Reviews for Viva Arthur

The average rating for Viva Arthur based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2012-12-26 00:00:00 Calvin Animashaun Having been active on the pagan scene myself for getting on towards 25 years, I've long been aware of Arthur Pendragon, and although I've never met the man personally I've always had the sense that he was a bit of a prat. And an exceptionally arrogant one at that! I mean, what kind of inflated ego or deranged mind would dare to proclaim himself to be the reincarnation of the Once and Future King? Actually this book surprised me - Arthur acknowledges that he must seem a bit of a lunatic. How could he not? That aside, he also comes across as deeply committed to his causes, be they access to Stonehenge, the road protest movement, environmentalism, freedom of religious expression and the like. Boisterous, opinionated, earthy and yes, a bit arrogant, but beneath all the bluster he comes across as really quite likeable. Maybe not the kind of guy you'd want to invite round for a polite social occasion, but essentially a good, well meaning and decent man. Where the book scores highly is in the insight it provides into the road protest movement of the 1990's, the Stonehenge exclusion zone and counter culture generally. Littered with Bikers, Druids and New Age travellers with exotic names like the Orc, Mog Ur Kreb Dragonrider, Steve the Bard and the Whippet, The Trials of Arthur is always an entertaining read. The characters may seem strange to muggles, but nonetheless they are passionately and sincerely dedicated to a better way of life. You may not agree with them, or even understand their way of thinking, but you'll be hard pressed not to like them. The writing style is quirky and unpolished, much like Arthur himself, and some of his anecdotes definitely have a personal spin on them, which might not accord precisely with the public record of events! But throughout it's entertaining, heartfelt and quite an eye opener for anyone who might think that the alternative culture is just a bunch of scruffy layabouts with skinny dogs on bits of string. Open your mind and experience life lived on the fringes of 'civilised' society. Definitely worth a read!

Review # 2 was written on 2021-06-21 00:00:00 Kim Cristobal I will say that Pendragon shows a strong fascination for nonfiction that borders on the fantastical.