The Crystal Cave: The Arthurian Saga, Book 1

I first read the Crystal Cave in 1971 (I was 24), and had to wait patiently for The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment and the Wicked Day. Mary Stewart is an incredible author, and masterful in engaging her readers. I have read this series 5 times (every 10-years), and pick up on things I missed during previous readings. I’m 75 now, and have decided to let Derek Perkins read me the series through Audible. I cannot express sufficient praise for his skill and artistry in presenting these marvelous volumes.I highly recommend this wonderful series to young and old alike. TEN ⭐️’s as far as I’m concerned.

An different take on the King Arthur of Britain story by an excellent writer. This is the first in a 4 part series by Mary Stewart - one of my favorite authors ever. Though written long ago - it holds up and still fascinates every step of the way. If you are a fan of the King Arthur legend - don't miss this first one of the series.

This book takes you away into another time and place. Reading an interview with Mary Stewart about the Merlin books, it ws brought out that yes she did her homework and got maps and even visited sites. But it is all made up out of her own mind. PUre fantasy.But It turned out that some places where she wrote about the terrain and added her own 'well" or path or whatevers, they existed!The interviewer said that it seemed as if she had "the sight" .I like to think that Merlin existed (he did see the Real Merlin) and that maybe she was being guided by Merlin.Then I want to take it further --and aside from Merlin being a Discoverer kind of like Tesla was, but more magical --no that is misused so much!In tune with the Spiritual nature of all creation (matter is a myth) and thereby able to do all the things that we are all supposed to be able to dobut were told we better not --by others who were not as spiritual. Until Jesus came along and said:You will do everything I did and greater things will you do --john 14:12---if He truly created us, in the beginning --where he gave us dominion--and then had to show us and tell us what he created us to do.----but only He could resurrect himself and save our souls.Would it not be nice to be able to do loaves and fishes for the hungry or manifest water in a drought situation, or step iinto the boat in the middle of the sea and "immediately" be at land? Weather control -weather is a blessing --not dangerous or an inconvenience.but that is another book and another Science. You might look up Christian Science Class Instruction Arthur Corey and read it online -find out you can't live without it --and buy it--on amazon of course!

I’ll be the first to admit that, despite reading a few Arthurian-based tales in high school and college, I am not very well versed in the Arthurian legends and consider myself a novice. However, I found that The Crystal Cave was an enjoyable ride, filled with entertainment, fantasy and high drama.It’s only my second novel from Mary Stewart, but I have a strong inclination and belief that she is just a really good writer who engages her audience. I think this is especially true with this novels because, while I had some criticisms, she overcomes them all by creating an interesting tale from young Merlin’s point of view and bringing this setting and world to authentic life.The Crystal Cave is the first in a series of Arthurian retellings, and the initial focuses on a young Merlin’s vantage point and chronicles his adventures from childhood to becoming a young man. As a youngster, Merlin begins to become aware gradually that he has a gift if you will, of second sight. One of the more prevalent scenes begins when Merlin visits a cave and has a strange vision.The crystal cave, the basis of the title, sort of comes to embody the overall symbol of Merlin’s strange, yet uncontrollable, powers that he has:“A cave. The crystal cave. Sometimes I think it is death, and at other times it is birth or a gate of vision, or a dark limbo of sleep…I cannot tell. But some day I shall know. Till then, I suppose I am not afraid of much else. I shall come to the cave in the end…”My main quibbles with The Crystal Cave were both the many, many characters and relations to keep track of, which I couldn’t begin to do, and the rather anticlimactic moments. There were so many deaths of key characters in this book, and many of them happen “off screen” if you will, and explained away in rather abrupt manners, which lessened the impact of the moment.This aside, The Crystal was an entertaining, enchanting story for the most part, and it is easy to see why this novel has quite a following. This is a novel that a reader can enjoy it they do not worry too much about the characters and their relations and the world building and instead just take it all in. I would be interested in checking out the sequels in this series.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not once was I bored and reached the end quicker than what I expected. Yes! The subject of the book..... the first book of the Autherian legend......is facinating, I find, but Mary Stewart definately has the gift of writing a good novel without having to use smut, sex and swearing....Yay! I am already reading book number 2 and still have number 3 to go, but I am very keen to read her other books. Best book I have read so far. Thank you Mary Stewart!

I Loved This Series of books. Mary Stewart is the most amazing author...the best I have ever read. I am an avid reader and am in my 70’s so I’ve read a few books. These books are filled with amazing stories, the kind that keep you guessing and wondering what will happen next. She knows how to keep your attention from the start while touching everything with her wonderful prose and occasional poetry. A feast for the mind and spirit!

Couldn't get into it. My whole bookclub couldn't get through it.

Klasyka, czyta się jednym tchem. Godna polecenia dla miłośników Merlina i czasów Arturiańskich.Jedną gwiazdkę odejmuję za pobrudzony na grzbiecie egzemplarz i pozaginany róg w tylnej okładce. Poza tym z prawej strony strony w całym egzemplarzu są zadrukowane aż lewego marginesu (do środka), tak że słabo się to czyta, a książka może się porozklejać, jak będę ją rozwierać na siłę.Druk duży, wyraźny, chociaż czcionka jakby lekko zamazana i czasem brakujące fragmenty liter.Gdyby nie to, że to pierwszy tom, który teraz mam czas czytać pewnie bym odesłała do wymiany.Okładka też nie jest taka jak na zdjęciu w ofercie.Dokupiłam kolejne 2 tomy. Można też kupić 3 tomy w twardej oprawie, ale to wydanie jest bardziej lekkie i poręczne. Super lektur, polecam

Mary Stewart was a gifted writer. ( She passed away in 2014). Her use of language is a joy to read. Her words paint a vivid picture which transports the reader to the time and place. Added to that this book is a brilliant, fascinating read. It brings to life all the legends of Merlin to life in a way that is imaginative but believable. I am looking forward to reading all the others in this series. I highly recommend this book as an imaginative and engrossing read.

Escrito con elegancia y hermosos detalles que nos hacen sentir como testigos cercanos de los hechos a través de los cuales Merlin entreteje la trama de la leyenda artúrica.

I loved this book 20 years ago and love it now. Excellently and magically written. Mary Stewart is a master story teller who weaves magic into her story to cast you aloft on an adventure through the mists of time.

Muy chulo. La verdad es que me ha gustado mucho y encima trata la temática de Merlin, muchas veces olvidada.