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Here is Merlin as he has never been seen before. Spawn of Lucifer, begotten by a virgin, not wholly man or devil. From within the prison of a crystal cave, Merlin gazes back on his wild and wicked life and relives the bawdy intimacies of Camelot. His own conception, attended by his demonic uncles Astarot and Beelzebub. His part in the illicit coupling of Igrayne and Uther Pendragon. And his artifices in procuring for Arthur his half-sister Morgan Le Fay. But this is also the story of Merlin's struggle to escape his destiny (the Antichrist striking back at Heaven)---and to foil the works of the Prince of Darkness.
Merlin, a being born of both demonic and human lineage, recounts his life from the confines of a crystal prison while attempting to subvert his dark destiny. As the son of Lucifer and a virgin, Merlin occupies a liminal space between humanity and the infernal. He navigates the political and magical landscape of Camelot, orchestrating the rise of Arthur Pendragon while grappling with his own inherent nature. The narrative is presented as a retrospective account, detailing his involvement in the illicit affairs of the royal court and his ongoing conflict with his demonic heritage. His primary objective remains the evasion of his role as a potential instrument of the Antichrist.
Readers and critics often note the author's departure from traditional, idealized portrayals of the Arthurian legend in favor of a more visceral and cynical perspective. Discussion frequently centers on the balance between the character's grotesque origins and his surprisingly human vulnerabilities. The prose is described as dense and stylistically adventurous, often prioritizing atmosphere and character interiority over linear plot progression. Many observers highlight the effectiveness of the narrative voice, which manages to be both detached and deeply involved in the events of Camelot. The work is generally regarded as a challenging exploration of mythic archetypes that avoids standard heroic tropes.
Page Count:
1
Publication Date:
1979-01-01
Publisher:
Penguin Books, Limited
ISBN-10:
014005149X
ISBN-13:
9780140051490
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