Thank you, llamareadsbooks for gifting this book to me in the CBR Book Exchange!
CBR14 Bingo: “Time” – This anthology moves through time, from the ancient past to the far future.
Sword Stone Table first came to my awareness through emmalita’s review. When narfna reviewed it a few weeks ago, it prompted me to move it to the top of the read pile. I have a deep affection for stories about King Arthur and Camelot that probably started with the Disney animated version, was strengthened by Monty Python, and then rounded out by The Mists of Avalon. The past two years I’ve been challenging myself to read from more voices that aren’t cis-het white and was delighted to find this anthology combining Arthur and inclusive re-imaginings.
Krishna and Northington have curated a compelling anthology, sourcing talented, diverse authors that have created an overall excellent collection of short stories. Out of the sixteen stories, only two didn’t work for me, two were just okay, but the other twelve were wonderful. Reading these made me aware that there are gaps in my Arthurian knowledge but that didn’t affect my enjoyment (I’m open to suggestions to broaden my knowledge!). Some of my particular favorites from the collection are,:
“Passing Fair and Young” by Roshani Chokshi. This story was where I quickly realized the shallowness of my knowledge. However, I loved the idea of choosing to be looked over by history, as opposed to one touched by greatness. The happy ending was especially sweet.
“Do, By All Due Means” by Sive Doyle. I’m a sucker for ladies rescuing ladies. A young woman sees a possible future as a great leader and reaches out with both hands for destiny. A hero’s journey in one quick bite. This was one of the stories that I wish was longer.
“Mayday” by Maria Dahvana Headley. When done well, I really enjoy a story told in an epistolary-style. I felt this was an good example of the form with the story of Arthur updated from 1800s to present day in America, told through items found in a lighthouse. This was another story where I felt a lack of knowledge.
“Jack and Brad and the Magician,” Anthony Rapp. Oh, this story was heartbreaking. A gay couple in the 1980s, as one of them is dying of AIDS, meets Merlin. No miracles are preformed but Merlin offers future knowledge to help ease the pain of loss.
“Black Diamond,” Alex Segura. This was a fantastic translation of Arthur’s story to present day. While I’m not much of a sportsball fan, I appreciated the framework of putting this legend within a baseball dynasty. I liked the transformation of Excaliber from sword to baseball bat. Ultimately the power isn’t in the symbol, it’s within one’s self.
“Flat White,” Jessica Plummer. I had no idea there are so many Elaines and different versions of her story. This retelling has a barista swept up in the tragic love triangle of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. This story throbs with longing and aches at being on the constant edge of heartbreak. In this version, Elaine chooses to take control of her story and walk away.
“A Shadow in Amber,” Silvia Moreno-Garcia. In the future, memories can be bought on the black market and experienced as if your own. A reclusive woman becomes obsessed with Lancelot’s memories to a terrifying degree. In a short time the story takes the reader through the emotional turmoil of the legend and leaves on wanting more, just like the woman buying the memories.
Add me to the growing list of Cannonballers that highly recommends Sword Stone Table.
My drawing in the Time square was an attempt at a sword in the stone.
