I've long been a fan of John and Caitlin Matthews' writings on pagan topics (some 20 years). They have an excellent way of combining scholarship and spirituality that appeals to both my head and heart. This book is no exception. It is about a recently discovered text called the Elucidation, which is an early medieval version of the Grail myth. This version of the story shows the ties of the story to the pre-Christian world. The authors not only present the text itself, but give the context for it within the greater body of Grail literature. They analyze the text and also further look at the themes brought up within the text, giving insight into how its ideas can resonate with personal spiritual practice. This adds so much to what we think of as the Grail story. Another thought-provoking look at the Celtic roots of culture and spirituality by these authors.

My thanks to Inner Traditions for an eARC via NetGalley of Caitlin & John Matthews’ ‘The Lost Book of the Grail’ in exchange for an honest review.

The subtitle of this work is: ‘The Sevenfold Path of the Grail and the Restoration of the Faery Accord’. Over the years I have read a number of the books by the Matthews and have confidence in their scholarship and dedication to making materials linked to the Arthurian and Grail mythic traditions available and accessible. Their work is never dry.

Central to this work is a forgotten prequel to the better known Grail quest tales: The Elucidation of the Grail, a 13th-century French poem, newly translated by noted esotericist Gareth Knight and Caitlin Matthews. This poem is accompanied by commentary and analysis.

They make it clear that this book “is not about a quest to find such a historic relic or archaeological artifact, but about something much greater, since the Grail is not an object to be excavated and finally curated in a museum. It is rather about the ever-living hallow or sacred vessel that passes in and out of time and place, but which abides beyond both, in eternity and space. In this book we are concerned with the myth.” Powerful words!

Within they explore how the Elucidation relates to themes that have been informed their work within the Western Esoteric Tradition such as the Courts of Joy and the Maidens of the Wells as well as the connection with Faerie.

The way in which the mythology of the Grail has developed through texts and oral traditions is also explored stressing an awareness of the differences between the modern and medieval consciousness.

They confidently blend their scholarship with a style that is happy to relate the development of the Grail mythos within the Western tradition to more recent examples including J.R.R. Tolkien’s extensive writings on Middle Earth and the way that the original 1960s Star Trek series has expanded to create a modern mythos.

This is an intense work and as such is a book that is more suited to be referred to over time rather than a quick read. I felt that I had only grazed the surface with my initial reading.

I understand that an audiobook edition is being published in the near future narrated by Caitlin Matthews. This is certainly a format that I welcome.

I liked this well researched book about a theme I'm really interested in.
I appreciated the style of writing, the clarity of exposition, and the book is organized.
I look forward to reading other books by this authors.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.