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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
After reading a small number for Arthurian books this past year, I thought it important to read some of the 'soure' material that exists out there. To my dismay, the first copy I bought - this copy - is still an adaptation to what is considered the original. However, since it is already in my library, this felt like a good starting point.
Sir Thomas Malory is known as the one who compiled all of the records and stories of King Arthur into one somewhat linear story, titled "Le Morte d'Arthur" that was written in 1485 (such dates just put me in awe). And since then, other authors have use Malory's compilation as their launching point for their own versions of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Howard Pyle was an American author at the turn of the 20th century who took some liberties with his version of King Arthur from what I understand. However, he ultimately preserves the knightly chivalry and honor code that permeates Arthurian tales. It feels predominately masculine - as expected with works that have a well as deep in History as this story - and the women are certainly given little attention beyond being enchantingly beautiful or a hindrance to man's progress (I weep for Morgan Le Fay and Gwenevere in this version...they're nothing I know those women to be). However there were also progressive moments that surprised me, such as the riddle that Arthur must answer being that the thing women desire most is free will. A single bow in Pyle's direction for acknowleding the bare minimum.
The stories themselves jump around between Arthur and his Knights to which I learned very quickly that I prefer reading about Arthur and his adventures than I did his Knights. Arthur truly was a good person, who strived to do right for his people, and his cleverness and honor-code was dictated by his own morals. His knights, however, thought honorable and good in the name of their King, also sometimes weren't always insictively able to be as good as Arthur. Which I suppose only makes sense and it's a foreshadowing of why Camelot could never be eternal.
Overall, I was delighted by the experience, even if at times I found myself losing interest with some of the adventures.
There are three other novels by Howard Pyle that includes more stories of King Arthur that I plan to get my hands on because none of these stories delved into Lancelot yet, and I simply must see how that unfolds.
Sir Thomas Malory is known as the one who compiled all of the records and stories of King Arthur into one somewhat linear story, titled "Le Morte d'Arthur" that was written in 1485 (such dates just put me in awe). And since then, other authors have use Malory's compilation as their launching point for their own versions of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Howard Pyle was an American author at the turn of the 20th century who took some liberties with his version of King Arthur from what I understand. However, he ultimately preserves the knightly chivalry and honor code that permeates Arthurian tales. It feels predominately masculine - as expected with works that have a well as deep in History as this story - and the women are certainly given little attention beyond being enchantingly beautiful or a hindrance to man's progress (I weep for Morgan Le Fay and Gwenevere in this version...they're nothing I know those women to be). However there were also progressive moments that surprised me, such as the riddle that Arthur must answer being that the thing women desire most is free will. A single bow in Pyle's direction for acknowleding the bare minimum.
The stories themselves jump around between Arthur and his Knights to which I learned very quickly that I prefer reading about Arthur and his adventures than I did his Knights. Arthur truly was a good person, who strived to do right for his people, and his cleverness and honor-code was dictated by his own morals. His knights, however, thought honorable and good in the name of their King, also sometimes weren't always insictively able to be as good as Arthur. Which I suppose only makes sense and it's a foreshadowing of why Camelot could never be eternal.
Overall, I was delighted by the experience, even if at times I found myself losing interest with some of the adventures.
There are three other novels by Howard Pyle that includes more stories of King Arthur that I plan to get my hands on because none of these stories delved into Lancelot yet, and I simply must see how that unfolds.
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
I really liked this in the beginning but it wore thin over time. The characters were a bit silly and certain elements became repetitive - you can only read about so many jousts with the exact same wording before they become a bore. I quickly realized that the target audience is children but it's written in convoluted old English that isn't ideal for kids.
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I mean if you want King Arthur, this is the book. But it’s not like a fantasy book. This reads more like an academic text, so it’s brutal to read.
I understand the idea behind classic starts and have enjoyed many of them, but this version of King Arthur and his knights felt disjointed in this format.