Ballad of Sir Dinadan, The (Gerald Morris) - [Squire's Tales, The 05]

Young Dinadan has no wish to joust or quest or save damsels in distress.Can he find honor another way?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, ORCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist
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