The Chronicles of the Holy Grail: The Ultimate Quest from the Age of Arthurian Literature

The third in a series edited by Mike Ashley. The Chronicles of the Holy Grail contains many short stories of Arthurian theme, the stories are all either modern shorts, or original 19th and 20th century versions of classics. This book in the anthology centers around the Grail legends - which is a staple of the Western European Mythological Tradition. If you are new to Arthurian literature, would like to get some exposure, or are a student and would like a nice anthology of short stories, Ashley delivers in a very readable and enjoyable way.

This collection contains twenty-two stories, thirteen original to this volume, and the others covering publications from 1849-1988. The book is set out to foollow the Grail's chronology from its arrival in Britain, through the appearance to Arthur's knights and their subsequent quest adventures, to its final revelation to Lancelot. Appended are stories, as oposed to the earlier legends, taking place after the grail vanishes, and even possible present day reappearances. The range of authors and different periods of writing provide a wealth of variations on the theme. Influences from the Welsh legends, Roman references and various prior tellings add richness to the overall efect. Despite the underlying grail theme, there's not the boredom of too much sameness between stories, thanks to the various authorial voices and so much available source material. Recommended for the new fiction, plus reprints of rare pieces, "The Chronicles of the Holy Grail" should delight both fantasy readers and Arthurian scholars.