"One of the best takes on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It focuses strongly on Arthur's desire to put right above might and the tragedies that waylay his best intentions. Arthur, under Merlin's tutelage, grows from boy to young man, unaware he is heir to the throne until the fateful day he pulls the sword from the stone. Arthur uses his position as king to form the Knights of the Round Table and to overthrow his kingdom's notion of might over right and to establish justice. Things start off very well and Arthur's reign initially transforms the formerly violent land to one of peace and prosperity. Then after many years Mordred uses Lancelot and Gweneviere's traitorous love affair to his own advantage in oder to usurp the throne. White gives a human and thoughtful perspective to the story."
sayruh, Resident Scholar
"This story follows the young King Arthur (known to his friends as "the wart") through numerous allegorical adventures most of which involve him being changed into various types of animals, before Arthur finally stumbles upon the sword in the stone and discovers his destiny as king of all England.
"The Witch in the Wood", which explores the meaning of war and family, is mostly concerned with Arthur's exploits immeaditly after he becomes king, details the formation of the round table, and lays the seeds for his ultimate destruction at the hands of Mordred with his seduction by Morgause, and his marriage to Guinevere.
"The Ill-made Knight", which focuses on the character of Lancelot, relates his friendship with Arthur and his developing love for Guinevere - Lancelot is easily the best concieved character in the book, he's flawed, neurotic but horribly believable.
"Candle in the wind", is a tear jerker as the various plot strands in the earlier volumes link to the final catastrophic conclusion - Lancelot and Guinevere's betrayal of Arthur is made public when Arthur's scheming illegitmate son, Mordred, forces him to put on trial his two closest friends, and this action causes civil war throughout England, leaving Arthur alone and friendless.
If you find a five volume edition it will include a final book entitled "The Book Of Merlyn", this harks back to Arthur's childhood and the lessons about pacifism that he learnt from Merlin. T.H White was an ardent pacifist and although the book is based on Mallory's "Morte De Arthur" it is also heavily influenced by his political views and his feelings about the second world war, the book therefore has a strong anti-war message, this strengthens the book and enhances the ultimate tradegedy, but is a little over-egged in the Book of Merlyn."
mal Faloon, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of The Once and Future King
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- King Arthur
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- ruler
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- magical artifact
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- a kid
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
- wealthy
Has magical powers?
Yes
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
- obsessed
- deluded
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- healthy but a geeky weakling
Setting
Terrain
- Forests
Earth setting:
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
How much dialogue?
- significantly more descript than dialog
