Is there anyone out there who's interested in King Arthur?

[Grey_Wolf]

He's my favourite Mythological character. And anything pertaining to him.

The King Arthur-books I have are the following:

Roger Lancelyn Green's King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table.

A A Attanasio's King Arthur quartet.

And I'm collecting yet another series of King Arthur books (a quintet).

So, what are your views on the subject?

[IronParrot]

On the other hand, let's not go to Camelot. 'Tis a silly place.

I have a general gist of the whole King Arthur mythos but only in a very general sense... Monty Python aside, there really isn't a definitive telling of it yet.

But the very best take on Arthurian legend, in my opinion, is Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising pentalogy.

[azalea]

I love the Dark is Rising series, I started a thread about Mary Stewart's series, and I have recommended The Once and Future King on a couple of threads. I also have a trilogy by Stephen Lawhead but I haven't read it yet. Unfortunately I haven't read any of the truly definitive books/ texts that chronicle the legend, but I love what I've read. I tried to start reading one called The Coming of the King, but stopped in the first chapter.

[Finrod Felagund]

The five part Pendragon Caycle by Stephen Lawhead is great! So is Mary Stewart but read your Lawheads as soon as possible

(Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon and Grail)

[azalea]

I only have the first three; I guess I'll have to read them and get the other 2.

[elf_princess]

I LOVE reading about King Arthur legends. I read them a lot actually... there are quite a few in Bullfinch's mythology. Good book...

[Grey_Wolf]

Originally posted by Finrod Felagund
The five part Pendragon Caycle by Stephen Lawhead is great! So is Mary Stewart but read your Lawheads as soon as possible

(Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon and Grail)

The Lawhead Pentology is the one I'm currently collecting. Waiting for Part four and five.

But if you want to read a really poetic King Arthur story try to get hold of A A Attanasio's quartet. It's a bit difficult to read due to the author's special prose.

[Spock]

Ah, well, I'm a believer and so prejudice. I've read most of the conventional books (Stewart, Lawheat etc.) as well as researched the legend. I've even gone on a personal quest to Cornwall and walked the sites of battles and all. I came away more of a believer than I was before I started.

[Grey_Wolf]

Originally posted by Spock
Ah, well, I'm a believer and so prejudice. I've read most of the conventional books (Stewart, Lawheat etc.) as well as researched the legend. I've even gone on a personal quest to Cornwall and walked the sites of battles and all. I came away more of a believer than I was before I started.

Part of the legend is that he will come back when England is in dire need of a strong and willful leader. I believe that to be true.

[Earniel]

Has any one read Mallory? What did you think of his writings?

[Grey_Wolf]

Originally posted by Eärniel
Has any one read Mallory? What did you think of his writings?

I've only read Green's & Attanasio's King Arthur novels. What KA-books has Mallory written?

[Spock]

Le Morte D'Arthur by Mallory is the definitive book which starts many interested in the legend. The style and information given is very easy to read and insightful when tracking events.
Also T.H. White's book The Book of Merlyn is quite interesting and was the basis for the play "Camelot".

[Grey_Wolf]

Originally posted by Spock
Le Morte D'Arthur by Mallory is the definitive book which starts many interested in the legend. The style and information given is very easy to read and insightful when tracking events.
Also T.H. White's book The Book of Merlyn is quite interesting and was the basis for the play "Camelot".

Le Morte D'Arthur was the basis for John Boorman's Excalibur, an absolutely excellent movie.

[Earniel]

Originally posted by Spock
Le Morte D'Arthur by Mallory is the definitive book which starts many interested in the legend. The style and information given is very easy to read and insightful when tracking events.

You found it easy? My copy was old-english, it came this close to killing me. Although, once you get the hang of it it's reasonably easy to read.

A month or so ago, the BBC aired a very cool documentary about the myths concerning King Arthur. I missed the largest part of it (stupid magazine, fne) Has anyone else seen it?

[Menelvagor]

I've read the Stewart series, their my favorites. I would also recomend the Once and Future King, but if you read it, whatever you do, don't read the sequel, it's aweful. I've read Geofrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain, which has a lot of Arthur stuff and I have Le Mort D'Arthur but I haven't read it yet.

I've heard that Le Mort D'Arthur was the book that started the Lancelot-Guinevere plot, anyone know anymore about that?

[azalea]

I think that's right.

So let's talk about King Arthur. What are your thoughts? For instance, do you think he was truly the fated King to bring peace and stability to the realm, or was he just a hapless child who Merlin molded to become the ruler he thought should reign?

Just thought we should have a little literary discussion.

[Earniel]

As far as I know Merlin wasn't real, or at least not in that time. I believe I read that somewhere, can't be sure. But I doubt that Arthur was fated to be the bringer of peace. I think he was just a king or warlord that inspired people.

[azalea]

I really just meant from a fantasy perspective, as in IF the whole fanatsy of it were real, then...

[Grey_Wolf]

Originally posted by azalea
I really just meant from a fantasy perspective, as in IF the whole fanatsy of it were real, then...

Well, (In reality) Merlin COULD just have been a tinkler in alchemy and black magic and COULD perhaps have had ambitions toward helping a hapless child (come warlord) to be THE King of England and the saviour of the same in the far future.

BUT on the other hand it COULD also be JUST a legend do INSPIRE the people of England (and perhaps even the world) in doing good towards your fellow man and defeat ever encroaching evil.

[Earniel]

Originally posted by azalea
I really just meant from a fantasy perspective, as in IF the whole fanatsy of it were real, then...

Ooops,sorry, didn't realise that. I'm a hasty folk I've only read malory and a few articles regarding the possible real elements in the arthurian myths. You've got so many different types. There are myths with Lancelot and some without, some with Morgana the fay , in other versions she's left out. Some change the role of Merlin completely.

But let me think.... I think Merlin did plan a lot for Arthur to make him ruler of the whole of Brittain, but I think he must have seen something in the boy that made him the perfect choice.