The Once and Future King

Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining
Review: I found T.H. White's The Once and Future King to be very entertaining. It was hard to put this book down after I started it. Everyone has seen the disney Sword in the Stone, Merlin, or something else that has King Arthur in it. This book talks about his birth to his death, hardly leaving out any details. In the past I had never known who Galahad was or how Lancelot and Guinevere had begun to couple. I've seen movies such as First Knight and King Arthur and the difference in this book and the movies is very obvious. This book was simply refreshing.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: As a teenager, at the age of 17, I found this book to be an amazing, poignant work. It brings back the ideas of true honor and love which are not much represented in modern literature- not only the love between a man and a woman, but also between mentors and students, between brothers, in a family. Although the story is ended on a sad note, there is never useless melancholy, it is always touched by some kind of hope or compassion. Arthur loves his betrayer, even to the end. The title, even- denoting a future king- shows the hope which is to follow sorrow.
The characters are well rounded and built, and many are followed from life until death.
Tragedy, Romance, action, comedy- there's nothing to dislike about this book.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest medieval epics
Review: ever written. This is one of the few books I will (and have) reread. Each time has revealed a slightly different take on the story (perhaps depending on the readers' station in their own life), and it has never failed to plunge me into its environment---in my opinion, the pinnacle of the Middle Ages genre.

Rating:
Summary: Audio Book
Review: Is there an audio book for The Once and Future King? Please e-mail me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars and Counting
Review: First of all, I highly recommend this book to those of you who enjoy complex thinking. It is filled with innovative, insightful, and interesting not-so-everyday questions. Especially in the last chapter, there are several of these questions as Arthur contemplates his life on Earth. As stated in the book, there are certain ideas and knowledge that can only be learned through experience, it cannot be taught. Answers to questions like: "Did my life make a difference?" "Was it positive or negative?" or "Was it worth living?" may fit under this category.
But if you are not that kind of person, there is still reason for reading this book. There is betrayal, romance, wizardry, war, and much more to keep your attention. With all these different elements in the same book, how can it go bad? There is no reason that this book should not be liked by anyone. Although, yes, there are some character confusions (i.e. the four Cornwall brothers), switching of person from first (in book I and II) to third person (in book III) and more switching in book IV, and some plot complications, the book can still be appreciated. Many complain about its "boringness," its length, or that it was not like they had expected it to be, but that is their fault. One must be open to new books, new ideas, not expecting it to "sweep them off their feet" or be the best book they've read in their entire life. And still others complain about its horrible ending. Well, newsflash, it is a tragedy. The book is just a part of the original, Le Morte D'Arthur, or "The Death of Arthur". Even the real King Arthur's life was a tragedy. Attempting to make the book end happily would completely transform the book into a fictional fantasy.
I would also advocate people to read it a second time at a much later date. This book can still be of greater value because one would understand it better because of personal experience, relating to Arthur during his childhood, in his prime, and near death. The book also will have new meanings not noticed during the first attempt at reading. Being fifteen, and reading it for the first time, I do not understand what is occurring inside Arthur at his peak of glory (leading the best 150 knights in the world) and at his downfall (being betrayed by everyone) because of my own lack of experience. Yes, I have had good times and bad times but not of the same magnitude of Arthur.
The biggest impact on me while reading this book was realizing that humans, ants (only five types), and termites (only two types), wage war against their own species. Seeing as how people have fought with one another for millennia, it dawned on me, why? Why fight wars? Why not be like the other 99% of species on this planet? What are the benefits? Is it worth the risks? In the End, does it matter? I have been assessing these questions for a long while and I still cannot generate reasonable answers. Perhaps after reading this book, you could come up with reasonable answers for yourself.
In conclusion, if you have this book - read it. If you don't - purchase it and read it. It is as simple as that. It will be worth your time and you will have no regrets.


Rating:
Summary: An inconsistent read; fascinating social commentary
Review: TH White's Once and Future King is a decent read. I found it inconsistent in terms of time period and storyline, but I found it a fascinating social commentary.

In regard to the time period I found it extremely confusing. For instance in the beginning of the book the knights wear plate armor. At the end of the book they are still wearing plate armor but guns are introduced. This would but the time period about 1400 AD. But during the Wart's experience in falconry he meets a falcon who quotes William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The plate armor points to 1200 AD yet Shakespeare wasn't born until the 1500s when plate armor had since gone the way of the dinosaur. So it's hard to put the story in a discernable time frame.

