Literary Harlots and Mary Sues

Okay, I just finished reading Queen of Camelot by Nancy McKenzie, which encompasses both "The Child Queen" and "The High Queen." As one must have gathered by now, this is a story about King Arthur, told from Guenivere's point of view.

I have come to the conclusion that I despise Guenivere more than Helen of Troy. Helen's infidelity, her decision, is excusable in some ways, considering her husband:

1. married her for political reasons
2. was significantly older
3. never loved her.

Of course some young buck coming in and sweeping her off her feet...probably not the best decision a queen can make, but well...yeah.

Guenivere, however...ug. Yes, Arthur marries her for political reasons, but QUICKLY grows to love her, and she him. He doesn't turn her out when she can't have kids and treats her like a person, not just a woman. For someone who represents the Goddess on Earth, she is a LOUSY representation.

Lancelot. I mean, what can you say about this guy? The ONLY good version of him was in King Arthur and that's because he DIED before he could do any real damage. It's really simple enough--if you have trouble fighting temptation, stay away from that which tempts you. Yes, you're the Queen's Protector; that doesn't mean you have to spend every BLOODY SECOND of the day with her when the King's not around. If she gets into a jam, you help her out. You make sure she has plenty of armed guards. You don't meet with her alone, anywhere, if she inflames you that much.

The problem with this book also partially revolves around Mary Sue. Mary Sue, for those of you who do not know, is a female character inserted into a fandom that is an author's idealized version of herself. (This can happen with men, he is called Gary Stu, but most often happens with girls.) If ever there was a Mary Sue, the Guenivere in this book is it. She is beyond beautifyl, which is partially to be expected, 'cause, hi, Guenivere. But every man who meets her falls in love with her, and she's so perfectly tom-boy-ish, you want to scream. But for all her "strength" she cries at the drop of a hat and can't figure out the most logical thing to do, which is to STAY AWAY FROM LANCELOT. She also can't keep her mouth shut when talking to her maids, revealing state secrets and openly confessing her love for good ol' Lance. Ug.

What's worse about this book is that EVERYBODY knows, even Arthur, they talk about it to her face, and yet people continue to let these two get together in private or EXTREMELY underchaperoned situations. I know you can't boss the High Queen around, but Lancelot...couldn't Bedwyr or someone just pull him aside and say "Look, buddy, whatever you have to say to her, you should be able to say in the King's Council." The whole KINGDOM is at fault for what happens, because nobody had the good sense to say "Stop; Bad Idea."

Back to good ol' Gwen. She drives me batty. I know I've read books where I've liked her, but this one...ug! And she was the narrator; the whole thing is in the first person point of view! And I STILL couldn't like her. I wanted to throttle her pretty little neck and say "You are married to the High FUCKING King of Britain. Why is this not enough for you? You are a selfish witch, ruining two men's lives."

In the stories where Morgan/Morgaine/Morgause/whoever casts a spell to ruin them, this behavoir is slightly more acceptable--removal of free will and what not. But in this version, no, she just made a ton of bad decisions, and couldn't see to stop. Seriously, who talks about their LOVER with their HUSBAND? She would do this and...and...no words...too angry.

In my version of this story, if I ever get it written, Guenivere burns. Yup, Lancelot doesn't come to save her. She burns in the fire like she ought to, because she ruined the best thing Britain had going for it.

/end rant