h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Until relatively recently, most Arthurian literature neglected to develop a principle set of its characters - the ones in skirts. Morgan/Morgause and Guinevere are usually relegated to one-dimensional "evil sorceress" and "helpless pretty-face" roles, respectively -- the traditional whore/mother dichotomy of female characters in fiction.

Two authors from the mid-to late 80's have rectified that oversight rather spectacularly. Persia Woolley and Marian Zimmer Bradley add to the extant body of literature narratives built around the women. Woolley's trilogy, "Daughter of the Northern Spring", "Queen of the Summer Stars", and "Guinevere: The Legend in Autumn" is the 1st person POV of Guinevere as Arthur's equal - Queen in the tribal tradition: with, not below. Bradley's novel, "The Mists of Avalon" (recently tele-movie-ized, but don't bother, really), restructures the legend in a Christian v. pagan struggle, and divides its attention first between Igraine and Vivianne, then their successors Gwenhwyfar and Morgaine, while not neglecting Morgause.

The one major flaw in both works is that whichever female is the main protagonist, her counterpart or opponent ultimately suffers by comparison. Woolley's Morgan is still an irrational, power-mad schemer, and Bradley's Gwenhwyfar is whiny, uneducated and religiously bigoted.

However, both authors have done their socio-cultural research, and do not neglect the associated characters - Gawain, Tristan and Isolde, Balin/Balan, and Niniane/Nimue.

As a lesser writer might have done, neither Woolley nor Bradley fall into the trap of the worst feminist literature and disdain or dismiss the male characters. They are diminished a little, perhaps; because women did not traditionally participate in battle, most of the feats of knightly derring-do take place off-page. Instead, the action is far more political and relational - the action progresses because of small actions and words, along strong themes of cause, effect, and consequence.

Ultimately both authors preserve the sad beauty of Aristotelian tragedy in Arthur as well as share it with the girls.