Regarding the inconsistency of the story line, I found parts of the book that had no reason to be except add extra pages. A great example is the part about the Questing Beast with Grummore, Palomides, and Pellinore. It doesn't tie into anything later in the story so why is it there? Is it supposed to be funny? If anything I found it boring.

Now the social commentary was interesting. To answer your in class rhetorical question, Mr. Shakely, about the difference in the way people regarded war between 1938 and 1949 (which not so coincidently are copyright dates), I can tell you. In 1938 the US was recovering from the Great Depression, the clouds of war were already gathering again over Europe, and Japan had already been on a conquering spree in the Pacific for at lest 3 years. So America, in regard to any war said "We'll stay out of your business." After all, the memory of World War I was still pretty fresh in the memory. But in 1949 the mood had all changed. No longer was America or the world so indifferent to each other and for good reason. It was the Cold War. The Rosenthal's had been caught leaking nuclear secrets to the Soviets and the Soviets exploded their first A-bomb in '46 and in '49 they exploded their first H-bomb. The threat of nuclear annihilation and MAD (mutually assured destruction) was present in everyone's mind. So I'd say the view and general consensus towards war and conflict had changed.

In the book TH White has many views in regard to war, preventing war, justice, and so on. He presents his views in the literary vehicles of Arthur and Merlyn. Communism also makes a cameo appearance in the book a few times and in Arthur's quote to Lancelot, "Don't ever let anybody teach you to think, Lance: it is the curse of the world." White openly condemns communism through Arthur in this statement. Also he proves that no matter how hard you try you cannot make everyone equal. In regard to war and preventing war, first Arthur (White) tries to fight a war to get rid of evil, doesn't work. So, then Arthur decides to send the knights out to get rid of evil before it can start a war, doesn't work. Then for the sake of justice, almost kills his wife and becomes estranged from his best friend. Often it is hard to understand the social viewpoints of where White is writing from, but it is just one of the things the reader has to get through understand the full meaning of this book. That I'll leave up to the future reader of the novel.



Rating:
Summary: The Once and Future King
Review: T.H. White's The Once and Future King is a fascinating fantasy-fiction novel that tells the familiar story of a legendary king and a more detailed account of his accomplishments in question than those facts found in the pages of English history. The Once and Future King begins with part 1, The Sword in the Stone. This part describes Wart's (later known as King Arthur's) pleasant childhood and describes in-depth his whimsical experiences with his magical tutor, Merlyn. This leg of the book is especially light-hearted and enjoyable to read, but as Wart grows in age, the maturity of the book also subtly grows. What started out as a cheerful story is soon darkened by the powers of love, brutality, revenge, and the bitter truth. As the book progresses the story leaves Arthur and focuses on a young boy named Lancelot. As Lancelot grows towards manhood, he strives to be the best knight in the world by persevering with his training and discipline for over three years. At last when he is of age, he is welcomed to the Round Table at the court of Camelot. He quickly gains the respect of his fellow knights followed by the respect of the entire country. He proves himself time and time again to truly be the best knight in the world. For all his strengths and perfections he has one main weakness: Queen Guenever, Arthur's wife. Lancelot is tormented by this because he also loves Arthur and would never intentionally betray him, but he can not help falling in love with the King's wife. The tragic tale of Lancelot continues with him having an extremely prolonged love affair with Guenever, resulting in nothing but sadness and distrust.
As time relentlessly plods foreword and Arthur's Round Table begins to crumble because he has already vanquished all the villains in England and can no longer use his might for right, he resolves to use his might for spiritual purposes and sends his knights on a mission to seek the Holy Grail. Although the mission is accomplished, the Round Table is dangerously close to collapsing because over half of the knights have perished. The story continues on with more love, hatred, animosity, betrayal, death, and suicide. The book ends in an enlightening way that really makes you think about life and what a precious gift it really is.
Although the story becomes rather dark, there is a beauty to it that keeps the reader spellbound. I found that the more I read, the more enamored I became with the bitter-sweet tale and the less I wanted to put the book down. I gave this book four stars because it was an immensely fascinating saga, but it was hard to follow at points because the rather sporadic writing style sometimes made me feel like I had missed something or a long period of time had passed between chapters without the author telling the reader. Overall I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading a good book.


