M.T Anderson (text), Andrea Offerman (illus.), Yvain: The Knight of the Lion, Candlewick Press, March 2017, 130pp., $27.00 (hbk), ISBN: 9780763659394
This tale is based on a twelfth century Arthurian epic by Chrétien de Troyes. It is a comic‑style graphic narrative, in watercolour and ink on glossy high quality paper. The tale concerns love and hate. In the forest of Broceliande there is a Red Knight who has humiliated a member of the round table, Sir Calogrenant. This calls for revenge, and Sir Yvain wants to be the one to do this honour. His trials and adventures involve magic, a beautiful maiden, and a hopeless love for a queen who wants him dead. His honour of course is what guides him, and his love is what consumes him. The tale is as bloody, as magical, and as complex as the ‘Game of Thrones’, and skilfully illustrated throughout, with much respect to the original.
Children will pore over this book for hours. Recommended for 10-15 year olds.
Reviewed by Kevin Brophy
