T. H. White’s masterful retelling of the saga of King Arthur is a fantasy classic as legendary as Excalibur and Camelot, and a poignant story of adventure, romance, and magic that has enchanted readers for generations. Once upon a time, a young boy called “Wart” was tutored by a magician named Merlyn in preparation for a future he couldn’t possibly imagine. A future in which he would ally … which he would ally himself with the greatest knights, love a legendary queen and unite a country dedicated to chivalrous values. A future that would see him crowned and known for all time as Arthur, King of the Britons.
During Arthur’s reign, the kingdom of Camelot was founded to cast enlightenment on the Dark Ages, while the knights of the Round Table embarked on many a noble quest. But Merlyn foresaw the treachery that awaited his liege: the forbidden love between Queen Guenever and Lancelot, the wicked plots of Arthur’s half-sister Morgause and the hatred she fostered in Mordred that would bring an end to the king’s dreams for Britain—and to the king himself.
“[The Once and Future King] mingles wisdom, wonderful, laugh-out-loud humor and deep sorrow—while telling one of the great tales of the Western world.”—Guy Gavriel Kay
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Here it is, my favorite book if a nefarious (not to mention armed) person made me choose. No, it’s not a mystery. But it’s the best Arthurian story ever told, and it’s part of my long-standing obsession with Britain and all things English.
A classic in the genre and a great read for older kids. We all know the legend, but this book delves more into the characters.
“The Once and Future King” is one of my favorite books. Part fantasy (“The Sword in the Stone” was originally a separate work, as were the other sections), part psychology (Lancelot, Guinevere, Arthur, and God!), it is a marvelous retelling of the Camelot story. Indeed, it even wound up as a musical.
The best retelling of the Camelot story for young readers of all ages. (Marion Zimmer Bradley’s feminist take in MISTS OF AVALON has more grit and authenticity, but THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING still takes the prize for humor, romance and inspiration.) If you didn’t read this one in grade school, read it now. You’ll be glad you did!
The Once and Future King sparked my interest in Arthurian legends. I knew about King Arthur, and the various stories from the medieval period. I’d read some modern adaptations of those stories. But Once and Future King set everything in a world that was at once magical and also far more intimate and believable. This book made Arthur a person for me, rather than an archetype.
Easily the most enjoyable book I’ve ever read, with Watership Down putting in a strong second-place finish. Certainly the best ever in telling, and spinning anew, the centuries old Arthurian legend. Gone are the old stories relayed in stark and monotonous detail, replaced by characters bursting with vitality.
The story benefits greatly from White’s knowledge of medieval culture, Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, whose influence is credited directly in The Book of Merlyn, occasionally affected and quirky dialogue, infrequent intrusions of contemporary fact (the 1950s, both from White and Merlin’s perspective), and fascinating observations on human nature. But what makes the book truly sing are the titanic, troubled, and heroic characters, all striving in vain in favor of an ideal that ultimately cannot be supported due to a myriad of tiny failings inherent in the human condition.
The story teems with elements that readers of all ages can appreciate: a bit of history, a bit of love, a bit of learning, a bit of humor, a bit of bitterness, hope, miracles, and an ending that leaves you with an understanding that the ending only takes us back to the beginning, and that perhaps Arthur will have a second and better chance.
The effort required not to enjoy a book of this caliber is certainly as rare and extraordinary as the book itself.
a more modern look at Le Morte d’Arthur. It is the complete telling of King Arthur and Camelot. I love the world created by this story. Merlin, Lancelot, Guinevere and Arthur are some of my favorite characters n literature. A wonderful place to visit.
This is one of my favorite books of all time.
Classic
Beautifully developed characters and story line. Have returned to it many times through the years.
One of my favorite books EVER!!!!
I read this at least twice before, but reading it as an adult, on Kindle, I really appreciated it. A grand and magnificent story, well crafted and well written.
A wonderful account of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table and the Quest for the Holy Grail. Extremely well written. Battles, Magic, Romance.
A wonderful collection of Authorian legends woven into a coherent whole.
A classic must read for those interested in Authurian /Camelot legends. Definitely must read before Marian Zimmet Bradley’s Lady of the Lake series.
A fine, fine book.
Been an all time favorite most of my reading life. Juxtapose with Mists of Avalon for a 3D view of this mystic time in Britain.
A not to be missed classic.
This retelling of the story of King Arthur and his court at Camelot, the tragedy of his Queen and his best Knight Sir Lancelot, the hatred of him by his illegitimate son with the fey Morgana, is simply great. If you’ve ever struggled through trying to read the Middle English of Mallory’s Morte d’Arthur, written in Newgate Prison in about 1468-70, then you will be extremely grateful to T.H. White for rescuing the story by putting it into excellent English prose. While the first part, The Sword in the Stone, is about Arthur’s childhood and is written more for children, the rest of the book is about the politics of kingship, the atonement for sins, the wages of adultery, the pain of betrayal and the sadness of the loss of much of what you have built with blood, sweat and tears. Flavored by the author’s experience of WW II, the book will move you.
My favorite all time book about Arthur