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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
Terrible book. Horrendous anachronisms throughout the entire book (druids, cannons and Bolsheviks did not all exist in Dark Ages England, and certainly not at the same time!) The dialogue was painful to read, the "heroes" were one dimensional and boring, and the villains were blindingly stupid with no apparent motives whatsoever other than "I want power". Does not deserve the reputation it has received.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There's a reason this is called the definitive Arthurian legend.
I was not a huge fan of the book. I initially did not like book 1 too much but as I read the other books, I began to like it more. While it initially seemed childish, it did have a positive innocence to it that I appreciated. The other ones were centered around 3 very plain, boring characters. I don't know if there was to be some deeper meaning for Guenever, Lancelot, and Arthur that I was unfamiliar with but much of the story dragged on, repeating similar tales, discussing the same problems, with very little progress made on any of them until the last 50 pages of the book. Even then, the resolution was far from satisfying. I could hardly understand half the Orkneys (especially Gawaine) and the use of magic was completely arbitrary, popping up randomly, being super strong, and then disappearing until the next part of the story-line needed some drama.
Emma and I are reading book 1: THE SWORD IN THE STONE. I love the sections when Merlyn changes Wart into different animals so that he can learn from experience how actions have consequences. I am also always moved by the gifts he receives after receiving the sword. A great anti-war statement from 1939!
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wanted to read it for nostalgia sake, but could not get into it.