Song of the Sparrow is Lisa Ann Sandell’s take on Arthurian legend, narrated by Elaine of Ascolat, or The Lady of Shalott. Since she was a small child, Elaine has been the only woman living in a military camp with hundreds of men. When her mother died, her father took Elaine and her brothers to Arthur’s camp, where she regularly mingles with people who are now the stuff of legends (people whose existence is debated–the Author’s Note at the end talks about this)–Arthur, Lancelot, Merlin, Gwynivere. To the men, Elaine is a friend, a healer, a seamstress, a child–many things, but never the woman she wishes to be in the eyes of one man in particular, her friend, Lancelot.
Elaine ceases to be the only woman in the camp when Gwynivere comes to be Arthur’s bride, and changes the group dynamic. Though she is at first pleased to have another woman around, Gwynivere immediately shows cruelty and dislike for Elaine. All of that changes again, however, when the two are thrown together in a situation where many fates hang in the balance–not only their own, but that of all of Britain.
Song of the Sparrow is an enchanting verse novel that absolutely took my breath away. Lisa Ann Sandell’s beautifully written sophomore novel is a truly worthy addition to the long list of diverse books based on the same legends. I was reminded a bit of Lisa Klein’s brilliant Ophelia, especially when Sandell talked in her Author’s Note about how women are not traditionally portrayed as strong characters in Arthurian legend. Both Klein and Sandell show well-known female characters in new ways, and both of their books are simply amazing. My comparing Song of the Sparrow to Ophelia is very high praise–I count Klein’s book as an all-time favorite.
Sandell does very well telling the story in verse. Her poetry is lovely, and she really makes it work for the story she is telling as well. I don’t think it would have worked half as well in prose, or, at least, it would have been a very different book. Sometimes verse novels are novels with odd line breaks, but this is not the case here. Song of the Sparrow is lyrical and poetic and beautiful. Elaine’s voice is distinctive and she is the perfect narrator for this story, a figure who is not usually the center of Arthurian stories, and not one traditionally shown the way Sandell portrays her.
Sandell is an engaging storyteller who really manages to make her characters come to life on the page. These legendary figures are real people (but are still distinctly the well-known figures of the legends), with real relationships and personalities. Song of the Sparrow is a brilliant novel, a breathtaking, epic story told on a personal level.
February 18, 2008 at 8:11 am
I’ve heard of this before – and I’m beginning to get really interested ;) I hope maybe I might stumble upon it one of these days…*sighs hopefully*
February 18, 2008 at 9:00 am
I’ve been wanting to read this for so LONG! And your great review makes me want to read it even more. *sighs hopefully along with bohae* I did as my library to buy a copy, but that doesn’t mean they will get it….
January 8, 2010 at 8:55 pm
you guys waited for so long to read this and the only thing i had to do was go to my school library!!!!
February 18, 2008 at 11:45 am
No stumbling–this one is worth purchasing.
March 15, 2011 at 10:13 pm
yes! i agree! i bought it a long time ago, and since then i think i have read it at least 10 times and loved it even more each time!
February 26, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Ahhh, but is it appropriate for a naive 12 year old girl?
July 8, 2009 at 12:11 pm
yes i am a naive 12 year old girl and i am REALLY liking it.
December 13, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Umm lady i am a 12 year old girl who LOVES this book and i think it is appropreate now go fuck your self because your parents never let you read books this were rated PG13 ohh im only 12 i cant watch a PG 13 movie or read that kind of book Well you no what Breaking dawn is rated R and i even read it i read the sex scene ohh im so bad now go fuck your self
April 5, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Ok, that was uncalled for. I agree this book is perfectly suitable for 12 yr. olds, but Breaking Dawn isn’t and if your guardians don’t care then go right ahead and read those sex scenes. On the other hand when you get pregnant before your 15, my mom will be the nurse trying to keep your pre-mature baby alive. So take your comments and shove them up your ass, because thats obviously what you think with! And, again yes, i think your 12 yr. old would love this book, hope i helped:)
February 26, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I don’t believe there’s anything objectionable. I’d say it’s appropriate. If something has slipped my mind, someone point it out, but I’m almost entirely sure it would be fine. Although, well, if you read regularly you might know my opinions on regulating anyone’s reading choices.
February 27, 2008 at 11:30 am
This book was one of the best books I have ever read!!! I was sharing it with a friend and we both kept fighting over who was going to take it home.
