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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Started on a lifelong Arthurian pilgrimage
This has been one of my favorite books for decades. Rereads with all the joy and excitement of the first time. A must for Aurthurian afficinados. Haven’t read it awhile. Think I’ll move it up the stack!
I read this decades ago, when I was a teenager still mourning the death of my father. I found it witty, enchanting and comforting. Some of its mages have stayed with me lo, these many years later…
A true classic
Enthralling
I first read this book when I was 15 years old…that was in 1965. I’ve read it twice more since over the years, and it never gets old.
The best telling of the Arthurian legends you will ever find! No other comes close. I have read it several times over the years. One of my favorites.
Great read.
It was great to read about King Arthur and his knights of the round table. Delightful in places, hard to read in others. A classic filled with lots of fun stories.
I love this book. It is one of the most readable of all interpretations of the Arthurian legend. It’s a great way to get young readers interested in history and White makes the story accessible.
A classic
Liked it enough to read & reread. Have done so several times over the decades. First read this book in high school.
One of my favorite books of all time.
Two books in 0ne. The first part (basically Sword in the Stone) is bright, fun and relatable. The second part is dark and essentially a morose tragedy.
This author was my introduction to Camelot and my all time favorite version. I’m going to go read the series again. I love the round table.
This is THE Arthur/Merlin/Avalon collection!
This is one of my favorite books. It is worth reading at least once a decade. It should be a must read to understand our culture.
This is one of my favorite books ever written. I love the Sword in the Stone and A Candle in the Wind the most, because those first and last parts work to create the full picture of Arthur’s development and how he ends up tragically trapped in his own morals. I plan to read this at least every decade for my entire life.
This has been my favorite Camelot book since I was in high school. The first half THE SWORD IN THE STONE is hilarious. (don’t judge by the crappy Disney cartoon). This is the best King Arthur story and I have read dozens. I could hardly believe it when I got it for 2 bucks! By the way the musical Camelot was based on the second half of the book. Alas no Franco Nero or Richard Harrison belting out tunes in the book.
One of the best books written on Arthurian cycle in my view.