Round Table Read 2017

[M.L.]

As mentioned in the 'Revive this Group' thread I thought it'd be cool to set up a group read for Arthurian titles. I'm not a moderator so I can't arrange a group message and I've not taken part in a group read before, but I figured it'd be a good start to take some suggestions RE timescale and possible reads.

Maybe if people just post their suggestions and their time constraints below we can then make a poll and vote on the book we'd like to read most. Or we can just discuss and figure out a schedule. It depends how many people want to take part of course!

Personally I would prefer fiction but I am also happy to read non-fiction. I am also fine with re-reading any Arthurian books I've read previously.

Let's get started!

[Petrea]

Time constraints, yes, I've got those. I would prefer not to have any deadlines. However, there have been some good suggestions here for all sorts of Arthurian books, and I'm happy to hear more. I don't have a preference of fiction over non-fiction. I just like interesting books!

[Nicole]

How about everyone posts a book suggestion for those wanting to participate- we can pick one from the suggestions. I was checking in the group but I can't find any real list compiled- maybe we can first have people create a list thread and go from there?

[Nicole]

I can't figure out how to create a topic - maybe it has to be done by a moderator- can we have a pinned list of books people can add to?

[M.L.]

There are quite a few books in the group bookshelf already. I have no idea how to create a pinned list either! I'm going to have a look for a Arthurian book that looks promising. I guess we can start by posting suggestions here then compile the list once we can?

[Nicole]

wow the bookshelf - I know that wasn't the intention of your post but I never saw that before ! I think you have a swell idea - will come back with a few suggestions and hope everyone does the same.. I am game whatever we agree upon.

[Petrea]

I knew there were lists on Goodreads, but I've never used them so I did some research. If you select "Browse" at the top of your page, you'll see "Lists" in the menu. I searched "King Arthur" and found a page and a half of lists of books, everything from Romance to YA to the Mabinogion and its ilk. I imagine if you search "Arthurian" you'll get something similar.
https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8...

Maybe we could create our own list, but the bookshelf is a better idea. Anyone on Goodreads can add to lists, but I think the bookshelf belongs to the group.

Now I'm going to look at the bookshelf!

[David]

I think someone suggested the Jack Whyte series (Saxon Shore, etc.) as a good Arthurian read and I concur. There is more actual history in this series than legend (no Round Table, i.e.) but the characters are well developed and the storyline is interesting enough to keep you turning pages.
Just my two cents.

[Nicole]

It may have been me - I loved that series. I would really enjoy a re-read :)

[Petrea]

Thank you both for the suggestion of Whyte. I like actual history! Though I can certainly understand why people enjoy other approaches to such a compelling legend.

[M.L.]

I've not read Whyte's Saxon Shore, but it looks right up my street. Looking at all these Goodreads lists and our bookshelf I realise that there are dozens of Arthurian books I've never even heard of! I've had a quick look and these two look interesting. Not read them - perhaps someone has?

Taliesin

Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle - I read Miles' trilogy about Guinevere and found it quite engaging. Never got around to checking out this one before though.

Ones I am always happy to reread:

The Mists of Avalon

The Once and Future King

[Nicole]

I enjoyed the Miles trilogy - will have to check these others out.

[Nicole]

Hey while we are throwing out ideas- has anyone here read the Arthur Trilogy by Bernard Cornwell? I see it is part of the Warlord Series but looks to be Arthurian for the first 3 at least.
The Arthur ones are:
The Winter King
Enemy of God
Excalibur

I have them on my kindle but have not read any...curious If any of you have ?

[M.L.]

I've read them all! Personally I really enjoyed them, it's more a gritty/'historical' take on the legends with some interesting twists on characters. If you're a Lancelot/Guinevere fan you might not enjoy it as much, for reasons you will discover. Definitely worth reading them however - particularly if you enjoy Cornwell's writing anyway.

[David]

I second the Warlord series. That and the Whyte series are the best Arthurian novels, at least IMO, out there. I have not read anywhere near all of them, but until I find another one as good as these two, they shall remain at the top of my list.

[Nicole]

Thanks -adding to the pile LOL

[Old-Barbarossa]

Folks, I've been following other fewmets and away from the trail of the questing beast...
Will follow and comment on anything if I've read it...or may read with you if I can cram in amongst my current pile.

[Brian]

Nicole wrote: "Hey while we are throwing out ideas- has anyone here read the Arthur Trilogy by Bernard Cornwell? I see it is part of the Warlord Series but looks to be Arthurian for the first 3 at least.
The Art..."

Nicole wrote: "I enjoyed the Miles trilogy - will have to check these others out."

Cornwell's series is very, very good. Love seeing a more traditional view of what Arthur may have been like in the correct time setting.

In fact, I loved it so much I set my own Arthurian story, The Knight's Journal, just after the Roman occupation as well.

[M.L.]

Brian wrote: "In fact, I loved it so much I set my own Arthurian story, The Knight's Journal, just after the Roman occupation as well ..."

Awesome. I don't know why but I much prefer Arthurian legends set in the Dark Ages to those set in a more Medieval era - for me it gives the sense of authenticity. That said however T. H. White's The Once and Future King is one of the best retellings.

[Brian]

M.L. wrote: "Brian wrote: "In fact, I loved it so much I set my own Arthurian story, The Knight's Journal, just after the Roman occupation as well ..."

Awesome. I don't know why but I much prefer Arthurian leg..."
I love setting things in the Dark Ages. It's as though with as little true history as has come out of that era, there's a blank canvas upon which to set stories.