Title: Parsifal’s Page
Author: Gerald Morris
First published January 1, 2001
232 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780618055098 (ISBN10: 0618055096)
Rating: 4.05
Overview
Desperate to escape his mundane life as a blacksmith’s son, Piers jumps at the chance to join a knight on his quest. But when the knight is killed by the unconventional Parsifal, Piers must reevaluate his idea of knighthood.
As they embark on their own adventure, Piers and Parsifal discover that being a true knight involves more than just armor and fighting skills. Along the way, they must confront their own flaws and weaknesses to achieve their ultimate goal.
In Parsifal’s Page, Gerald Morris weaves a humorous and action-packed Arthurian tale filled with magic and, of course, true love.
About the Author
Meet Gerald Morris – a highly acclaimed author who has won numerous awards for his captivating retellings of Arthurian legends, aimed at preteens and teens.
His first series, The Squire’s Tales, follows the adventures of a squire named Terence and his knight, Sir Gawain, throughout ten books starting with The Squire’s Tale in 1998.
For younger readers, Morris created his second series, The Knights’ Tales, which includes the books The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great and The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short, both published in 2008.
Born in 1963 in Riverside, California to Russell A. Morris, Gerald Morris received his education from Oklahoma Baptist University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He is happily married to Rebecca Hughes, and they have three children. Morris currently resides in Wausau, Wisconsin, but has also lived in Oklahoma for a short period of time.
Alongside writing, Morris is also a theology teacher and serves as a pastor for a church.
Editoral Review
Parsifal’s Page, written by Gerald Morris, is a historical fiction novel that was published on January 1, 2001. Morris is a well-known childrens author, particularly for his work in the middle-grade genre.
Parsifal’s Page is an installment in Morris’s Squire’s Tales series, which features tales about King Arthur and his knights. In this particular work, Morris tells the story of an unlikely hero who must navigate the dangerous world of medieval knights, jousting, and court intrigue.
The story follows Parsifal, a young boy who dreams of becoming a knight. When he first sets out on his journey, he is nave and inexperienced, but he is determined to prove himself.
Through a series of adventures, Parsifal befriends Sir Gawain and becomes his squire. Together, they journey to the court of King Arthur, where Parsifal must prove himself to the king and his knights.
One of the most notable strengths of the book is its vivid and well-researched historical setting. Morris does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the world of medieval knights and courtly romance.
The descriptions of armor, jousting, and court ceremonies are detailed and engaging, making the reader feel as though they are experiencing these events firsthand. Additionally, Morris weaves in real historical figures and events, such as the exploits of Sir Gawain and the attempts to unite England under King Arthur.
The characters in the book are also well-developed, particularly Parsifal. Morris does an excellent job of showing Parsifal’s growth and maturation over the course of the narrative.
He begins as a nave young boy, but by the end of the book, he has become a skilled knight who has earned the respect of his peers. Similarly, the other characters in the book, such as Sir Gawain and King Arthur, are complex and interesting.
The relationships between the characters are also well-drawn, particularly the mentor-protg relationship between Parsifal and Sir Gawain. Overall, Parsifal’s Page is a strong addition to Morris’s Squire’s Tales series.
The book is well-written, with engaging characters and a vivid historical setting. While the book is primarily a children’s novel, it will appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy stories about knights, chivalry, and adventure.
Additionally, the book has cultural significance, as it encourages readers to think about values such as bravery, loyalty, and honor.
That being said, there are some flaws in the book.
The pacing of the narrative is occasionally slow, particularly in the middle section of the book. Additionally, some readers may find the themes of chivalry and romance to be old-fashioned or outdated.
However, these are relatively minor criticisms, and overall, Parsifal’s Page is a strong and enjoyable read. In conclusion, I would recommend Parsifal’s Page to anyone who enjoys stories about knights and chivalry, particularly young readers.
The book is well-written, with engaging characters and a rich historical setting. Additionally, the themes of bravery and honor make the book relevant to contemporary issues of character and ethics.
Overall, I would rate this book as a strong 4 out of 5, due to its strengths in character development, setting, and cultural relevance.
