Oct 16, 2002 12:13 PM
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(Updated Oct 16, 2002 12:15 PM)
T.H. White's ''The Once and Future King'' is a masterful retelling of the Arthurian Legend and an abiding classic. All five volumes that make up the story are published together into a single page turning and spellbinding novel.
''The Sword In The Stone'' or the first volume published in 1939 is a brilliant and imaginative retelling of Arthur's childhood and early life.
The story continues in ''The Witch in the Wood'' (1940) and ''The Ill-Made Knight'' (1941).
In 1940, White wrote ''The Candle In The Wind'' which was believed to be the final volume of his Arthurian saga.
The four volumes were revised and published in the late 1950s as a single novel titles ''The Once and Future King''.
In the mid 1960s, a further manuscript was discovered amongst White's papers after his death in 1964. This manuscript, titled ''The Book of Merlyn'', showed several indications of serving the concluding volume of the story.
The book was once again published with all five volumes put together.
''The Once and The Future King'' makes magnificent reading. White brilliantly brings to life one of the world's greatest epic of all time with grandeur and warmth.
White makes Arthur not only the great king of fantasies and legends but also the boy next door.
The book is a must read and instant transportation for all those who've dreamt of Camelot and Excalibur.