Rating:
Summary: OFK Book Review
Review: Last summer, I was assigned to read The Once and Future King for my English 2 XL class. Spontaneously, I expected a 636 page novel full of childlike fantasy, war, and history - which would've ruined my will and enjoyment of reading and as a result, my entire summer. However previous graduates of English 2 XL have told me that it is a class based on critical/creative thinking and the initiation of ideas. How could this history book be a part of the course? The answer revealed itself when I actually picked up the book and started reading. I noticed that T.H. White didn't just write a book of history and war; he wrote a magical book full of human qualities/character, politics, philosophy, and many other significant aspects. White wrote a book of one man's attempt to change the world - to reinvent chivalry, demeanor, and humanity.

The completely engrossing world of King Arthur is brought to life mainly through the wonderfully detailed emotions of the characters, ranging from the sly Mordred to the comic Pellinore, what, what. Their attitudes and behaviors are strikingly realistic; each one with his/her own individual qualities. Pertaining to character qualities, a main theme is portrayed when the fine line between youth and adulthood is discovered. White captures every single possible emotion of the ignorant youth, Kay, and the learnt and ponderous King Arthur. More specifically, the relationship between Guenever, Lancelot, and Arthur has to be the most complex and lifelike situation I've ever witnessed in any book.

Moreover, the most important theme and idea presented in this book are found in the inspiring words of Merlyn and in the constructive thoughts of Arthur's mind. Based on the assumption that man was decent, and obviously building upon the pacifist thoughts of the author, Merlyn guided Arthur to look on the world through a completely new perspective. In the medieval conditions in which Arthur inherited by his father, Uther Pendragon, the whole of England was molded around the brute and unlawful actions of the all-powerful knights and king. Arthur, with the help of Merlyn, "quested" about in attempt to civilize their civilization and the whole of mankind - introducing the issue of stopping the endless circle of death and revenge, and moreover, dealing with Might to establish Right. So in my opinion, the interesting and meaningful plot, coupled with the brilliant and diverse array of character behaviors/emotions, is really what makes this book worth while to read.

The many notable quotes, given from Merlyn as advice to young Arthur, were based on the whole idea of thinking for oneself, because "education is experience, and the essence of experience is self-reliance (46)." In effect, this book inspired me to think for myself, expanding the horizons of my thought - especially when relating them to today's problems and the uncertain fate of humanity. Therefore, I highly recommend this book to anyone, of any age, who enjoys not only great classics of Arthurian legend, but also a book filled with personality and insight.



Rating:
Summary: Keep your belt, shoelaces, and sharp objects away from you
Review: I tried to read this book. I really tried. But I just couldn't. I didn't have the willpower.

The book was so incredibly long and so inexplicably boring that I couldn't bear to look at it. Off the top of my head I can name several things more enjoyable than this book: root canals, laceration, open heart surgery, pneumonia, Geraldo Rivera, being buried alive, massive headwounds, a Full House marathon.

I get mad just thinking about it. Now I have to go to therapy every week for three hours. The group sessions help a little bit, but they will never erase the pain I experienced in trying to read this book.

The book is about a kid named Wart who is taught a bunch of stuff by an old guy named Merlyn who turns him into random animals. Then Wart pulls a sword out of a stone. He becomes king of England.

That's really all that's worth knowing.

If you enjoy extreme boredom, or are some kind of masochist, I highy reccomend this book. Otherwise, don't subject yourself to the unbearable nature of this book, because you will end up with one phone call a week in a room with padded walls.

Rating:
Summary: A True Arthurian Legend
Review: The Once and Future King provides an excellent perspective into the world of Arthur, the King of England. This book is divided into four sections, each dealing with the different aspects of Arthur's life, including both the good and the bad. The first book, the Sword and the Stone, has been immortalized by countless movies, such as the one by Disney. This book deals with the upbringing of Arthur, or in this case, Wart, his childhood nickname. Here we see the trials Wart must face as he learns about the many forms of leadership, courtesy of his mentor, Merlyn.
The second book, the Queen of Air and Darkness, is a prelude to the collapse of Arthur's kingdom. The result of this book begins to brew throughout the entire novel, finally impacting at the end of the final book.
The third book, the Ill-Made Knight, is my personal favorite. This book is about Lancelot's personal quest to become the best knight in the world. This book is filled with exciting quests that Lancelot has taken up, including such things as saving a maiden from a boiling pot of water, as well as the ill-fated quest to find the Holy Grail.
The fourth and final book, the Candle in the Wind, deals with the collapse of Arthur's kingdom. Arthur's sins "come home to roost" in this book, forcing him to make decisions that could jeopardize the safety of his wife, Guenever, and his best friend, Lancelot.
This novel is truly one of the classic fantasy books that one reads and never forgets. Although there are many portrayals of the Arthurian legend, this is without a doubt one of the better ones.