Title: The Lost Book of the Grail
Author: Charlie Lovett
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: "Arthur Prescott is happiest when surrounded by the ancient books and manuscripts of the Barchester Cathedral library. His one respite is his time spent nestled in the library, nurturing his secret obsession with the Holy Grail and researching his perennially unfinished guidebook to the medieval cathedral. [...]
But when a beautiful young American named Bethany Davis arrives in Barchester charged with the task of digitizing the library’s manuscripts, Arthur’s tranquility is broken. Appalled by the threat modern technology poses to the library he loves, he sets out to thwart Bethany, only to find in her a kindred spirit with a similar love for knowledge and books—and a fellow Grail fanatic.
Bethany soon joins Arthur in a quest to find the lost Book of Ewolda, the ancient manuscript telling the story of the cathedral’s founder. And when the future of the cathedral itself is threatened, Arthur and Bethany’s search takes on grave importance, leading the pair to discover secrets about the cathedral, about the Grail, and about themselves." - From back cover
My Thoughts
When Lovett set out to write this book he must have thought, 'I'm going to write a book about everything Rachel loves.' Set in rural England a story with a protagonist who loves books, the legend of King Arthur, historical architecture, ancient traditions, and spending time in a library. Oh, and there is a secret held and guarded by only one person at a time that has been passed down for generations. There was no chance that I could possibly dislike this book.
It was seriously so good, that there is only one thing that I can say that stands out as not quite perfect; the fact that Arthur gives up the secret his grandfather asked him to keep for years to Bethany after he thinks she is a spy for a rich American looking for the grail. He simply trusts her after she says her feelings are hurt that he didn't trust her, lame and unrealistic. I get that the story had to move on but people don't just give up secrets held for 30+ years just like that.
Besides that, I love the flashbacks to different parts of the cathedral's history and the passing of the guardianship from one person to the next. It is a nice touch that each chapter begins with a description of the history of a part of the cathedral from the Barchester Guidebook that sets the scene for that chapter. The suspense and mystery, legend and lore make it so hard to not read it all in one sitting.
I'm also seriously considering reading Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory after reading this novel. I've read The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle but that is a more modern adaptation (1903).
It was seriously so good, that there is only one thing that I can say that stands out as not quite perfect; the fact that Arthur gives up the secret his grandfather asked him to keep for years to Bethany after he thinks she is a spy for a rich American looking for the grail. He simply trusts her after she says her feelings are hurt that he didn't trust her, lame and unrealistic. I get that the story had to move on but people don't just give up secrets held for 30+ years just like that.
Besides that, I love the flashbacks to different parts of the cathedral's history and the passing of the guardianship from one person to the next. It is a nice touch that each chapter begins with a description of the history of a part of the cathedral from the Barchester Guidebook that sets the scene for that chapter. The suspense and mystery, legend and lore make it so hard to not read it all in one sitting.
I'm also seriously considering reading Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory after reading this novel. I've read The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle but that is a more modern adaptation (1903).
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above
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