The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf

by Gerald Morris

Book Overview

Her castle under siege by an evil knight who keeps beheading all her would-be rescuers, Lady Lynet realizes the only way to get help is to get it herself. So one night she slips away and strikes out... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395971268
• ISBN13: 9780395971260
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.7" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

I'm not worthy! Best book EVER!

I would honestly give this book more stars if I could! Don't be deceived into thinking this is simply a kids book--whilst I thoroughly recommend it as a great read for kids and teens, it is in fact fabulous literary fodder for readers of any age, especially those with a fascination for Arthurian legends, or anyone interested in seeing Sir Thomas Malory's work Le Morte D'Arthur updated and made more accessible. This is the BEST interpretation of the tale 'The Kitchen Knight' that I have ever read (and I've read a few of them). This one actually explains all the loose ends and incomprehensible plot twists that the original version contained, and improves the story no end. Gerald Morris is a truly gifted author, and I frequently laughed out loud at the delightful, witty dialogue in this book. So enthralled was I that once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down, not even to go to sleep (my eyes were red and puffy the next day, but it was worth it!) Not only that, but as soon as I finished it, I started reading it all over again. It was just that good! I loved the underlying premise of this story--that beauty is more than just skindeep, and that one should not choose their friends and allies just for their looks. None of the main characters in this book are what they seem, and the fun is in unravelling the mysteries surrounding them. I adored the character of Lady Lynet--she is brave, smart and not afraid to speak her mind or take chances. Furthermore, she is a big, strong girl with a healthy appetite, which makes her a very refreshing change from your usual insipid, willow-thin, eat-like-a-sparrow heroines. And although she starts out as a damsel in distress, she is never a weak and helpless girl, but rather a resourceful go-getting kind of woman. Truly, Lynet is an inspiration for girls today. I find it interesting that her character is written by a male writer. Gerald Morris obviously has a deep respect for strong, capable girls...as should we all! Lady Lynet finds her match in the dwarf, Roger, who is as interesting a character as you'll ever find, and a wonderful choice of male lead. Most authors would have cast a tall, handsome, gallant knight in shining armour as the hero of the story. Not so this author! And I'm glad. Roger is absolutely brilliant, and far more endearing than any of the knights in the book, even the great and witty Sir Gawain. Although part 3 of a series, this book is a stand alone work that can be read independently of the others without any qualms or misunderstandings. The other reviewers who gave this five stars are right--this is an incredible, funny, intelligent book, and one not to be missed!

A great Arthurian romance

I figured that this book couldn't be as good as the previous two, if Gawain and Terence have minimal roles. But instead we have a few of the holes filled into their lives in the forms of a mysterious dwarf named Roger and a fiery young woman named Lynet.Quite annoyingly, a killer knight has appointed himself the champion of Lynet's sister, Lyonesse. Lyonesse is an air-headed, blonde ditz, while plain Lynet sets off to King Arthur's court to find a champion-without revealing who she is. She ends up taking a fancy-talking kitchen boy to do battle with the knight, but virtually everyone she meets has a strange secret...Lynet is a glorious heroine, a gal who is unafraid to threaten someone with a spear or venture to Camelot. Roger is wit incarnate, with a very surprising secret at his core. And you MUST read more about King Arthur.Some of the favorite characters return, including the excellent Morgan le Fay, who teaches Lynet some excellent lessons. It also teaches the quality of a good heart above a pretty face.

Arthurian tales to please anyone...

Each book in this series is a genuine pleasure to read! If you enjoy good fantasy, yet shy away from the Arthurian legends, please give these books a try. They are full of all the great fantasy features: quests, battles, damsels, knights, dwarves, sorcery, etc, yet do not bog you down with a confusing cast of characters.They are also written with a wonderful humorous flair, as well as a touch of romance. Just a lot of fun!

A modern Arthurian romance.

Lady Lynet, younger sister of the beautiful Lyonesse, finds that her castle is besieged by a fierce, recreant knight who is determined to have Lyonesse's hand in marriage. So, Lynet mounts a horse, determined to go to Camelot and beg King Arthur to send a knight to rescue them. Along the way, she falls in with a dwarf named Roger, a man of very little fighting ability. At Camelot, no knight will take up her cause, but only a kitchen knave, name Beaumains. Together, the three head back towards Cornwall. In the rest of the book, Lynet learns that there is more to the people around her than meets the eye.This book was quite entertaining, and is written in an easy to read style. I really enjoyed the way it began to spin off surprise after surprise late in the book. I have not read any other of Gerald Morris' other books, but I now intend to!For the purists, this novel does not portray a "realistic" Fifth Century Arthur, but is an example of a High Medieval, chivalric Arthur.

A Great Arthurian Novel

I very much enjoy a good adventure novel, and this one has plenty of disquised knights, corageous ladies, and magical sidekicks. Lynet leaves her home at the castle Perle to request Arthur's help in freeing her family from a troublesome knight. Unfortunately, the only help she can muster is a kitchen hand with a name that means "beautiful hands." She also encounters a helpful dwarf named Roger who gladly accompanies her on her quest. The travellers meet many original characters and old friends that make an appearance from Morris's other novels, A Squire's Tale and A Squire, His Knight and His Lady. A novel for anyone who likes an adventure, it also contains an inkling of romance. I read parts of it over and over!