The Cleaving by Juliet E McKenna
(Angry Robot, 2023)
Reviewed by Estelle Roberts
The Cleaving is a feminist take on the traditional Arthurian legends, being told from the perspective of four of the main female characters, Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana and Guinevere. It begins with a celebration in Winchester of Uther Pendragon’s latest victories, where he announces his intention to become High King, much to the chagrin of many of the other monarchs. This appears to be mostly at the instigation of his advisor Merlin, who, from the start, very much works to his own agenda. It transpires that both he and Nimue are not actually human, but supernatural beings with magical powers, Merlin’s being exceptionally strong. When Nimue dares to question his decisions, she is angrily dismissed, with Merlin asserting his assumed superiority. It is noted at this point that the women, while not completely without power, are reliant largely on their ability to influence the men around them, particularly their husbands and lovers.
The story continues with Ygraine being assaulted by Uther, and then raped by him on her return to Cornwall—he is disguised as her husband through Merlin’s magic. She is then trapped into marriage to Uther, and Merlin’s ultimate goal of Arthur’s conception is achieved. He believes that an Albion united under Arthur is the only hope for the country and also his race.
We continue with Arthur eventually becoming High King and turning from a humble respectful young man to a king with all the arrogance and pig headedness of his father. Guinevere is one who suffers particularly as a result of this. What begins as a reasonably happy marriage descends into coldness due, in part, to her inability to conceive something that causes her intense heartache. She finds brief happiness in the arms of Lancelot, only then to be rejected by him and branded a traitor when the affair is discovered.
Morgana, the king’s half-sister, does not fare better. A highly curious and intelligent child, she began to learn magic at Ygraine’s knee, but subsequently learnt much more than she could teach her. Forced into an appropriate marriage and childbearing, she chafes against the restrictions placed on her, which deny her the fulfilment of her own potential. As with Guinevere, this does not end particularly well for her.
Despite her powers, Nimue also feels restricted. While Merlin uses his powers more or less openly, and with Uther’s knowledge and approval, Nimue believes that she must hide hers and only use them secretly. This means that she is forced to miss opportunities to aid people, which she finds at times heartbreaking. She is also bound by the belief that if your magic harms anyone that hurt will come back on you threefold, something that does not appear to worry Merlin.
Much is made of the lack of opportunity for women to hold real power and influence in this society. Their status is based on that of their husbands and fathers, and they can generally only use the subtle art of persuasion to achieve their ends. This is profoundly frustrating for many of them, particularly since the female characters are often just as or more skilled and intelligent than their male counterparts. Nimue, for example, gets the better of the magically superior Merlin through sheer guile. This inequality does also leave women in a dangerously vulnerable position when male support and protection is removed from them, as they are largely thought of as male property.
There have been many variations written of the Arthurian legend. It almost seems to invite analysis and changes in perspective. Indeed, this is not the first feminist take on the story. Putting female characters front and centre emphasizes their right to be there, not overwhelmed by or bit players in the story of their male counterparts. Its feminist predecessor, The Mists Of Avalon, could be held to be more interesting, as it departs from the traditional tale, but The Cleaving is an intelligent, highly readable and enjoyable addition to the canon.
Review from BSFA Review 22 - Download your copy here.