Storyteller - A Review

Author: G. R. Grove
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 978-1-4303-0524-8
Pages: 252

Excellence personified! G. R. Grove spins a Welsh tale out of a surprisingly accurate grasp of life in the Middle Ages, as well as an apparent appreciation of this time period, hence her dedication to the Society for Creative Anachronism—a group, I presume, of which she is a member. The book is obviously inspired, and it exudes a high degree of intellectual and linguistic fervor that is nearly unmatched—a compliment that is hard-won, considering the company of accomplished writers, living and dead, Grove is up against.

The novel is episodic, with short, almost self-contained chapters that, taken together, make for an exquisite historical travel narrative. But bear in mind, the book is so much more than this; therefore, it cannot be categorized by a single genre type. Over the course of the novel, the details accrete, and the world we are led through—a picturesque, colorful, delightfully Celtic, and refreshingly whimsical place—unfolds like a blossoming rose in time-lapse. The dialogue too is insightful and precise, and it is written with a subtle edge that affords us a view into the minds of a set of well-drawn characters. Like Gwernin, the beloved bard in her book, Grove is a consummate storyteller, and her carefully woven prose is as ornate and intricate as the delicate, silken web of spiders. G. R. Grove, in short, is easily one of my favorite writers living today, as well as one of the best. In fact, her book is on its way to me from an online bookseller as I write this.

So much happens in the novel, and the language is so rich and detailed, that Storyteller merits multiple reads, if only to allow for the complete absorption and digestion of its many layers. But readers new to this kind of story (or material), and the unique telling of it, should acclimate without difficulty upon reading a few chapters. The one caveat is that there are several minor spelling errors sprinkled throughout the book, but that is a small thing.

At the outset of the book, we meet an old bard, the wise and experienced Gwernin, who begins to weave a tale that centers on his life as a youth. Many of young Gwernin’s encounters set the stage for the aspiring bard to spin his seemingly fanciful stories before great crowds, and sometimes within the confines of lavish courts, no less. With his friend Ieuan at his side, Gwernin is met with adventure of every kind while wandering the green hills and valleys, and idyllic countryside of sixth-century Wales. But his experiences are too varied, too comprehensive, to yield a fitting summary; therefore, I direct you to the book itself, wherein awaits a tale of tales that will regale you well into the night if you are not careful.