March 2, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I read the back of this book awhile ago and it didn’t interest me. But I keep hearing good things so I guess I’ll check it out. Plus, I usually really like your recommendations. :)
March 20, 2008 at 2:55 pm
[…] Posted by jocelyn under interview Lisa Ann Sandell is the wonderfully talented author Song of the Sparrow, a breathtakingly beautiful and brilliant novel about Elaine of Ascolat (or the Lady of Shalott). […]
April 6, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I really find this book to be one of the best I’ve read. And the review took it better into the kinds of things I like to read. If you’re looking to read something good, this is really the book. :)
And for a 12 year old girl, it’s perfectly appropriate in my point of view.
I really love it.
May 5, 2008 at 3:56 pm
[…] and the goal was 2-4 books read & reviewed, so I successfully completed this challenge. I read Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell, Princess on the Brink by Meg Cabot, Princess Mia by Meg Cabot, The Bonemender’s Choice by […]
May 8, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I’m 12 and i just finished reading this book a couple minutes ago! it’s one of the most amazing books i’ve ever read!
So-Original
May 14, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I just finished it a couple days ago and I’m glad I didn’t buy it. For some reason I just didn’t think it was that great. Too bad.
June 2, 2008 at 7:57 pm
i loved this book!! i’m so gonna read it again!! i might read ophelia as well
June 2, 2008 at 8:04 pm
if you haven’t reviewed twilight,new moon, or eclipse by stephenie meyer you should!! that is the best series ever!! i love them!!
June 3, 2008 at 1:15 pm
This was a MOST excellent book.
I have the painting of the Lady of Shalott by Waterhouse hanging in my house, but the legend surrounding Elaine of Ascalot is so vague and obscure. This book made it a beautiful tale.
I’m not usually fond of the poem-like style of writing, but it really worked in this book and made it that much better.
Congratulations to a brilliant author!
June 19, 2008 at 3:28 pm
It was so moving and learning about a girl that made a differents was awsome!!!! And it was so moving that I cried at some of the parts!! Like her mother dieing! It was so sad!!! but still Good job 2 Lisa Ann Sandell!!!
March 15, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Yeah me too! as i said earlier.. i have read this like 10 times, and i still cry every time when like she wakes up and everyone is standing around her in distress!
August 1, 2011 at 1:15 pm
i cried when tristan was explaining to the night she almost died i cry ever time :)
June 19, 2008 at 3:28 pm
It was so moving and learning about a girl that made a differents was awsome!!!! And it was so moving that I cried at some of the parts!! Like her mother dieing! It was so sad!!! but still Good job 2 Lisa Ann Sandell!!!
June 19, 2008 at 3:31 pm
For mom, Yes this book is aproperet for 12 year old girl! It helps them learn about the past and what they should do in sistuations!!!
June 30, 2008 at 8:53 am
i just read the book it was amazeing and i loved it i hope theres more books like that!!!!!!!
July 1, 2008 at 11:59 am
I love the book it was so confusing but very good i loved the ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 19, 2008 at 2:42 am
this book is amazing!
i recomend it to everyone
September 30, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I have just finished this book it is so good and romantic. Anyone who reads this book will fall in love with not only the story but the characters. I personally love the way she shows you with such detail how the characters feel and their emotions . This book is GREAT!
October 10, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Awseome book!Its romantic,drama and a wonderufl book I would recomend this book to be purchased but theres 1 word I saw wouldn’t be suitable for a girl under 12 even though Im 9 and I read it.But truely the description dosnt say much but basicly if your looking to see if you should get this book heres a prewiew:Theres was a girl Elaine.Her mother died at a yound age,her father took her and her 2 older brothers (i suppose,there older)to a camp held my a man called Author (yes hes king author).Well either way she falls in love by a man named Lancelot who her dearest friend calls him her knight because he can tell that she loves him,even though she tries to keep it away.But later a women Gwynivere (the girl on the cover) comes along who is suppost to be Author’s husband,but flirts with Lancelot and Elaine see’s Lancelot with her gazing and well in love.But there’s a twist when Him and Elaine are by a tree sitting (as they always do in the book) she offers herself to him,saying shes inlove with him.But to Lancelot shes still the little girl he saw when she first arrived to the camp.Not yet he see’s the women in side of her ,that she says she is.Soon Elaine realizes that Gwynivere is proving to be cold and cruel especialy to her treating her as if she was a servant and she was a princess.Either way its a great book should be PURCHASED!It was offered to many book sales all over Florida.
December 4, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Actually Elaine is on the front cover not Gwynivere.
