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Interviews | November 19, 2009

Dave: IMG Finding John Irving: The Powells.com Interview

1 comment By Dave

johnirving[Editor's note: The following is a reprint of our 2005 interview with John Irving, whose new novel, Last Night in Twisted River, has just come out... Continue »
  1. $19.60 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    Last Night in Twisted River

    John Irving

The Once and Future King

by T. H. White

The Once and Future King Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Based on medieval Arthurian legends, The Once and Future King is a twentieth-century version of young Arthur's quest for the sword Excalibur and his claim to the throne of England. Including many well-known and much-loved episodes with Merlyn, the sorcerer; Morgan La Fay, the witch; and knights jousting and hounds engaged in the hunt, White's novel adds to the lore surrounding the person of King Arthur

Review:

"[W]oven together with literary genius, archeological authority, and a freshness which is as bright as the dawn and the memories we associate with a golden age. It is hard to say at which level White's greatness is most special." Erwin D. Canham, Christian Science Monitor

Review:

"White's book is an extraordinary achievement in that he has told the familiar story with almost complete fidelity to the main plot and characters of Malory, and yet has made the well-worn Matter of Britain more exciting, and the tragedy more apparent, than they have ever been before. His success is due to a happy blend of imagination, scholarly research, psychological insight and humor." Humanities Association Bulletin

Review:

"This ambitious work, so long in the building, now stands complete. It will long remain a memorial to an author who is at once civilized, learned, witty and humane." Times Literary Supplement

Synopsis:

The whole world knows and loves this book. It is the magical epic of King Arthur and his shining Camelot; of Merlin and Owl and Guinevere; of beasts who talk and men who fly, of wizardry and war. It is the book of all things lost and wonderful and sad. It is the fantasy masterpiece by which all others are judged.
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Table of Contents

The sword in the stone — The queen of air and darkness — The ill-made knight — The candle in the wind.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
cknu, April 5, 2007 (view all comments by cknu)
This exciting, adventurous novel can also be described as one of the best-known classics of all time. The Once and Future King, by T. H. White, is about the life of the famous King Arthur. The book starts when Arthur was a young boy called Wart, rhyming with his shortened name, Art. In the second section, this book tells us of the adventures of Sir Lancelot, his relationship with King Arthur, and his struggles against temptation. In the third and fourth sections (and second), the book describes Arthur's lifelong quest to prevent war, and him getting in the middle of it, due to traitorous characters such as Sirs Mordred and Agravaine, his son and nephew.

This book is a great read, and here's why: It's exciting, funny, and has deep characters. For instance, though it is 677 pages long, it took me less than a week to read it because it was really exciting. Also, there are many plots and a lot of action to help you fly through the pages. One example of humor in this book is when King Pellinore is lovesick and Sir Grummore and Sir Palomides decide to dress up as the Questing Beast, who King Pellinore is constantly hunting. As they are hiding in a cave, waiting for Pellinore to hunt them, the real Questing Beast comes and falls in love with the sham. She then lays siege to a castle nearby after seeing her Questing Beast enter. The characters are given life and depth because you see inside their heads so often. After reading the book, if they were placed in a situation, you would be able to say exactly what they would do (excepting Guenever, who is completely unpredictable most of the time).

Another good thing about this book is that it is also historically accurate. It describes the realistic struggles of peasants, has lists of foods they really did eat, and describes a castle's defense extremely accurately. I have seen many things that I also learned in class inside this book's pages.
In conclusion, I want to say that this is a great book, and anyone who loves a good, long read should get this book.
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waitingtoleave, February 7, 2007 (view all comments by waitingtoleave)
You might take one look at the book blurb and write T.H. White's masterpiece off as just another fantasy novel, but the themes White deals with in "The Once and Future King" are so vital and timeless that you will quickly realize that you are applying them to your own environment. As King Arthur fights to establish Right by Might, how can you help but wonder if he will succeed, and more importantly, if his result is the only possible one?
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ddff, July 31, 2006 (view all comments by ddff)
this book is very boring so dont read!!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780441627400
Author:
White, T. H.
Publisher:
Ace Books
Location:
New York
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Fantasy - General
Subject:
Fantasy - Epic
Subject:
Fantasy - Historical
Subject:
Arthurian romances
Subject:
Knights and knighthood
Subject:
Historical fiction
Subject:
Fantasy fiction
Copyright:
1965
Edition Description:
Ace
Series Volume:
1173
Publication Date:
July 1987
Binding:
Mass Market Paperbound
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
639
Dimensions:
6.89x4.18x1.14 in. .66 lbs.
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