King Arthur by L.A. Wilson

The Silurian: Book One; The Fox and The Bear

Hear the words of a young warrior, speaking with power of a time when men were committed to their warlords and wielding swords that break...

Set in the Dark Ages of Post-Roman Britain, The Silurian is the story of King Arthur told in a way that has never been done before. A first person narrative spoken in grim and honest detail of the lives of Arthur and his closest friend and foster-brother, Prince Bedwyr The Fox.
And it is Bedwyr who tells the story of his life with Arthur, and of his own struggles to know this powerful friend of his. A boy of sixteen, taken to his first great conflict, Bedwyr begins his story on the battlefield where Arthur lies missing after having won his first engagement to war against the invading Saxons, Hengist and Horsa.

This is the Fifth Century AD, a time of fierce honesty, as Bedwyr's own words speak it, the words of a young warrior who lives his life in the blood, guts, turmoil and love of an age that was both brutal and brilliant.

Review:
I have recently discovered L.A. Wilson's visionary series 'The Silurian'. Here at last is Arthur of the Britons, King Arthur the Silurian with 'thick straight black hair and ebony-black eyes'. Arthur, child of the sun, emerging from the darkness of a bitter and abusive childhood to burn through these books like dragon fire. This is the story of the last defence of Britain against the invading Saxons, and of the old gods against the 'misery and sin and guilt' brought by missionary Christians.
The narrator is Bedwyr the Fox, Prince of Gwynedd, and foster brother to Arthur, Artorius Rex the Bear. The rhythm and intensity of Bedwyr's words takes the reader directly to the torn heart of 5th century Britain, a place where lives could be lost in the flash of a Saxon sword, and where the constant possibility of death intensifies every feeling.

Bedwyr gives the truth of his life - everything - incredible courage, wild rebellion, deep suffering, sexual passion, and love. Love most of all. Love is the power of these books, the love between Arthur and Bedwyr, love between fellow warriors on the battlefield, love between parent and child, and sexual love unrestricted by gender. 'Love those you are with while you live, and have no care for those who judge you, for the judges do not have to live your life.'
L.A. Wilson is an artist and a poet. These are my favourite books ever!

Review by Mary Cade