Reviews

The Ballad of Sir Dinadan by Gerald Morris

colbyjackcheese's review against another edition

5.0

I love medieval minstrels and knights, so I saw this and thought it would be a fun lighthearted read. I wasn't expecting to get as emotionally invested as I did, but I genuinely fell in love with the characters of Dinadan, Brangienne, Palomides, and Bedivere. I thought the story as a whole was going to be fairly predictable, especially due to having some familiarity with the two main legends the story was based on, but the ending of Dinadan and Brangienne's story specifically took me by surprise in a very good way - it felt true to their characters and a satisfying ending.

Overall, the best praise I can give this book is that when I finished it, I immediately ordered the first book in the Squire's Tales series, knowing I wanted to read more of Morris' work. He seems like an excellent storyteller, whose work can be enjoyed and appreciated by people of all ages.

lanternheart's review against another edition

3.0

A fun, curious story of Sir Dinadan, and a hilarious take on the story of Tristan and Isolde as a good deal of the side-plot. I enjoyed my time in Camelot!

rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition

4.0

This one was particularly charming.

oworthyfool's review against another edition

5.0

Probably my favorite of the Squire's Tales, with a protagonist as witty, charming, and genuinely caring as you could ask for. Introducing as it does Sir Palomides, for a refreshing glimpse of outside-England, and the sardonic wit of Brangienne, this is a stand-out tale.

nerfherder86's review against another edition

3.0

A funny take on the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Part of a series, this particular book is the story of Dinadan, knighted in a drunken fit by his father and sent out to earn his knighthood. But Dinadan is inept with the sword or fighting, and would much rather compose and sing songs as a minstrel. He has comical encounters with other knights of varying degrees of competency, from one who swears a lovesick vow of silence (to everyone and anyone within earshot, all day long!) to one who fights and acts quite nobly. Dinadan thinks he is a much better minstrel than a knight, but through these adventures and his interactions with a Moor named Palomides, he realizes he is a better knight than many others. Dinadan tells his story with dry wit, laughing at the romantic entanglements of other knights, but finding true love himself despite claiming not to be interested in romance. Fun and different than anything I've read in a long while. Medieval lite, if you will; not a lot of details about clothing and food and customs of the times, just straightforward story.

madeleine_marie's review

adventurous funny lighthearted

4.0

tigerlinus's review against another edition

2.0

2.5. Sir Dinidad was fun, and I enjoyed that he wasn't knight 'material' - he'd rather be

Spoiler

, and does become,

a minstrel

Spoiler

, I like that Brangienne and Dinidad love each other but don't marry

, some secondary characters are fun, and there are some laugh out loud moments. Unfortunately, Tristram gets old, the story seems to plod along, and as much as I liked Dinidad and the overall feel of his personal journey, I never felt a part of his world.

missmeddler's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

aceartemis7's review against another edition

3.0

Wasn't as engaging as the previous books, but still entertaining.

holtfan's review

4.0

Oh, so awesome.
Seriously, I love this series xD No Terence or Gwaine in this book, but their presence is still felt and not to badly missed.
<3 Dinadan xD