THE WINTER KING

The author of the accomplished Richard Sharpe naval adventure novels (Sharpe's Battle, 1995, etc.) takes on Camelot in the wonderful beginning of a new series. Of course, as Cornwell acknowledges in his wry introductory note, so little is known of sixth-century Britain that "we cannot even be certain that Arthur existed," much less his knights of the round table. Cornwell is free, therefore, to present Galahad as a fine scholar, and Lancelot as a cowardly politician and pretender to Arthur's glory. But history does provide a record of the crumbling Roman Empire, the ascendancy of Christianity alongside Druidism, and a Britain besieged by invaders; and these Cornwell portrays in amazing, colorful detail. His narrator is Derfel Cadarn, one of Merlin's odd foundlings who becomes a valorous warrior for Arthur against the Saxons. Derfel witnesses an excruciating royal childbirth, strikes out in love, and embarks upon a perilous journey before the appearance of Arthur, who arrives on a black horse to turn the tide of battle. Many battles ensue, and Derfel prospers at the right hand of Arthur, but his master is the bastard son of a king and, though a hero of the common born, no sure prospect politically. Meanwhile, the aging, rather comical Merlin pursues what may be a madman's agenda on the Isle of the Dead: He hopes to coax the true, Druidic gods back to Britain and banish the silly Christians forever. His magical alliance with Arthur gives the latter the power to rid the kingdom of its enemies, yet Arthur's bravery and decency cannot conquer the whimsical, less-than-worthy Guinevere, or outmaneuver the crafty Lancelot. Great battle scenes and brilliant political intrigue swirl about a cast of legendary but very human characters. The redoubtable Cornwell strikes again.