What do you think?
T.H. White's The Once and Future King
A critical study of T.H. White's classic Arthurian tetralogy.
The Once and Future King defies classification. Is it for children, or for adults? Is it fantasy or a psychological novel? In its great range, it encompasses poetry and farce, comedy and tragedy -and sudden flights of schoolboy humour. White's `footnote to Malory' (his own phrase) resulted in the last major retelling of the story based on Malory's Morte Darthur, and Elisabeth Brewer explores the literary context of White's finest work as wellas considering his aims and achievement in writing it.
White's story of Arthur begins with his `enfances', set in an imaginary medieval England, but it is far removed from the conventional historical novel. White was writing in wartime England, a country increasingly absorbed by a need to find an antidote to war. Through the medium of the Arthurian story he found his own voice, his unique contribution to keeping alive the flame of civilisation. Malory's chivalric virtues are rejected in favour of White's own twentieth-century values; the love affair of Lancelot and Guenever is interpreted in terms of modern psychology.
The books which eventually made up The Once and Future Kingof 1958 appeared in distinctly different editions. In discussing these,Elisabeth Brewer looks at some of the ways in which White drew on his own personal experience at a deep psychological level, while also incorporating into his story material inspired by his antiquarian pursuits and by his years as a schoolmaster. She completes her study with an account of White's use of historical material, and the relationship of The Once and Future King to the Morte Darthur.
ELISABETH BREWER lectured in English at Homerton College, Cambridge. She is the author of books and articles on Chaucer and the Arthurian legends.
The Once and Future King defies classification. Is it for children, or for adults? Is it fantasy or a psychological novel? In its great range, it encompasses poetry and farce, comedy and tragedy -and sudden flights of schoolboy humour. White's `footnote to Malory' (his own phrase) resulted in the last major retelling of the story based on Malory's Morte Darthur, and Elisabeth Brewer explores the literary context of White's finest work as wellas considering his aims and achievement in writing it.
White's story of Arthur begins with his `enfances', set in an imaginary medieval England, but it is far removed from the conventional historical novel. White was writing in wartime England, a country increasingly absorbed by a need to find an antidote to war. Through the medium of the Arthurian story he found his own voice, his unique contribution to keeping alive the flame of civilisation. Malory's chivalric virtues are rejected in favour of White's own twentieth-century values; the love affair of Lancelot and Guenever is interpreted in terms of modern psychology.
The books which eventually made up The Once and Future Kingof 1958 appeared in distinctly different editions. In discussing these,Elisabeth Brewer looks at some of the ways in which White drew on his own personal experience at a deep psychological level, while also incorporating into his story material inspired by his antiquarian pursuits and by his years as a schoolmaster. She completes her study with an account of White's use of historical material, and the relationship of The Once and Future King to the Morte Darthur.
ELISABETH BREWER lectured in English at Homerton College, Cambridge. She is the author of books and articles on Chaucer and the Arthurian legends.
246 pages, Hardcover
Published November 25, 1993
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 23, 2009
The most comprehensive biography on T. H. White available.
August 22, 2021
I had no idea this book existed until I was searching for a hardback edition of OFK. It was an expensive book because it had been print to buy when I discovered it and I couldn’t afford it then. Had to save up until I could. Anyway, it brought back memories of the first time I read The Once & Future King. Kind of like reading that book a fourth time. The author wrote this in ‘93, which would be about nine years after I read OFK. I definitely agree with her assessment on White and the novel. The Once & Future King remains at the top of my list of favorite books. It makes me sad to hear some millennials say it’s too thick for their liking. I think that from now on I’ll suggest that people should read it as originally published in the four separate book forms (not the original versions. Those are very different AND pricey, though I’d love to read The Witch In The Wood some day. That sucker is $750 right now!).
May 25, 2013
I thorougly enjoyed this book. I loved the atmosphere it created and I think that the author used just the right amount of very striking figurative language. It seems like it is very easy to get absorbed into the setting and plot.
The characterization of King Arthur is very unique and strong. The ending is incredibly moving and the ambiance of the entire story includes a sort of authenticity and sense of grandeur that is hard for me to explain. I would definitely reccommend this story, I believe it does the legend of King Arthur justice!
The characterization of King Arthur is very unique and strong. The ending is incredibly moving and the ambiance of the entire story includes a sort of authenticity and sense of grandeur that is hard for me to explain. I would definitely reccommend this story, I believe it does the legend of King Arthur justice!
August 23, 2007
The true Authorian myth. Disney based their "Sword in the Stone" cartoon on this book. It spinninly tells the tale of King Author's life in three parts, from boy-hood rite-taking, to early questdom, to old-betrayals. A bit wordy, but a good, solid read.
July 4, 2012
A terrific more modern retelling of the timeless legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Faithfull to the original legends but with a few additions and a litterary style that makes it a far easier readbthan Mallory.
July 24, 2009
Read it in High School. Keep trying to get my boys to read it. Was such a great story.
June 27, 2012
I love the anachronisms but it is too long.
October 18, 2012
A Classic innovatively written book. Aspects of adventure, mystery, middle ages history, comedy, and gets you thinking! Entering in my Goods reads shelves causes me to plan to read it again!
December 14, 2021
Loved it! Parts of it were as good as Tolkien.
Some parts seemed a bit slow, but overall it was wonderful.
Some parts seemed a bit slow, but overall it was wonderful.
March 22, 2007
An overly long, but nicely re-imagined look at the Arthurian legend.
Read
December 10, 2008just couldn't finish this one. Read it half way through and wasn't the least bit interested.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews