From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9-Morris's latest retelling of Arthurian legends introduces a reluctant knight who upholds the noble standards of Camelot in his own way. The likable and unassuming Dinadan, younger brother of the famous Sir Tristram, travels the land, encountering deceptive damsels and foolish knights. His compassion and common sense earn him the respect of many, and his keen wit satirizes the excesses of Arthurian heroism that he observes along the way. The tragic tale of Tristram and Iseult becomes a funny story "about two fools drinking from the wrong flask." Dinadan befriends a would-be knight named Culloch, but can't endure the useless parade of tasks his friend eagerly attempts to win a bride. The humor is accessible; readers don't need to know The Faery Queene to appreciate Dinadan's playful mockery of allegory (or, as he calls it, "saying things by pretending to say something else"). Along with the satire, though, Dinadan succeeds in righting some true wrongs, protecting a young woman he admires, and restoring a deposed king to his throne. Morris's skilled storytelling keeps the tale moving smoothly through various plot strands featuring many characters. The humor ranges from subtle irony to scenes of pure comedy, but never distracts from the engaging plot. Fans of the previous titles or Arthurian legend in general will thoroughly enjoy Sir Dinadan, but it stands on its own as a lighthearted introduction to the period.
Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 5-9. As he explains in an appended note, Morris takes characters, plot elements, and magical devices from the legends of England and Wales and reweaves them into a new story about Sir Dinadan, who appeared as a minor character in Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. After his unlikely knighting by his drunken father, Dinadan travels through Britain and learns that while many knights are noble, some are clearly unworthy of the minstrels' praise. Traditionalists may not care for the reinterpretations of well-known characters: Tristram is foolish and babbling, despite his vow of silence, while his beloved Iseult is simpering and malicious. But readers who enjoy reinterpretations and the many who haven't read the old stories will find Dinadan an appealing protagonist. The Moorish knight Palimides, who befriends Dinadan and accompanies him on his travels, is a brand new addition to the novel. A witty tale of adventure and reflection, this is another rewarding entry in the series that began with The Squire's Tale (1998). Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"Fans of the previous titles or Arthurian legend in general will thoroughly enjoy Sir Dinadan, but it stands on its own as a lighthearted introduction to the period." School Library Journal, Starred
“Morris interweaves action with sophisticated, wry humor and deft characterization to bring to life yet another medieval tale.” VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
“A witty tale of adventure and reflection, this is another rewarding entry in the series that began with the Squire’s Tale.” Booklist, ALA
“Morris creates in Dinadan one of his most appealing protagonists. Written in accessible prose and laced with occasional magic, the novel moves at a quick pace and showcases a continually maturing hero.” Horn Book
About the Author
When Gerald Morris was in fifth grade he loved Greek and Norse mythology and before long was retelling the stories to his younger sister and then to neighborhood kids. He began carrying a notebook in which he kept some of the details related to the different stories. The joy he found in retelling those myths continued when he discovered other stories. According to Gerald Morris, "I never lost my love of retelling the old stories. When I found Arthurian literature, years later, I knew at once that I wanted to retell those grand tales. So I pulled out my notebook . . . I retell the tales, peopling them with characters that I at least find easier to recognize, and let the magic of the Arthurian tradition go where it will." Gerald Morris lives in Wausau, Wisconsin, with his wife and their three children. In addition to writing he serves as a minister in a church.
