The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight (The Squires Tales, #6) by Gerald Morris

The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight (The Squires Tales, #6) Reviews

• 
  Miss Susan

  I don't feel words are the right way to transmit my feelings about this book.
  
  A bit of this:
  
  
  
  
  Followed by this:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Turning to this:
  
  
  
  
  Summarized by these:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And people say perfection doesn't exist.
  
  
  
  
  5 stars
• 
  Nicky

  Ah, Gerald Morris is back on safer ground here, sticking to what he understand -- Chrétien and Malory. Well, you have to be a bit of an ass, to my mind, to dismiss one of Chrétien's works as a "clinker", and as I recall Chrétien never finished the tale in question himself, so...
  
  In any case, Morris' shocking inability to research aside, this one is quite fun and Lady Sarah is a fun character. There are quite a few strong, positive female characters in this one, which made it that bit more fun, and he actually writes a Lancelot I give two hoots about, so that's something.
  
  Of course, if the Arthurian legend is serious business to you, don't touch this with a barge pole, but I do find the light tone refreshing, myself.
• 
  Beth

  Not a light touch at all. This isn’t the story of someone who is passive-aggressively told to leave home already; it’s the story of someone whose home is stolen from her, and the path she chooses as a result. Sarah is more intense in personality than Dinadan (I don’t know if that’s a result of loss, though it could be) - she reacts more strongly to everything, and there’s a lot to react to, because this book has quite the busy plot. It starts with revenge and then folds in kidnappings, enchantments, the quiet younger sister, the forester still looking to redeem his honor, Terence and Gawain, and a theme about fraud and mob violence.
  
  I don’t think it ever feels over-the-top, but it certainly is full.
  
  Here’s the thing. There’s a central plot point straight out of the Dark Ages - the plague is coming to town, and the mob murders a Jewish peddler on its outskirts to “prevent” it. Is there a plague in Arthur’s time I’ve never heard of? Because mixing in an element so distinctly of eight centuries later creates a lot of dissonance. The setting doesn’t work for me as a result; the characters most closely related to Arthur don’t work in this book. They sort of float through, like fantastical anachronisms, and any time they have direct impact, or mention something specifically Arthurian, there’s a moment where I need to refocus - oh, right, this is an Arthurian novel, not a bubonic plague one. It helps that Lancelot is a focus, I think, since he’s never been a personality in the previous books. But there are these two disparate settings in conflict with each other, and even the force of Sarah’s personality can’t reconcile them.
  
  She might possibly be too articulate and capable of a thirteen-year-old? Too sure of herself with everyone, too good at knowing exactly which questions to ask. I wasn’t that thirteen-year-old - but I’ll give her a pass, because I certainly wanted to be. That ending, when she finds her family? I think it was completely unnecessary. And more dissonance.
• 
  Haruko reads

  Okay so I just said the previous book in this series, The Ballad Of Sir Dinadan, is my favorite one but after finishing this... I think I have to admit this is better. Dinadan has a special place in my heart but The Princess, The Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight is just a tighter story.
  
  Sarah is by far the most compelling lead Morris has written in this series. She starts the book with a vicious desire for revenge and we are immediately drawn in by the mystery surrounding her past and the immediate action she witnesses when Queen Guinevere is captured. From there, the story never slows its pace, and it’s just as fast-paced as all the other books in this series.
  
  Where this book differs from its predecessors is in its seriousness. It still has moments of the levity and humor all Morris works have, but the main themes of this book include vengeance, forgiveness, and anti-semitism, and as such it’s a bit more of a serious read.
  
  I may not have laughed as much reading this one, but I was extremely engrossed, and I appreciated how many female characters had their own arcs. Even Guinevere, who in past books I complained seemed shallow and one-dimensional, is given a more thoughtful treatment in this book, and Lancelot also becomes a more sympathetic character too.
  
  This book has one of the tighter plots in the series since from the beginning, it is focused on one goal. The character interactions are a delight, and Sarah is a joy to root for. What a satisfying book.
• 
  Amy

  Oh! I loved it I loved it I loved it!!!!!
  What amazes me about this series so far is how every book is as good as the one before it. I have yet to be disappointed. Perhaps I will be, with the eventual climax I assume will have to come, but right now I have nothing but giggles and the sweet taste of a good book. Packed with action, adventure, awesome characters...can you ask for more?
  I suppose one might say a romance but whenever Morris adds a romance it is generally oddly done...so take my word for it, this book is excellent without one.
  I loved the "sisterhood" feeling, how Sarah (the main character) goes from seeking revenge to caring about the group of women who end up surrounding her. So adorable.
  All the characters are, really. It was great to "hear back" from Piers and Gawaine and Terence and Sir Kai and even Lancelot, who I previously disliked and have grudgingly come to appreciate.
  I've always held a dislike for Arthinian legends but this series....
  It is just to good to pass up. Well worth a read!!!
  
