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maxpietersen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Sad story really
kmac93's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lucieloureads's review against another edition
3.0
My least favourite so far.
The ending sums it up by saying maybe war is always for nothing. The Lancelot/Jenny affair is finally brought to justice, to everyone but Mordred’s reluctance. Because it turns out Arthur is pretty chill about his wife’s cheating and it’s an open secret. Mordred is such an unlikable character, though I became tired of all of them pretty quickly. High morality I’m finding can be pretty boring.
The ending sums it up by saying maybe war is always for nothing. The Lancelot/Jenny affair is finally brought to justice, to everyone but Mordred’s reluctance. Because it turns out Arthur is pretty chill about his wife’s cheating and it’s an open secret. Mordred is such an unlikable character, though I became tired of all of them pretty quickly. High morality I’m finding can be pretty boring.
quixoticbee's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful! looking forward to sharing this with Brock someday.
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh, still finding the characters unlikable. Maybe I will like the last book better when Merlin returns?
pagesofpins's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. We get back into the action, Arthur finally explains what happened with Mordred, and the series ends with a fitting dose of tragedy and a flicker of hope.
tabithar's review against another edition
4.0
This was at points challenging to read because I know how the story ends...and I dreaded reliving the sadness and strain. At the same time, there is a lot of good philosophical insight in "The Candle in the Wind". There is an attempt to understand humanity, might vs. right, and the best way to govern people. Its stunning how relevant and recent text from 80 years ago can feel today, in our present political climate. It becomes clear these books were written for a teenage or adult audience willing to think about choices and government. I would say that the philosophical aspects make these books worth the time investment. I would suggest reading something distinctly happy before and after this series.
Note: This text brings the first three books together but doesn't complete the story of Arthur. The final book is titled "The Book of Merlyn" and was published posthumously after being rejected by the publishers for anti war propaganda in a war era. (~WWII)
Note: This text brings the first three books together but doesn't complete the story of Arthur. The final book is titled "The Book of Merlyn" and was published posthumously after being rejected by the publishers for anti war propaganda in a war era. (~WWII)
lordenglishssbm's review against another edition
4.0
A grim and ambiguous ending, but a fitting one. The action is there, in the background, but the emphasis is on Arthur's internal struggle, on the failure of his quest to make something better, and of his struggles to come to term not just with that failure, but also with his efforts themselves. White's political analysis falls flat at times, but he never commits so totally to one view that it kills the work, and his willingness to interrogate and question every aspect of Arthur's character is what makes the work so compelling.
At its heart, the story of King Arthur has always been a tragedy, but it wasn't until reading this series, as humorous as it could be, that I really felt it that way. The Once and Future King isn't just about the death of a dream, it's about coming to terms with the realization that what you want might never have been possible. That even under ideal circumstances, with the best people behind you, some things just aren't in the cards, and what might make your idea good might also end up being the thing that sinks it. White even wrote a fifth, posthumously published book that leans more into that final idea, but it wasn't included when the series was collected and, frankly, isn't very good. I'm frankly glad that it isn't included in most collections, because I think this is the ending the series deserves: A dark reminder that maybe, just maybe, if you're right, even if you fail, someone else will remember what you tried to do, and they'll take it with them into the future.
Hell, maybe they'll succeed.
Overall, this is an exceptional series. One that runs the gamut from funny to heartbreaking with memorable, complex characters and strong prose throughout. I highly recommend it.
At its heart, the story of King Arthur has always been a tragedy, but it wasn't until reading this series, as humorous as it could be, that I really felt it that way. The Once and Future King isn't just about the death of a dream, it's about coming to terms with the realization that what you want might never have been possible. That even under ideal circumstances, with the best people behind you, some things just aren't in the cards, and what might make your idea good might also end up being the thing that sinks it. White even wrote a fifth, posthumously published book that leans more into that final idea, but it wasn't included when the series was collected and, frankly, isn't very good. I'm frankly glad that it isn't included in most collections, because I think this is the ending the series deserves: A dark reminder that maybe, just maybe, if you're right, even if you fail, someone else will remember what you tried to do, and they'll take it with them into the future.
Hell, maybe they'll succeed.
Overall, this is an exceptional series. One that runs the gamut from funny to heartbreaking with memorable, complex characters and strong prose throughout. I highly recommend it.