*
July 27, 2011
Note: When I wrote the commentary below, I really did not understand Malory's depiction of the love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere. After giving it time and study, I find it to be a shallow, thoughtless, and self-gratifying study. It's almost as if he tossed the whole 'cheating on their best friend/husband' thing aside so that he could turn Lancelot into the hero Malory wanted Lancelot to be. The story still has great merit, but that particular aspect of the story was not truthful.

Still, I did enjoy the mythopoeic nature of the story exceedingly.

*
Began reading abridged version, second time, January 15, 2011

Finished March 31, 2011

Notes:
O.k. I really do not understand Guinever and Lancelot's relationship. The medieval idea of a a "saintly" courtly lover having four qualities: humility, courtesy, involvement in an adulterous relationship, and practicing the religion of love is, according to my beliefs, downright crazy.

Anyone out there understand this theme in the story better than I do?

*

First review - August 7, 2010:

Malory's rendition of the tale of King Arthur and the round table was thoroughly enjoyable. It was beautifully crafted, delicate in its transitions from fairy tale to verisimilar fiction, and masterful in its storytelling.

The scenes surrounding the attainment of the holy grail were particularly memorable. The image of Percival's lifeless sister floating in an unguided boat towards the castle of the holy grail, with the dishonorable and prideful Lancelot therein by God's command was deserving of a Peter Jackson film all in itself. The scenes surrounding the penultimate climax of Sir Galahad, Sir Percival, and Sir Bor's attainment of the grail were so short, perhaps only 80 pages (out of a thousand), and somehow their succinct nature enhanced the visuals four times over. It was beautiful.

I'll quickly run out of superlatives talking about the book, but there were many parts that also troubled me. I had a strong preconception about Lancelot from having recently read T.H. White's rendition of the tale. His version of Lancelot was less satisfying to me, and it wasn't until the end of reading Malory's rendition that I really understood more of Lancelot and Guinevere's characters. I understood more thoroughly Guinevere's mindset: she was truly the most beautiful and intelligent woman in all of England, and because she never lacked or had any weaknesses other than spiritual ones, it took her longer to recognize her own religion and dependence on her creator. When she finally lost her true, covenanted husband, then she finally realized what a fool she was, and that it was foolish to cling to Lancelot like a fancy trophy. When she realized this, then Lancelot did too.

I could definitely read this book again. I would like to understand more of the story, especially the character portraits.

It's a great read. I listened to it on audio, read by Frederick Davidson. He doesn't do the story justice, but its an adequate reading (I imagine that they had a small budget when created the recording as they didn't expect many people to buy an unabridged version of the story).