October 10, 2008 at 6:45 pm
yes I did just finish reading it lol looking for a comment site to tell people…<3 THAT BOOK!!Hope theres tons of more books like that but to offer to you people who want to read another book like tha I suggest Fairest by:Gail Carson Levine who yes was the author of Ella Enchaned and its not exactly like Song of the Sparrow but it made me look for the book for 2 years in the library that how good a book it is! Well its like Penalapy but witht he same charectoristics from song of the sparrow….(sorry for the misspelling if there is I am only 10* years old sorry for saying I was nine in the other comment)
November 17, 2008 at 3:11 pm
THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 28, 2008 at 6:00 pm
this freakin book is od, ballin!!!!!!!! son like foreal this is a good book!!!!!!!!!
December 14, 2008 at 5:21 pm
i love this book when i read it i never wanted to put it down and im not a big reader so its a must to read
January 13, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I love ow this book is written is free-verse poetry. This is unlike any other Arthur story I have ever read! A quick note: Elaine was not the only woman in the campsite. There was Morgan as well, Arthur’s older sister. She is not a main character, but she was still a nice part of it.
January 14, 2009 at 3:47 pm
[…] my review of Song of the Sparrow and my interview with […]
January 28, 2009 at 1:08 pm
i loved this book
February 14, 2009 at 12:51 pm
its awsome is there any other book like thise book
February 23, 2009 at 11:57 am
this is a really good book is there another one
March 4, 2009 at 8:14 pm
i have been hearing alot about this book and been considering reading it. is it anything like the twilight saga
March 22, 2009 at 11:51 am
OMG I LOVE THIS BOOK!! LISA ANN SANDLE I WANT TO READ EVERY BOOK YOU WROTE COMR UP WITH A NOTHER BOOK LIKE THIS PLEASE! Lisa i just have to say i have read this book 3 times i am so insprierd and i hope i fing true love like Elaine did. Lisa do you have a true love?
March 22, 2009 at 11:54 am
no it is nothing like twilight mabey a little
March 31, 2009 at 11:30 am
i really loved this book!
April 11, 2009 at 10:21 pm
OMG!! I totally love this book.
its so captivating and hard to put down. I reccomend it to anyone..over 11.
But anywho,, PLEASE MAKE A SEQUEL!!
April 28, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I love this book it has a happy ending but in reality she died in a boat because of a curse put on her but I like how Lisa Ann Sandell did a happy ending for such a tragic end
May 8, 2009 at 11:57 pm
LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEE the book. Its so enchanting and I never want to stop reading it!!!
May 13, 2009 at 1:53 pm
THis is my alltime favorite book the only book that i actually take time to read more than once
May 24, 2009 at 7:56 pm
This is a great book. In fact it was so good I read the whole book in 3 hours.
September 25, 2009 at 11:59 am
omg god i totally loved the book to death i could read like forever i’ve already reread it like five times
October 21, 2009 at 7:36 pm
!!!!!!!!$FREAKING GOOD BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$
December 8, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I have not finished the book, but it looks and sounds really, really good!
February 14, 2010 at 5:59 pm
I absolutely loved this book! Everybody should purchase it and read it ASAP. I love Elaine’s character and how she becomes a wonderful, independent woman. I wish i could be like her. I love Lisa Ann Sandell!!
March 20, 2010 at 3:47 pm
This book is amazing!!
I usally don’t like to read but I finished this in 1 day!
P.S. I’m 13. and i dont think age should matter. (:
May 21, 2010 at 9:23 pm
This book was amazing!!I loved the format of it.
February 12, 2011 at 3:44 pm
This book was really touching and beautiful I can’t think of a better book to read than this.
April 29, 2011 at 8:31 am
I have read this book at least five times and it’s my favorite book ever! It never gets old (especially the good parts near the end). I loved how it was written in a lyrical format and it seemed like i was reading more than i actually did. This is absolutely a perfect book!
April 29, 2011 at 8:35 am
Hey this is me again I just wanted to correct something from comment 23 (bc I’m OCD like that). The girl on the cover is not Gwynivere, IT’S ELAINE! DUH! Anywho…yeah…thats all.
May 4, 2011 at 10:52 pm
is this book really that good?im only ten,but people takeme for 13 sometimes.i have read breaking dawn, and im allowed to watch the human centipede which is rated R18 and is TOTALLY NOT SCARY JUST GROSS.
August 1, 2011 at 1:02 pm
i have read this book at least 6 times and it is awesome best book i have ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!! you really need to read :)!!!!!!!!!!!
August 1, 2011 at 1:07 pm
this book is may faveorite book in the whole world i could never put it down and i always thought i was right there in the story it was an amazing book…..and very touching and beautiful and romantic i suggest this book to every girl in the world:)
August 19, 2011 at 2:50 am
what happen to tristan in the end of the story
October 2, 2012 at 5:49 pm
this is a great book but some parts were kind of confusing and i had to do a book report on it and at first i thought that it would be a boring book but it turned out to be one of the best books i have ever read