Childhood read, good times, not great. ( )

Book Review

David C. Hall
EDCI 4120/5120
Barron, T.A. (1999). The mirror of merlin.
Grade Levels: 7-9
Category: Fantasy
Read-Alouds: pp. 22-30 (Chapter II-The Ballymag); 102-115 (Chapters XII-XIII—Two Silent/Ector); 173-190 (Chapters XX-XXI—The Mists of Time/Voices); 225-245 (Chapters XXV-XVII—Tunnels/A Test of Loyalties/Their Own Story)
Summary: A young Merlin, joined by his friend Hallia, the deer-woman and his own disobedient shadow, goes on a fantastic journey as he tried to find out what is causing the strange wickedness which is rising out of the mists of the isle of Fincayra. Along the way, he encounters the odd little Ballmag, the Marsh Ghouls, a young man who calls himself Ector, and a magical mirror that leads him to a meeting with the old wise Merlin, his own older self, who is the mentor and teacher to the young Arthur. This fateful meeting is followed by a battle with the evil witch, Nimue, from which Merlin and Hallia emerge triumphant.
Themes: The Mirror of Merlin explores the themes of life’s journey from young adulthood to maturity, and the importance of character and integrity along the way. Young Merlin faces many obstacles and is forced to make personal sacrifices that benefit others before he has the opportunity to meet and learn from his older, wiser self. The final chapters of the novel focus attention on the importance of every individual working to shape their own destiny through the everyday choices they make along the way.
Discussion Questions:
Early in the novel, Merlin and Hallia meet a young boy named Ector (who turns out to be the young Arthur). Did your perception of the boy’s character change when his true identity was revealed to the reader? If so, why?
Young Merlin meets his “older” self, which creates an interesting opportunity for the young Merlin to question his older, wiser and more worldly adult self. If you could meet your “younger self” (say, you at age 10) what advice would you give to the “younger-you”?
The older Merlin says (to the young Merlin), “You have a destiny, my lad, that much is true. But you also have choices. Yes—and choices are nothing less than the power of creation. Through

them, you can create your own life, your own future, your own destiny.” Do you believe this statement? What does it mean for the young Merlin, and what could it mean for you?
Reader Response: My initial response to the first 170 pages of The Mirror of Merlin was that it was a novel emphasizing style over substance, description over plot and story. The first three-quarters of the book feature interesting but sometimes trite characters, and in spite of battles and challenges faced by the novel’s protagonist, very little actually happens, and what does happen doesn’t always make a lot of sense, even in this fantasy world of the years before the wizard Merlin comes into contact with the young Arthur. Not having read any of the other novels in the series, I assumed that the author was rationing out Merlin’s “lost years” in part to extend the series. By Part III (Chapter XX) I found myself totally engrossed in the novels story and message, and begrudgingly appreciative of what the author was trying to accomplish with this series of novels for young adults.
The story of King Arthur has proved remarkably malleable, adjusting (magically?) to adaptations into opera, musical comedy, drama, movies, cartoons and even comic books. In this series of novels on the lost years of Merlin, author T.A. Barron has created a praiseworthy addition to the already-voluminous Arthurian saga; these novels concentrating on Merlin’s life before Arthur complement the adult literature contributions of T.H. White’s The Book of Merlyn and Mary Stewart’s The Wicked Day, The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment.