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The Sword in the Stone - Review

The Sword in the Stone book coverThe Sword In The Stone by T.H. White

This T.H. White novel was published in the mid twentieth century and is the book that brought the modern epic fantasy to the masses. It is the book that book that inspires all that follow including the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia. It is based on Thomas Malory's 15th century King Arthur story Le Morte d'Arthur (Modern Library) And although the setting is a traditional medieval world the story is one of epic proportions with the knights of the round table, excalibur, Lancelot and many grand quests including the quest for the holy grail.

The Sword in the Stone is the work that defines the modern day epic fantasy. It has all the ingredients and it is part of a quartet of works published by T.H. White. It was followed by The Queen of Air and Darkness--first published as The Witch in the Wood (1939)--The Ill-Made Knight (1940), and The Candle in the Wind (published in a composite volume, 1958). This quartet is called The Once and Future King and after White's death a conclusion to this series was published in 1977 as the book of Merlyn.

 

 

Editorial Reviews Book Description The Sword And The Stone recreates, against the background of magnificent pageantry and dark magic that was medieval England, the education and training of young King Arthur, who was to become the greatest of Britain's legendary rulers. Growing up in a colorful world peopled by knights in armor and fair damsels, foul monsters and evil witches, young Arthur slowly learns the code of being a gentleman. Under the wise guidance of Merlin, the all-powerful magician for whom life progresses backwards, the king-to-be is trained in the gusty pursuits of falconry, jousting, hunting and sword play. He is even transformed by his remarkable old tutor into various animals, so that he may experience life from all points of view. In every conceivable and exciting way he is readied for the day when he, and he alone of all Englishmen, is destined to draw forth the marvelous sword from the magic stone and become the rightful King of' England. Card catalog description A retelling of the Arthurian legend. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

The Sword in the Stone Movies:

Disney - The Sword in the Stone animation

Plot Outline Merlin the Magician teaches a young boy who is destined to be King Arthur.
Plot Synopsis: Arthur (aka Wart) is a young boy who aspires to be a knight's squire. On a hunting trip he falls in on Merlin, a powerful but amnesiac wizard who has plans for Wart beyond mere squiredom. He starts by trying to give Wart an education (whatever that is), believing that once one has an education, one can go anywhere. Needless to say, it doesn't quite work out that way.

 

Excalibur

Plot Outline Another retelling of the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Plot Synopsis: The myth of King Arthur brought once again to the screen. Uthur Pendragon is given the mystical sword Excalibur by the wizard Merlyn. At his death Uthur buries the sword into a stone, and the next man that can pull it out will be King of England. Years later Arthur, Uthur's bastard son draws Excalibur and becomes king. Guided by Merlyn, Arthur marries Guenivere and gathers the Knights of the Round Table. Arthur's evil half-sister Morgana sires a son with him, who may prove his downfall.

The Sword in the Stone is the first book in the quartet The Once and Future King. The series is a retelling of the Arthurian legend, from Arthur's birth to the end of his reign, and is based largely on Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte Darthur. After White's death, a conclusion to The Once and Future King was found among his papers; it was published in 1977 as The Book of Merlyn.

The quartet comprises:

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