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{{work}}
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{{Infobox book
| title = Merlin
| original title =
| image =
| caption =
| author = Robert Nye
| central theme =
| elevator pitch =
| genre =
| publication date = 1978
| source page exists =
| wiki URL =
| wiki name =
}}
[[File:devilek_6839.png|frame|A page from the medieval manuscript, depicting the personification of Naughtiness.]]
 
{{quote|''A widespread taste for pornography means that nature is alerting us to some threat of extinction.''|[[J. G. Ballard]].}}▼
 
▲{{quote|''A widespread taste for pornography means that nature is alerting us to some threat of extinction.''|J.G. Ballard.}}
 
In this book, Robert Nye's version of the [[King Arthur]] legend, Guinevere is a stutterer, Arthur suffers from pathological sadism, and the devil prefers choir boys from virgins. But this is not why this book is interesting.
 
If a novel contains refined allusions to medieval theology and alchemy, makes an eye to the readers of Milton, Dante and Malory, has dialogues in Latin and metafictional interludes, only explicit pornography can save it from being torn to pieces by critics - and this is what happened to Nye's book. It presents a theory of conspiracy staying behind the Arthurian legend, at the same time offering a satirical interpretation of medieval culture based on Freudian psychoanalysis. Somehow, all this is done almost exclusively by the means of dialogues and pornography (and no, it really cannot be called erotica). If ita hadnovel notcontains beenrefined forallusions theto factmedieval thattheology ifand youalchemy, recommendedmakes itan eye to yourthe friendsreaders theyof wouldMilton, knowDante thatand youMalory, havehas readdialogues in Latin itand metafictional interludes, only explicit pornography can save it wouldfrom bebeing muchtorn moreto popularpieces thanby itcritics - and this is what happened to Nye's book.
 
{{tropelist}}
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=== Provides examples of: ===
* [[All Men Are Perverts]].
* [[All Women Are Lustful]].
* [[Anti-Anti-Christ]]: Merlin. Actually, he is in between of this and Antichrist, though he struggles to remain on the good side.
* [[As the Good Book Says...]]: Usually in connection with devils.
* [[Brother-Sister Incest]]: As could be expected, but much more kinky than in most versions of the Arthurian legend.
* [[Casual Kink]]: In this book, the lack of kink would be kinky.
* [[Confessional]]: Highly averted.
* [[Courtly Love]]: VERY much averted.
* [[A Date Withwith Rosie Palms]]: {{spoiler|Vivien}} and {{spoiler|Dame Pudicity}}.
* [[Demon Lords and Archdevils]]: Actually, two of them.
* [[Freud Was Right]]: Could serve as a summary of the work.
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* [[Excalibur]]: Mentioned by name.
* [[Foregone Conclusion]]: With an important exception of Sleeve Job.
* [[Genre Busting]]: While it is undisputablyindisputably a fantasy novel, at times it has much more in common with fantasies than with fantasy.
* [[Hot Witch]]: Morgan le Fay. Who else?
* [[Ironic Hell]]: Cameo appearance.
* [[Love Ruins the Realm]]: As always in Arthurian fantasy.
* [[Merlin]]: Obviously.
* [[Perspective Flip]]: Not the main point of the story, but done in an impressive way.
* [[Satan]].
* [[Short Title: Long Elaborate Subtitle]]: "Darkling Child of Virgin and Devil"
* [[Spank the Cutie]]: {{spoiler|Vivien}}.
* [[Supernatural Aid]]: Blasphemously averted (and yet highly accurate in terms of theology).
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{{reflist}}
[[Category:Classic Literature of the 1970s]]
[[Category:Fantasy Literature]]
[[Category:Merlin{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Literature]]
[[Category:Pages Needing an Entry Pimp]]
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