Reviews

Idylls of the King by Alfred Tennyson

booksmellers's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

ovidusnaso's review against another edition

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4.0

Quoth the king, "wig".

hannahbananali's review against another edition

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4.0

Whoever would have thought that I would enjoy a 300 page poem?

Yes, this was a difficult read, but worth it in the end. Some of the idylls were heartbreaking, others infuriating, but all were written with such lyrical eloquence. If I didn't read this as part of a class, I think I would have hated it. But studying it in an academic perspective with a brilliant professor helped greatly in my understanding and appreciation of the text.

klein_beetle's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful sad fast-paced

2.5

thelastcolour's review against another edition

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4.0

This isn't a novel but poetry and it was breathtaking. I absolutely adore anything to do with King Arthur and Tennyson depicted his life and battles beautifully. There are stanzas about the battles and Guinevere's infidelity and all about the Knights of the Roundtable. I could go on forever about how beautiful this poem was but I won't. All I will say is that if you love Tennyson or the legends of King Arthur then give this book a go and you won't regret it.

indigo78180's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I particularly enjoyed the portrayals of Guinevere and King Arthur! They seemed a little less distantly regal here compared to Le Morte D'Arthur and a little more human and nuanced.

woolfardis's review against another edition

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3.0

The edition I own is not the complete work, nor is it in the original order. It features prose that details what each section entails, which was helpful in a sense but unnecessary in another. The illustrations were divine and the story itself was delightful, but this is not the edition one should read.

agonychristie27's review against another edition

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5.0

I love this collection. Tennyson has a way with words that fits with Arthur's story perfectly!

ivysarah11's review against another edition

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4.0

Gorgeous epic poem about the legend of King Arthur. The Idylls are varied in tone and have merit each on their own, but together they are best. This is my favorite telling of the Arthurian Legend I have read yet.

cecetales's review against another edition

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1.0

This is the first book I ever physically abused. I hated it so damn much. I had to read it for a university class, it made passing the class such a chore. I liked the other takes on Arthurian legend, but this one... Ack.