Squire's Tale

Though Sir Lancelot enjoys more popularity, the greatest knight of the Round Table is arguably Sir Gawain of Orkney, nephew to King Arthur. In the Squire's Tale Gerald Morris sets out to remedy the shocking lack of good stories about Gawain. And he does so in a way that's both outrageously funny and charmingly irreverent.

Terence is a young boy who lives with a hermit in the woods. When he comes across Gawain, who is on his way to Camelot to become a knight of the Round Table, he agrees to become his squire. He and Gawain embark on a series of bizarre and hilarious quests involving lovesick knights, cruel ladies, stewpots, jousting, and magic. Along the way they must deal with Gawain's troubled past, and discover the secret of Terence's real parentage. But they also struggle with the true meaning of honor, loyalty, and what it means to be a knight of the Round Table. Be ever true to your God; protect always your neighbor; honor always your king.

Put aside all your preconceived notions of Arthurian legend. Nothing is safe or sacred in Gerald Morris' stories except King Arthur himself. The result is an entertaining look at the stories of the Round Table. Stripped of the abject romanticism (and highbrow language) of most serious retellings, the Squire's Tale is a fun adventure for young and old readers alike.

Review by Lauren Shearer
Lauren Shearer writes words for fun and profit. She also makes films, but everyone knows you can't make a profit doing that. Her other hobby is consistently volunteering way too much of her time. You can read more of her reviews here.