Dreamers of the Grail

The story of Perceval and Galahad’s quest for the Holy Grail gets an ambitious retelling in Geraldson’s action-packed if overstuffed debut. A chance encounter with a group of knights gives Perceval the opportunity to leave his mundane life on the farm behind and seek adventure. Meanwhile, Galienne (who later takes the name Galahad) seeks a life beyond the simple one expected of women and finds purpose in King Arthur’s court. The novel intertwines their tales from their teenage years through every milestone in the Arthurian legends, from brewing rebellions, to love and loss, and ultimately finding the mythical chalice. Though Geraldson provides a unique perspective on familiar events, some major moments—including Arthur’s ultimate duel against Mordred—are given curiously short shrift in the overly dense tangle of plots and subplots. Readers enamored of Arthurian legend will appreciate Geraldson’s meticulous update—particularly his smart twists on well-established characters—but those interested in a fast-paced adventure will want to look elsewhere. [em](BookLife) [/em]