A 13th-century French version of the Camelot legend, written by an unknown author. It depicts a Round Table diminished in strength after the Quest ...
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Sep 06, 2008
q
rated it: 
This has spoilers, but I haven't marked it because the material is familiar to almost everyone in the west, at least. If you really don't want spoilers, stop now.
The Mort Artu is the last part of the so-called Vulgate Cycle, most of which is unavailable in English at a price I can afford. The Cycle was probably written by different authors, and the last part can stand on its own, but it would be more interesting to read it after the others.
The material here is perhaps the More...
The Mort Artu is the last part of the so-called Vulgate Cycle, most of which is unavailable in English at a price I can afford. The Cycle was probably written by different authors, and the last part can stand on its own, but it would be more interesting to read it after the others.
The material here is perhaps the More...
Feb 05, 2009
Tyas
rated it: 
Okay, so here's the thing:
1) This review here may contain what you may consider spoilers. But since I think most people have known how the popular legends of King Arthur end anyway, I don't consider what I write as really spoilery.
2) This was written centuries ago. So even if you have the (modern?) conviction that knights are brutal, fierce creatures, no need to ask why the knights portrayed using the high-medieval approach swoon half-to-death because their beloved one More...
1) This review here may contain what you may consider spoilers. But since I think most people have known how the popular legends of King Arthur end anyway, I don't consider what I write as really spoilery.
2) This was written centuries ago. So even if you have the (modern?) conviction that knights are brutal, fierce creatures, no need to ask why the knights portrayed using the high-medieval approach swoon half-to-death because their beloved one More...
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Feb 25, 2010
Lucy
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Penguin Classics books are always a hit with me. Every time I decide to pick up one of these books, I come out completely satisfied. It was no different with this last purchase.
Sitting quaint in my favourite used book store, this tiny book ( at only $1.99) was just waiting for the right person to pick it up and give it a chance. I’m so glad I did!
The Death of King Arthur, is the famous king's tale written by an unknown author - ‘but most probably a Frenchman from More...
Mar 06, 2011
Maja
rated it:
I picked up this book mainly because I was curious. Everyone ones the name King Arthur, but only few can say, that they actually know more than just that. There are of course many tales of King Arthur and his noble knights, but this was the first that I read, and I found it very intriguing. I was fascinated, not only by the story, but also by the writing and the themes. It' a story of love, loyalty, courage and honour beyond any other. Emotions are high and powerful in this story; if someone lov
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Sep 04, 2011
Ensiform
rated it:
Actually more about the fall and rise of Lancelot than the depleting fortunes of Arthur, although the two are intertwined. There are very few magical elements in this telling; it's a series of realistically-described, tragic events that --- as the story makes clear --- could have been prevented if Arthur, at the time of the narrative 92 years old, had not been so woolly-headed and easily swayed by the overpowering vengeance of Gawain, as well as entrusting his kingdom to Mordred, whom even Guin
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Jul 21, 2011
Ed
rated it:
This looks like the same cover, but the page count does not match, mine is a little-bitty-teeny-weenie miniature Penguin, albeit without a penchant for swimming through ice cold water or eating fish.
This is the tail-end of the Arthur legends, and like all ends, there is a sense of loss, which is enhanced by Mallory's archaic, elegiacal, and pensive prose.
<spoiler>
The final end of Arthur, Guinevere (who repents her extramarital affair (albeit with the flower of More...
This is the tail-end of the Arthur legends, and like all ends, there is a sense of loss, which is enhanced by Mallory's archaic, elegiacal, and pensive prose.
<spoiler>
The final end of Arthur, Guinevere (who repents her extramarital affair (albeit with the flower of More...
Jan 03, 2011
Elise
rated it: 
'I shall quite certainly fight him,' said the king, 'even if I have to die as a result, because I should be a coward if I did not defend my land against a traitor.'
This book should of been called "The story of Lancelot, oh and King Arthur is there as well" because even when the book says it is moving on to tell a story about King Arthur or Sir Gawaine or Mordred it is always about Lancelot.
This book was originally in French and is from the thirteenth-century so More...
This book should of been called "The story of Lancelot, oh and King Arthur is there as well" because even when the book says it is moving on to tell a story about King Arthur or Sir Gawaine or Mordred it is always about Lancelot.
This book was originally in French and is from the thirteenth-century so More...
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Jul 20, 2010
Nikki
rated it:
This book is a translation of a part of the Vulgate Cycle, unfortunately a bit from the end. I really want to read that from the beginning, but this translation picks up after the end of the Grail quest. It's easy enough to follow, for me, but then, I know the story inside out. It's a much less fantastical narrative than some -- there's only one major bit of magic I can think of, and that's the hand of the Lady of the Lake catching Excalibur when Arthur has it thrown into the water at the end of
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Dec 27, 2007
Ravi
rated it:
After finally reading this (and my english seminar professor may raise a few eyebrows at this confession), I really do want to complete the rest of the Arthurian legend material, from Cretian de Troyes' contributions, to Mallory's work, in order to understand more of the references that are laced throughout this story.
This book covers the fall of Camelot and ends with the death of King Arthur. If your only exposure to King Arthur are the movies, then this book may surprise you in te More...
This book covers the fall of Camelot and ends with the death of King Arthur. If your only exposure to King Arthur are the movies, then this book may surprise you in te More...
Aug 07, 2011
Gwenhwyfar
rated it: 
A lot of people complain that this book goes on about Lancelot too much and isn't at all that interesting, I however found it to be very interesting and a different look on the legend. I enjoyed having Lancelot's character thought out a bit more than he usually is and having more of a focus on the knights rather than just on Arthur.
Mar 14, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
Medieval literature is very strange. I love it! I have been reading a series of King Arthur text for a class and this book has been my favorite. I think that there is many ways in which you can analyze some of the stories my favorite was the story of the Poisoned Apple.
Oct 30, 2007
Kathryn
rated it:
I actually really loved this book! It was truly a pleasure to read and I really felt I'd got a vacation from my generally burdensome reading load, even though this was valuable in an academic sense, as well. The style flowed well, with a subtle and touching blend of action, romance, suspense, philosophy and everything else that makes our hearts beat and know that we're ALIVE! I especially appreciated the age of chivalry after some of the other eras I'd studied...!
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Jan 13, 2008
Vohumanu
rated it:
It's funny how often people don't recognise each other. Not just "Oh it was you Lancelot, greatest knight in the world, who was at the tournament disguised, but was still the greatest knight in the world with your height and build", but also, "Oh it was you cousin Bors who gave me this terrible wound, dressed in your traditional heraldry". Arthur speaks to the lady of the tower all night and then the next morning recognises her as his sister Morgan.
Apr 22, 2009
Bobby
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 17, 2007
Benji
rated it:
Great! And an easy read for someone just getting into this kind of stuff. It has a nice voice, plain and concise. Prose.
Dec 02, 2010
Most of the reading I'm doing now is to try to get caught up on true classics.
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