A New Look at the Arthurian Legend - Mordred and the King

Readers Will Never Look at King Arthur the Same Way”

RIVERDALE, NY – (June 27, 2013) – The Arthurian legend has never had a more sexually charged interpretation as it has in Mordred and the King, a new e-book by John Michael Curlovich published today by the Magnus LGBT imprint of Riverdale Avenue Books. 
“I’ve loved the stories about King Arthur and his court since I was a kid,” says Curlovich.  “But it always bothered me that Mordred, one of the villains, is nearly always ‘coded’ as gay – if only by casting actors like Roddy McDowall and Alan Mowbray in the role.  Re-imagining him as a sympathetic gay hero struck me as a fascinating challenge.  As I wrote, it became clear to me that there was a wonderful story to be told.  Writing an epic fantasy with a gay theme was a challenge I took on eagerly, with genuine relish.”

Rich in historical detail and grand in its chronicle of the worlds of Arthur, including those of his romantic and sexual desires, Mordred and the King is a sweeping journey through a retelling of the ancient legend.

Curlovich takes readers back to the sixth century as the classical world is dying and being rapidly replaced by the Christian world. Prince Mordred is the son of Morgan le Fay, the witch-queen who rules Wales.  Morgan and her entourage have long plotted to regain control of England, the Christian country ruled by her brother, King Arthur. They want to destroy everything Arthur has built. Arthur and his party lose their way on a hunting trip and end up in Morgan’s realm.  While visiting his sister’s castle, Arthur is glimpsed by young Mordred, who falls instantly, hopelessly in love with him.  In no time Mordred begins to plan to escape from his mother and to join Arthur in England.

“Mordred and the King is a smart, sexy, fast-paced read that’s also beautifully written and well-researched.  John’s gift in this novel is taking the legend and all the rich historical detail that we’re familiar with and turning it all onto its head.  Readers will never look at King Arthur the same way,” says Don Weise, editorial director of Magnus Books.

Writer John Michael Curlovich is based in Pittsburgh.  He has had more than twenty novels published, as well as numerous short stories.  For ten years he served as the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the award–winning regional monthly, Planet Q.
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