King Arthur books

[pontifex]

I recently came across a prog rock album based on the King Arthur story and its got me more interested in the King Arthur.

Need some recommendations on books about the story or even the best versions of the original story.

Obviously have loved the Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Also really liked the movie Excalibur from 1981.

 

[sdifox]

http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/king-arthur


ask your local librarian, they would know.

 

[Crono]

This is on my list, as well, as a potential inspiration source for a book I'm working on.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Mammoth-Bo.../dp/0786705329

 

[arrfep]

The Once and Future King is considered one of the best. Read it freshman year of HS and loved it.

 

[ElFenix]

just read malory

The Once and Future King is considered one of the best. Read it freshman year of HS and loved it.

the only thing i really remember about that book is the number of times white punted and literally wrote 'go read malory'

 

[sdifox]

I liked the Marion Simmer Bradley books too.

 

[IronWing]

A.A. Attanasio's Arthur series is really good. It doesn't follow Malory and the author adds a lot from his own imagination.

The Dragon and the Unicorn
The Eagle and the Sword
The Wolf and the Crown
The Serpent and the Grail



http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Unicorn...dp/0340617659/

 

[mmntech]

Historia Brittonum by 9th century historian Nennius contains the earliest references to Arthurian legend. Though it's pretty much what you'd expect from a 1200 year old text. Not exactly light reading so it's not for everyone.

 

[Markbnj]

Mary Stewart's four volume treatment beginning with "The Crystal Cave" is superb. Bernard Cornwell's three volume series beginning with "The Winter King" is also excellent.

 

[thtadthtshldntbe]

The Once and Future King is considered one of the best. Read it freshman year of HS and loved it.

yeah but OP remember, the Once and Future King is written almost as a sort of contextual expansion of L'Morte D'arthur.

My short list of Arthurian favorites

The Idylls of the King (by Tennysen)
L'Morte D'arthur
Mary Stewarts Merlin books (starts with the Crystal Cave)
The Once and Future King

Featuring Arthur's story, but not 100% central, Guy Gauriel Kay's Fionavar Tapestry.

 

[pontifex]

I'm reading Le Morte D'Arthur right now and there's hardly anything about Arthur in it, lol.
Its mostly stories about other Knights of the Round Table and Arthur is occasionally mentioned. wtf?

 

[Markbnj]

Mallory is definitely worth a read, if your interest in the foundation of the Arthurian myths is more than passing. So is Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain. Nearly complete fiction, and only part of it deals with Arthur, but still it's good background. Ditto Chretien de Troyes, although I can't recommend a specific translation.

But for the fully developed tale, written in a way that appeals to modern tastes, I still think Mary Stewart and Bernard Cornwell are the best examples.

 

[Craig234]

May as well include A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain.

I think it's interesting to consider why we're so fascinated by the legend.

The most important modern connection for the legend is how many people used it as a metaphor for the JFK presidency, called 'Camelot', for pretty good reasons.

Why is the Merlin figure important? Why does the 'sword in the stone' test matter? Why the developments with his sister and son?

There's the important idea of the 'round table' for his governing style - where did that come from, any relation to the issue of absolute monarchy versus parliament?

It's been enormously popular for some reason.

Actually, can I suggest a book with the real history of the middle ages, it's fascinating, 'Civilization in the Middle Ages'?

Stories of things like how the Pope, fighting for power, plotted to sneak a crown on the head of King Charlemagne while he prayed, and shout a phrasewhile placing the crown that he was making Charlemagne emporer, because that would give the Pope a form of power - an act he did that infuriated Charlegmane?

 

[Fayd]

Fate Stay Night


*dodges shoes being thrown*

 

[gotsmack]

He sold out and now sells flower. It's a pretty good product, but huge step down from being King.

 

[DaveSimmons]

David Drake's The Dragon Lord has Arthur as a supporting character instead of as the main focus, but it's a good fantasy story that's not related to the Camelot tales.

 

[Howard]

Fate Stay Night


*dodges shoes being thrown*

Pervert.

 

[pontifex]

Fate Stay Night


*dodges shoes being thrown*

I had to look this up. Other than mentioning the Holy Grail, what does this have to do with the King Arthur legend?

 

[Fayd]

I had to look this up. Other than mentioning the Holy Grail, what does this have to do with the King Arthur legend?

one of the "heroes" is supposed to be a female king arthur, and it has some retelling of the original events of the arthur legend.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

I recently came across a prog rock album based on the King Arthur story and its got me more interested in the King Arthur.

Need some recommendations on books about the story or even the best versions of the original story.

Obviously have loved the Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Also really liked the movie Excalibur from 1981.

Here's the next one.

 

[Markbnj]

David Drake's The Dragon Lord has Arthur as a supporting character instead of as the main focus, but it's a good fantasy story that's not related to the Camelot tales.

Speaking of that, didn't Guy Gavriel Kay also tie Arthurian lore into "The Fionavar Tapestry?"

 

[pontifex]

Here's the next one.

huh? it's a little kid with what I assume is an iphone?

 

[electronicmaji2]

King Arthur Flour is awesome.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

huh? it's a little kid with what I assume is an iphone?

He's the next King Arthur.

 

[pontifex]

He's the next King Arthur.

ok? why?