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Naomi Mitchison wrote this humorous and off-center look at the Arthurian legends nearly half a century ago, in 1955, yet it still stands up well and remains pertinent today. Set during the pinnacle and fall of Arthur's reign (Apogee and Downfall eras in the Pendragon rpg,) To The Chapel Perilous also manages to provide a pointed commentary on the media and it's ability to shape the public's perception of reality.

The narrative focuses on the efforts of Lienors and Dalyn, journalists for rival newspapers (The Camelot Chronicle and The Northern Pict), to report on the affairs of Arthurs realm. The underlying tension in the kingdom, combined with the burdgeoning attraction between the two reporters, and their battles with editors who invariably mold the stories to reflect the interests of the newspapers, drive the novel on at a smooth pace.

Mitchison brilliantly parodies the modern media, suggesting that the newspapers manufactured much of what we know as the arthurian legends for public consumption: "We'll give them what they like. After all, they couldn't take the real story....goes against too many interests". In one notable example of this in action, Galahad is reported as being the "winner" over other Round Table knights in the quest for the Grail, despite others having legitimate claims, because he is handsome, charming and young, and thereby was more appealing to the readership. If anything, her observations on the influence of the media is even more accurate today, with television taking an even more cavalier attitude towards the "truth".

Despite the epic nature of the events that serve as the backdrop to the story, Mitchison manages to keep our attention firmly focused on Lienors and Dalyn. Her power of characterization is masterful. The twin plots---the fate of Camelot and the attraction of the two reporters---converge in a finale at the Battle of Salisbury, where Arthur battles the usurper Modred for control of Britain. It is a powerful climax.

Players of the Pendragon rpg will find much of use in this book. The story takes place in the latter years of Arthur's reign, a period only detailed in a cursory fashion in the Boy King and other source material. Mitchisons despiction of Guinevere's romance with Lancelot, the Grail quest, Arthur's war with Lancelot, and Modred's uprising will be useful to those completing an epic Pendragon campaign. Her characterization of key Arthurian personalities would go a long way to bringing these individuals to life during gameplay as well.

To The Chapel Perilous is a well crafted novel from the pre-eminent publishers of Arthurian Fiction, Green Knight Publishing. While Mitchison's writing style prevents it from being a light read, the effort required to enjoy her work is well worth it in the end.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 3 (Average)

To The Chapel Perilous
Author: Naomi Mitchison Category: novel Company/Publisher: Green Knight Publishing Line: Arthurian Fiction Cost: 10.95 Page count: 219 ISBN: 1-92899-05-0 SKU: GK6203 Playtest Review by Andrew Hind on 11/15/00. Genre tags: Fantasy Historical	Naomi Mitchison wrote this humorous and off-center look at the Arthurian legends nearly half a century ago, in 1955, yet it still stands up well and remains pertinent today. Set during the pinnacle and fall of Arthur's reign (Apogee and Downfall eras in the Pendragon rpg,) To The Chapel Perilous also manages to provide a pointed commentary on the media and it's ability to shape the public's perception of reality. The narrative focuses on the efforts of Lienors and Dalyn, journalists for rival newspapers (The Camelot Chronicle and The Northern Pict), to report on the affairs of Arthurs realm. The underlying tension in the kingdom, combined with the burdgeoning attraction between the two reporters, and their battles with editors who invariably mold the stories to reflect the interests of the newspapers, drive the novel on at a smooth pace. Mitchison brilliantly parodies the modern media, suggesting that the newspapers manufactured much of what we know as the arthurian legends for public consumption: "We'll give them what they like. After all, they couldn't take the real story....goes against too many interests". In one notable example of this in action, Galahad is reported as being the "winner" over other Round Table knights in the quest for the Grail, despite others having legitimate claims, because he is handsome, charming and young, and thereby was more appealing to the readership. If anything, her observations on the influence of the media is even more accurate today, with television taking an even more cavalier attitude towards the "truth". Despite the epic nature of the events that serve as the backdrop to the story, Mitchison manages to keep our attention firmly focused on Lienors and Dalyn. Her power of characterization is masterful. The twin plots---the fate of Camelot and the attraction of the two reporters---converge in a finale at the Battle of Salisbury, where Arthur battles the usurper Modred for control of Britain. It is a powerful climax. Players of the Pendragon rpg will find much of use in this book. The story takes place in the latter years of Arthur's reign, a period only detailed in a cursory fashion in the Boy King and other source material. Mitchisons despiction of Guinevere's romance with Lancelot, the Grail quest, Arthur's war with Lancelot, and Modred's uprising will be useful to those completing an epic Pendragon campaign. Her characterization of key Arthurian personalities would go a long way to bringing these individuals to life during gameplay as well. To The Chapel Perilous is a well crafted novel from the pre-eminent publishers of Arthurian Fiction, Green Knight Publishing. While Mitchison's writing style prevents it from being a light read, the effort required to enjoy her work is well worth it in the end. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 3 (Average)