The Summer Tree

I've been re-reading (for the fourth time) The Summer Tree and felt moved to write a small review here. This is a story of epic fantasy, full of memorable characters and heart-breaking drama. Kay is a master with words, and no place showcases his poetic talent better than the Fionavar Tapestry. The Summer Tree draws you into his world of Fionavar from the first pages, and never leaves you wanting. Kay's ability to make the character's experiences the reader's experiences as well is something I can not understand, but only look on and gape. (No author I've read has so successfully made me believe in the emotions and passions of a set of characters.) I can NOT recommend this series enough. It will truly make you laugh and cry. Make you FEEL, which is what all good literature should ascribe to do.

I bought this book in Ireland, finished it in one day, and spent the next day scouring every bookshop in Dublin looking for the rest of the series. The plot is engaging and combines elements of Arthurian legends and Tolkien to great effect, but the real attraction for me is the prose. This book is beautifully written- each sentence seems to have been crafted and honed to perfection. I have since purchased all of GKK's books and each one has been a masterpiece. Although each of his books has been a joy to read, the three books of the Fionavar Tapestry remain my favorites. I have read the books countless times and yet they still have the power to move me to tears. This trilogy is without a doubt one of my most rewarding book purchases ever.

This is not a book where worlds are built; this is a book where I delve into wonderful prose and drink it like water, as I lick up every scrap of wonder at his ability to link such wonderful language with the absorbing psychology of his characters and their cultures. I first came across Guy Gavriel Kay when I was 12 years old. At the time, I also loved Madeline L'Engle, Alexander LLoyd, C.S. Lewis, Susan Cooper, Ray Bradbury Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tamara and Meredith Pierce and of course, Tolkien, to name a few. Since I had read extensively in Welsh, Greek and Arthurian mythologies as well, perhaps this helped when I read the Fionavar tapestry. Fantasy stories of this genre tend to follow a certain path that I will not at all call cliche in this case. Some spoilers ahead! In the storyline, some college friends are transported to the "world of all worlds" or what Kay refers to as the first world, where all stories come from, by a professor in our world who is a powerful person in his world. An important element to note is the many different threads from different Welsh and Celtic mythologies used, as well as Native American legends. I loved this book because it was like a grown up Narnia or Never-Ending Story in some ways, while bringing my favorite characters from different myths to life, like Arthur and Guenevere, a unicorn, and the Black Swan and much, much more. When reviewing a story like this, it is important to note that there are many different kinds of fantasy such as there are sci-fi. For instance, People get on Bradbury's case because he's not Arthur C. Clarke or Isaac Asimov, and therefore, often scientifically inaccurate. The point they're really missing, is that Bradbury is a DIFFERENT kind of storyteller than Asimov or Clarke. In much the same way, Kay is not Tolkien. He does not have to totally build worlds. This is THE world, the first world. Each of the characters who come on the journey are called there, they find, because they fill a need in that world. For instance, Paul must overcome his personal tragedy of losing his girlfriend on Earth to a car crash. Each character sacrifices themselves in some way. One character must overcome being ravaged in one of the most psychologically intense scenes ever written. In fact, Fionavar continually acts as a catalyst for each person's character. That is the most attractive element about Kay's books to my mind is the peronal struggle each character faces in the trilogy. Each reader makes about style preference. Those of us who like both character and world building love Robert Jordan, for instance. If you like characters more than technical explanations for everything, and a bit of mysterious mythology intertwined with it all, and great lanuguage, this trilogy will go straight to your heart. As it will if you'd like the final word on Arthur Lancelot and Guenevere, because since Fionovar is the original world, it is also their home, they are summoned there. For me, the Fionavar tapestry is

This was the first Guy Gavriel Kay book I read and at the time I picked it up I was having a hard time finding any fantasy novels I liked (Kept reading Mckinley over and over). This book introduced me to the Fionavar Tapestry that is key to understanding his other books such as Tigana. I have since read the Tapestry trilogy, Tigana and Song for Arbonne. This book is about a group of college students who are taken to a world where each discovers their true identity. In finding that identity, they also learn more about the new world they are now woven into. There is, of course, an impending war, gruesome creatures, deaths, deceptions and deep romance. If you are looking for a new author to read (as I was), I would suggest starting with the Fionavar tapestry and try Kay out! I look forward to and hope to enjoy all his works.

I consider myself an intellectual reader who can't even stand to look at the pictures on most fantasy books, let alone read them! Mr. Kay has changed my perception of the fantasy genre and his stories have increased my love for reading! This book started it all for me with it's story of five college students who attend a lecture which ultimately changes their lives by offering them the opportunity to enter another world, where their personalities and previous life experiences combine with new revelations, ancient history, magical, mythological events and the oldest battle ever waged to give each a sense of their unique purpose and destiny. Mr. Kay's book does not meander aimlessly down a narrow story path full of cliches, but keeps you constantly guessing, hoping, feeling and experiencing every unique and satisfying moment through the eyes of each well-developed character. Though this book stands on it's own, you will cheat yourself if you don't read the other two books in the Fionavar Tapestry. I was overjoyed when I realized that this book was just the first of three! I have read the Trilogy four times myself and have loaned the complete set out to many friends of varied personalities and interests. Each one has had only positive comments. I never received one set back!!!Do yourself a favor and indulge in every one of Mr. Kay's fabulous fantasies! This is just the book to start with!