Hollow Hills (Arthurian Saga)
Hollow Hills (Arthurian Saga) book cover

Hollow Hills (Arthurian Saga)

Paperback – September 29, 1996

Price
$61.96
Format
Paperback
Pages
512
Publisher
Ballantine Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0449911730
Dimensions
5.5 x 1.25 x 8.25 inches
Weight
15.9 ounces

Description

From the Publisher If you haven't read Mary Stewart's Arthurian Saga, you don't know what you're missing. They are must reads for any romance reader, for any lover of Arthurian legend, for any history buff, for any voracious reader, and may be the books to get non-readers started. Basically, they should be read by everyone! Mary Stewart's research for these books is phenomenal. Her understanding of myth and its relationship to fact is remarkable. The books are complex, yet incredibly inviting and you will absolutely love the characters. They also weave together so beautifully that you won't be able to read only one. Two things I find particularly interesting in this series is the portrayal of Arthur and the fall of Camelot. Arthur represents all of humanity in these books as opposed to the more mythical figure you usually see. And the fall of Camelot is more internal rather than external--more about the passions and lusts in the heart rather than a more obvious loss of power. The books go in this order: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment, The Wicked Day. Shauna Summers, Senior Editor From the Inside Flap t tale realized by premier novelist, Mary Stewart, here is the spellbinding, suspenseful story of how Merlin, the Enchanter, helped Arthur become king of all Britain, in an extraordinary story that brings the legend Merlin and his protege Arthur to glowing life."Enthralling."LIBRARY JOURNAL From the Paperback edition.

Features & Highlights

  • A magnificent tale realized by premier novelist, Mary Stewart, here is the spellbinding, suspenseful story of how Merlin, the Enchanter, helped Arthur become king of all Britain, in an extraordinary story that brings the legend Merlin and his protege Arthur to glowing life."Enthralling."LIBRARY JOURNAL
  • From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(701)
★★★★
25%
(292)
★★★
15%
(175)
★★
7%
(82)
-7%
(-81)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

Forget the Cruise!

I was on a Caribbean cruise when I read this book. After about 40 pages, I had no interest in blue water or glamorous ports-of-call. To read this book is to understand Merlin. Call it "fiction;" I couldn't put it down. Read it! Add it to your library now!
9 people found this helpful
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Merlin Comes To Life!...Beautiful and Enchanting tale

Merlinus Ambrosius, gifted physician and enchanter is vividly brought to life in this historical fiction by Mary Stewart. The gift of this book is how Stewart "humanizes" all of the characters, she literally brings them to life right before our eyes and the results are unforgettable.
This is a painstakingly detailed account of the pre Camelot legend from Merlin's prospective. There is no better telling of the rise of King Arthur, and you will have chills when you read Stewart's account of the how he pulled the sword from the stone. It's as if you are right there in the midst of the action. The entire book is mesmerizing!
Every page is drenched in imagery and descriptive detail. Mary Stewart has a very sharp pen, and a strong command of the english language. She tells a fascinating and beautiful tale. Don't miss this one.
Four stars because it moves slow, but is well worth your time.
Cris
3 people found this helpful
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Amazing Arthurian

I have read many books about the Arthurian legend. This book happens to be one of the best. Mary Stewart is a professional at capturing the essense of true English writing. She has proved herself the master of knowledge and unbidden storytelling with interesting characters and prose.
1 people found this helpful
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MERLIN TELLS THE TRUE TALE OF KING ARTHUR

This is a wonderful telling of the King Arthur legend from Merlin's point of view. Merlin is an engaging character who becomes more human through Ms. Stewart's literary skills. This is a long novel but quite worth your time. The pace picks up speed midway through the novel and moves quickly towards the conclusion. I enjoyed learning things about Arthur that T. H. White in the Once and Future King doesn't tell the reader. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
1 people found this helpful
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An old legend.expanded.

This is a replacement for a well used trade paperback. I adore the first two books of the Merlin/Arthur story ( haven't read the third one yet, aftraid to) by Mary Stewart. She was a very good writer. Most of her stories include a bit of mysticism but this series has magic flowing through the entire story..

This book covers the time from the day after Arthur's conception to when he was crowned king. The legend is intact but expanded in wonderful ways.
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Very fine "quest" tale

Some reviewers unaccountably didn't like this book, comparing it negatively to the other two in the "Merlin" trilogy of Mary Stewart. I thought it was excellent. It's just about as good as the thrilling first one--and better than the third.

But they are all good novels, worth reading and rereading. And while you're at it, read her 4th Arthurian book, although it's not of the Merlin series, THE WICKED DAY, which takes Arthur and Mordred through to the end.
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So Far - The Best

Mary Stewart's view of Arthur and, in particular Merlin, is as refreshing and as engrossing as anything I've read. These books are really top notch. I liked this one even better than the first (The Crystal Cave}. I can hardly wait to read the other two now. For anyone who is as enthralled with the Arthurain legend as I am, I highly recommend that they read this series. It's the best I've read so far.
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Almost unreadable!

I loved Mary's "The Crystal Cave." Maybe I am too stupid to understand the art of words in this book. Maybe I'm not. Either way, I could not finish "The Hollow Hills." Chapter 1 was strait out boring. I dragged myself through it, presevering. It'll get better, I told myself. Boy was I wrong. I survived chapters 2, 3, 4 etc. No, I won't take you step-by-step through all of them. When Merlin got back to his cave, things became so incredibly boring I could not bear to go on. Besides that, this book would focus more on the *Arthur* myth, and Arthur is, to me, the most boring character in Arthurian legend (tragic, isn't it?). Give me Morgan le Fay or Gawain over him any day. Now, for a book on this subject, "The Hollow Hills" is superb. But for a sequel to the breathtaking "Crystal Cave"... Middling. Average. Also... Understand that I've been able to pull through the boring moments in "Mists" and the wordiest historical novels one would ever lay eyes on.
Oh well. At least what I read of "The Hollow Hills" was better than "King and Raven".