames him Able of the High Heart. Luckily Able meets Bold Berthold who believes Able is his long lost brother and teaches him the workings of the Mythgarthr, and how to use a bow and arrow. There are seven worlds, in Able's new reality, he lives in Mythgarthr the fourth world. While in the forest Able meets Disira a Queen of the Aelf in the world below Mythgarthr, Aelfrice. After sleeping with her he grows and becomes not only taller but stronger, and suddenly a man. Disira knights him and tells him of the sword Eterne, and until he gets it he will not wear a sword. In Mythgarthr a sword is the symbol of knighthood because Able does not wear one he is constantly proving himself to those around him. He swears to Disira that he will get the sword and begins his quest to find it. SPOILEROn the way Able swears feality to Duke Marder in hopes of becoming a real knight. He goes to make a stand in the mountains and fight any one that wants to cross to prove himself a true knight to the other knights. On the way Able ends up going into the land of the giants. While he is there he discovers the sword Eterne's location. Able gets the sword after a battle with a dragon.
Geographical Setting: Mythgarthr and Aelfrice
Time Period: Present Day Mythgarthr.
Series: Wizard Knight (Book 1 of 2)
Appeal Characteristics:
The story is written as a letter to Able's brother Ben in Britain, therefore it is written after the events take place, but it is still written from Able's point of view. It is a coming of age story, and deals with Able coming to terms with his sudden manhood. It is also an adventure story in which the quest plays a central role. Although there the book is rich in detail there is also a lot of dialog, and the chapters are short, which keeps the story moving forward. The characters are well developed. There are a lot of characters, however Wolfe warns readers of this in the first chapter and provides a list of the characters and a short description.
Read-alikes: The second and final book in the series is The Wizard which continues the story of Able. For those who enjoy the coming of age aspect of Knight might also enjoy Enemy Glory by Karen Michalson, which tells the story of a wizard's education. The hero of the story is Llewelyn, who is forced to tell his life story when accused of treason. Enemy Glory is followed by Helcates Glory, which continues the story of Llewelyn where Enemy Glory leaves off. Although slower paced Little, Big by John Crowley might also be of interest to those who enjoyed Able's quest (done in part to be worthy of D---). In Little BigSmokey Barnable must find his way to Edgewood, where he is going to marry Daily Alice Drinkwater as prophesied. Book of Knights by Yves Meynard might also be of interest as it is also a coming of age tale of a young boy seeking to be a knight, who ages overnight. In Book of Knights Adelrune runs away from home and seeks to be come a knight, he encounters a sage named Riander and literally ages six years overnight, although his mind remains that of a young boy. For readers who enjoyed how Able learned his knew world, and its inhabitants, A Voyage to Arcturus, by David Lindsay might be of interest, although it does have elements of Science Fiction. Maskull journeys to the planet Tormance, when he is separated from his companions he must learn about the planet and its inhabitants on his own.
Red Flags:
Sexual content, violence.
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