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The Coming of the King
Nikolai Tolstoy Book Review

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Plot Summary of The Coming of the King
"The Coming of the King is a many-layered description of Celtic Britain around the time of Arthur. Using highly complex literary and poetic language, Tolstoy takes us into the 'otherworld' through the narration of his main character: Merlin, who has the ability to see past and present, and has dreams/experiences as a fish in the ocean, seeking wisdom and escaping the attentions of the powers of the underworld. Merlin's story is told around an impending war between the Celtic Britons and the Vikings/Saxons living in the south of Britain..."
Paul W, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Coming of the King
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - King Arthur
Mental/magical powers focus Yes
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - coping with mental/magical powers
War or Invasion Yes
Major kinds of combat: - hand to hand - sword fights
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Age: - long lived adults
Has magical/special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - can change shapes - can see into the future - healing
Eccentric: Yes - wild
How sensitive is this character? - soggy whimpering jelly muffin
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - almost none

Setting
Terrain - Water - Mountains - Forests
Earth setting: - general past
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
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