• 
  Michael Davenport

  I would say this is one of the best, if not the best feminist books I have ever read. The males have a purpose and aren't idiot's, the protagonist goes through a hero's journey and isn't perfect from the beginning. Every character, has some sort of development.
• 
  Olga Godim

  DNF
  I read several other books of this series and was charmed, but this one - nope. Didn't work for me.
• 
  Stephanie

  (More like 3.5 stars.)
  
  OH EM GEE TEH CUTENESS!!1!!1
  
  I'm very fond of this series in general. They stick close to the more well-known versions of these tales (particularly the crazy-ass Chretien versions! yay!), but the author isn't afraid to put his own spin on things. I'm still amazed Morris made THE SWORD BRIDGE (I will never forget the all caps from the poem, never) sound vaguely plausible. Granted there was some magic involved, but Lancelot and Sarah being like "what the actual fuck?" about that whole thing ended up being highly amusing. And, as always, I will always have some fondness for a story with (a) numerous female characters who (b) enjoy one another's company. It shouldn't be a lot to expect from fiction. AND YET. Also worth noting: while this is a more idealistic Camelot than most modern retellings, Morris doesn't shy away from darker aspects either.
  
  The books in this series have a pretty obvious formula. Main character goes on an adventure, there are a number of episodic struggles while they Learn Important Lessons, and at the end there's an exposition party, during which the main character is amply rewarded. Still, the overall storytelling feels lively enough that it feels unique each time. NOT easy to accomplish with a myth that's been retold literally hundreds of times. I've been working my way through this series slowly, over the years, because I'll be sad when I'm finished.
  
  Sidenote: LOL FOREVER at the author's note where he talks about how perplexing he finds Chretien's The Knight of the Cart. My thoughts exactly.
• 
  Cinnamon

  Closure for Sir Lancelot.
  Sarah's mother and caretaker, a Jewish cloth merchant, were killed because of hatred of Jews. So Sarah made a vow to avenge their deaths by seeking out the knight who prompted the villagers to kill them. But first she needs a sword. Opportunity strikes when she crosses paths with Sir Kai and Queen Genievere. She attempts to steal Sir Kai's sword, but when she is caught, instead of harming her for stealing, Kai gives her a sword made for his son and teaches her the basics of sword fighting. Then Sarah is thrown off of her quest when the queen and Sir Kai are kidnapped by a knight and she is the only witness. She travels to Camelot to tell King Arthur and is asked to travel along with Gawain and Terence as they set out to find the queen.
  Along the way, Sarah becomes separated from Gawain and falls in with knight who looks less than desirable but can fight better than anyone she has ever seen. Soon she finds out that the knight is none other than Sir Lancelot. Together, they travel to a magical castle where the queen is being held. As they attempt to rescue her, Lancelot comes to terms with himself, and Sarah finds that revenge is not always so sweet.
  One of my favorite of the Squire's Tale series.
• 
  Reading Through the Lists

  As someone who has never liked Sir Lancelot...I now love Sir Lancelot.
  
  5 stars, best in the series so far.
• 
  Veronica

  This series is so reliable! I've actually never read this volume before (I think I must have left off at Parsifal's Page or A Ballad for Sir Dinadan when I was a kid?), but as always, Morris somehow manages to combine extremely gory Arthurian legend with an endearing protagonist and humorous dialogue to come up with a light-hearted middle grade read. This particular book touches on the deadly consequences of medieval antisemitism -- the heroine, already orphaned at the beginning of the book, eventually reveals that she had been adopted by a Jewish cloth merchant, and both he and her mother were murdered by villagers incited by claims of blood libel, a fate which she herself only narrowly avoided. While Sarah is willing to tag along on the quest to rescue Queen Guinevere, she is mainly motivated by the desire to get revenge. My one primary qualm with this book, and this is certainly not uncommon in children's books, is that Sarah's desire to kill the people who have caused her absolutely incalculable harm (and have shown zero repentance) is framed as... not evil, exactly, but bloodthirsty and worthy of reprimand. I don't think it's really up adults who have been allowed to form their own moral codes, or those who have not suffered in general, to impose a policy of forgiveness or nonviolence on other people! But I think it's hard to have a coherent message about violence in general in books about Arthurian legend, especially one for children.
• 
  Merry

  It's incredible that even though Lancelot went into hiding 7 years ago, anyone and everyone knows who and where he is if they need to find him. Buddy... you're not as slick as you think you are.
  
