Arthurian legend reads differently now that I am done reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain. I always had a faint sense of longing for the world of knights and chivalry; but now that a brighter light has been shed on that world through research…I desire the wholesome fantasy of that world less.
Yet, there is so much intriguing media about King Arthur, his knights, Merlin, and the Lancelot and Guinevere debacle that my interest is always piqued at the sight of something Arthurian.
Today we examine and outline The Once and Future King (1958) by T.H. White.
Summary
The novel is broken up into four parts: The Sword in the Stone (1938), The Queen of Air and Darkness (1939), The Ill-Made Knight (1940), and The Candle in the Wind (1958). The novelette collection is heavily inspired by Le Morte Darthur by Sir Thomas Malory. The story details Arthur’s beginnings to his end, covering his tutelage, reign, and downfall.
Book blurb
From the Book blurb:
“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 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.”
Critical response
T.H. White’s The Once and Future King has a 4.07 on Goodreads.
Five-star reviews reference the “classic” nature of the book and the “great characters” present between the covers. One reviewer writes that it is the “pinnacle of all fantasy,” which speaks to its stature in the annals of literature. Meanwhile, one-star reviews also referenced its “pinnacle” nature but as a detractor as it is far more “boring” than “crucial.” Moreover, other reviewers reference other interpretations as superior including Sir Thomas Mallory’s version.
Of course, separating these two ideas is essential, especially with a book that has an average of 4 out of 5 stars, as they offers some insight into its clout as a literary staple.
Impressions
One of my earliest memories of film is The Sword in the Stone (1963) from Disney, which is largely taken from The Once and Future King’s first part. With that said, this book has been on my book list for a long time, and I have been waiting to pick it up. However, it’s length is a little upsetting as it appears to be really long, and that may be one of its weaknesses as it has a very digestible film counterpart.
Yet, I think one of the strengths is that it was written by T.H. White who uses solid description and verbiage to convey a fantastical point. As White states in the book: “What did happen was that Merlyn, who had been saying the final spells under his breath, suddenly turned himself into a condor, leaving the Wart standing on tiptoe unchanged” (White). The writing is straightforward and modern, which makes reading Arthurian legend much easier than some of White’s forbearers.
Nevertheless, I look forward to diving into this one at some point in the future when I come back to Arthurian lore.
