CHIVALRY: Neil Gaiman sends a pensioner on an epic Arthurian adventure

A lot of fantasy books tell of great battles between warriors. Others tell of powerful eldritch abominations and the rituals that hold them in place. And some tell of beautiful beasts flying alongside sleeping children. Graphic novel Chivalry is not one of those fantasy books: Chivalry is something better.

Neil Gaiman tells the tale of Mrs. Whitaker, a widowed pensioner who discovers the Holy Grail among the gubbins in an Oxfam shop and takes it back home to place on her mantelpiece. Over the next few days, she has a series of mythical and magical encounters and doesn’t so much as bat an eyelid. This is what we expect from Gaiman: Chivalry is a perfect example of his brilliant ability to make the fantastical and historical humanising and everyday.

Every detail, character and sentence has been perfectly picked, making the story relatable, funny, sad and humbling. As for the art, Colleen Doran not only complements Neil’s writing, but elevates it. It is beautiful work and she must be praised for it. If anyone ever asked me what book they’d want me to read, I’d pick this up, push it firmly into their chests and point to the nearest chair.