  I'm so glad Gerald Morris didn't shy away from actual historical middle ages stuff here, like mass murders of Jews. Kind of a bummer that Sarah didn't turn out to actually be Jewish, and that she didn't actually even kill the guy who orchestrated her parents' deaths, and also kinda a bummer that Lancelot and Arielle were judging her so harshly for killing the dude who was physically responsible for her parents' deaths.
  
  I'm glad Guinevere was more of a grown-up in this novel than the first two Squire books, because her idiotic behavior felt like a cheap/easy shot, especially when Morris gave so much more heart and understanding to Gawain. Lancelot got some really good motivation in this, but I still feel like Morris did him a bit dirty.
  
  This book felt like a "return" to the Squire books, much closer in spirit to the first 2 in the series. Although... Terrence has become such an inscrutable, non-human kind of guy that I kind of don't like him anymore. Also, if Lady Eileen was in this book, I literally don't remember it at all.
• 
  Victoria Blandino

  The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung Cart Knight is the sixth book in the Squire’s Tales series and introduces Sarah — a mysterious young girl seeking revenge on the knight who brutally murdered her family. After witnessing the kidnapping of Queen Guinevere and Sir Kai, Sarah’s plans for revenge take a detour and she finds herself on a quest to save the queen with the legendary Sir Gawain and his squire Terence. Along the journey, Sarah’s understanding of the world expands and she discovers that exacting revenge on her enemies is going to be far more complicated than she anticipated.
  
  Although full of intense moments and deep moral quandaries, The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung Cart Knight doesn’t take itself too seriously. Morris tackles complex topics with a deft hand and includes plenty of his trademark wit. This book is incredibly imaginative and is full of thrilling adventure, surprising twists, and lots of heart. Sarah is a compelling and memorable heroine and the supporting cast of characters are wonderful.
  
  ✨MINOR SPOILERS✨ My favorite aspect of this book has to be how Morris writes the aftermath of Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot’s notorious affair and then redeems both of those characters. Unlike most traditional tellings, Morris never glorifies the affair and instead gives great consideration for King Arthur’s point of view and the fatalistic pressures of courtly romance. I love his take on their relationship and it will forever make this series my favorite Arthurian retelling.
• 
  Natalie

  This series is one of my favorites! Not only is it about King Arthur's knights told in a Medieval-y manner that is absolutely delightful and all I want in life, but also a little bit of practical modernism in there to make it easier to read. The author shows new light on lovely classic tales and makes them his own in amazing and beautiful ways. I love all of his characters, made-up as well as classic ones, so much that when ones (namely Terence, Piers, Gawain, etc.) from previous stories show up later on my inner fangirl completely loses it with happiness. The writing and handling of the tales are also done marvelously and I CANNOT WAIT to read the rest of the series but I also don't want it to be over!!
• 
  Ms. P

  Although this is book 6 in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone story. The protagonist, Sarah, is a plucky, independent girl who takes charge of her life and inadvertently helps everyone around her. I enjoyed the spin on the King Arthur tale, as well as the way traditional knights, magic, and gallantry are handled in a more modern (feminist) way.
  Themes of loyalty, revenge, friendship, and good vs. evil.
• 
  Natalie

  I enjoy Sarah as a narrator, I quite like how focused the events are, and I love Lancelot's and Morgan's extended appearances here.
  
  HOWEVER. The Dioneta reveal is unsatisfying, Mordecai is an anti-Semitic caricature who somehow has fire-and-brimstone Christian religious beliefs, and I will never not be angry that Sarah isn't Jewish. IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE THIS PLOTLINE, WHY CAN'T SHE BE JEWISH? UGH.
• 
  Pinko Palest

  Gerald Morris attempts to give more important roles to some of the secondary characters of the arthurian world, but it does not always work too well. Especially here. It is readable, although a bit more juvenile than the others of the series
• 
  Ming

  She's her own dammed princess alright.
• 
  Rachel

  What a cute story based on Lancelot and the Knights of Arthur. Great book for young readers.
• 
  Rachel

  This wasn't one of my favorites, but I did like the Guinevere/Lancelot story arc.
• 
  Julia

  Another enjoyable entry but it felt a little disconnected from the rest of the series
• 
  Sophia Burbano

  I have never read a YA series with such nuanced characters, and I don't think I ever will again.
• 
  Courtney

  This was another suberb episode in the Squire's Tales. I loved the female empowerment and the warning to look beyond appearances. The character developement of Lancelot has been fantastic.
• 
  Ethan West

  Thoroughly enjoying my read through of The Squire's Tales. Probably will encourage my kids to read them as they get older.