“Morgan is My Name” is the debut novel from Sophie Keetch, but you wouldn’t know it based on her sparkling, lyrical prose and spellbinding plot. Reading this book feels like traveling back in time and immersing yourself in another, mystical world. If you enjoyed “Circe” by Madeline Miller, this book is for you!
Lady Morgan of Tintagel, or Morgan le Fay (Morgan the Fairy) as she is known later in Arthurian legend, is a widely portrayed character from medieval and fantasy literature, and has been studied by scholars for centuries. She is often portrayed as a witch or sorceress, and is in equal measure seen as a force for good, for evil, or for somewhere in between. Much like “Circe,” this is a coming of age tale about a familiar character who has not always been depicted in a positive light. This is a much-needed feminist take on a figure repeatedly presented as poisonous, calculating, and malevolent. Readers meet the character at the beginning of her life and discover how she may have transformed into the complicated, mercurial, and wonderful character she actually is.
The story begins with Morgan as a young girl living at Tintagel Castle in Wales with her parents and two older sisters. Morgan’s parents are the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, and the book describes Tintagel as hugging a rocky, barren coastline where the wind is always howling. Morgan has always been drawn to the sea, and cannot picture her life being any different.
Her parents are loving and nurturing, and Lord Gorlois recognizes that his youngest daughter possesses unusual healing powers and a fierce intelligence. However, Morgan’s beloved father is often away at war with other kingdoms all over Britain, and when one day the family receives word of his passing in battle, Morgan is understandably devastated. Not long after, the sorcerer Merlin and the infamous King Uther Pendragon trick Morgan’s mother, Lady Igraine, into marrying Uther, and the walls of Morgan’s world come crashing down around her.
Through much suffering and repressing of her natural and supernatural gifts, Morgan’s anger with the patriarchal society of Britain stokes her determination to hone her talents and defy the oppressive position forced upon her.
Later on in the book, Morgan discovers a shocking truth about the young King Arthur, who has recently been crowned after pulling the legendary sword from the stone. She has further conflicts with Merlin, and Keetch leaves the end of the story open to many more possibilities. This book is the first in a trilogy, and the continuation of Morgan’s story will undoubtedly be much-awaited by many readers.
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