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Book Review By mal Faloon
The Once and Future King by T.H. White

This story follows the young King Arthur (known to his friends as "the wart") through numerous allegorical adventures most of which involve him being changed into various types of animals, before Arthur finally stumbles upon the sword in the stone and discovers his destiny as king of all England.

"The Witch in the Wood", which explores the meaning of war and family, is mostly concerned with Arthur's exploits immeaditly after he becomes king, details the formation of the round table, and lays the seeds for his ultimate destruction at the hands of Mordred with his seduction by Morgause, and his marriage to Guinevere.

"The Ill-made Knight", which focuses on the character of Lancelot, relates his friendship with Arthur and his developing love for Guinevere - Lancelot is easily the best concieved character in the book, he's flawed, neurotic but horribly believable.

"Candle in the wind", is a tear jerker as the various plot strands in the earlier volumes link to the final catastrophic conclusion - Lancelot and Guinevere's betrayal of Arthur is made public when Arthur's scheming illegitmate son, Mordred, forces him to put on trial his two closest friends, and this action causes civil war throughout England, leaving Arthur alone and friendless.

If you find a five volume edition it will include a final book entitled "The Book Of Merlyn", this harks back to Arthur's childhood and the lessons about pacifism that he learnt from Merlin. T.H White was an ardent pacifist and although the book is based on Mallory's "Morte De Arthur" it is also heavily influenced by his political views and his feelings about the second world war, the book therefore has a strong anti-war message, this strengthens the book and enhances the ultimate tradegedy, but is a little over-egged in the Book of Merlyn.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - King Arthur
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - ruler
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status:
Has magical powers? Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
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