Arthur Rex: A Legendary Novel [Paperback]

Thomas Berger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1990

With these tales, the author pays homage to the lives of King Arthur, the Round Table knights and their ladies, while introducing inspired new twists to the stories of old. Thomas Berger has previously written "Little Big Man", "Killing Time" and "Changing the Past".

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (P) (April 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316091464
• ISBN-13: 978-0316091466
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Arthurian Legend In All Its Glory, The Arthurian Age As It SHOULD Have Been, September 22, 2005

By 

Notnadia (Currently upstairs.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur Rex: A Legendary Novel (Paperback)

The irreverent Thomas Berger, author of Little Big Man as well as Arthur Rex, takes on the Arthurian legends and tells them as they ought to have been lived. Setting aside the facts of history that stubbornly refuse to conform to the superiority of legend, Berger gives us 5th century Britain landscaped with towering castles, peopled with knights clad in full plate armor of a thousand years hence, and filled to brimming with villains, heroes, worthy quests, and enough glory, sadness and good cheer to burst the covers of five novels this size. Every one of the popular legends is here, along with a few new ones. Tristan and Isolde fill a chapter, as does Sir Gwain and the Green Knight. The tortured, heroic Lancelot and his faithless queen factor into the novel, as does the evil Mordred, the scheming Morgan Le Fey, and the wise, time-traveling Merlin. This is great stuff, people, and easily my all-time favorite of any of the tales of Camelot and its residents I've ever read!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Malory For This Age, April 2, 2005

By 

Wendy Darling (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur Rex: A Legendary Novel (Hardcover)

Berger has selected and arranged a great many of the tales of the Round Table in a particularly harmonious and agreeable book--all the most beloved knights and the bravest quests and the noblest love affairs are here included. He writes with a high-tongued humor that revitalizes the telling of the familiar stories; through a beautifully (and mildly) archaic style and voice, he manages to wed a modern sense of metaphysics and ethics (moral and political) to the age-old celebration of chivalry, adventure, and love. A wonderful read, masterfully crafted and deliciously entertaining.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Camelot meets Dr. Strangelove -- humor with a heart!, August 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] or David Podgorski (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur Rex: A Legendary Novel (Hardcover)

Most of the books on the Arthur legends are steeped in battle glory and mythical images, though Bergers imagery is good, what you'll take away from Arthur Rex is the emotions.Berger has a tremendous way of making you feel for characters while being able to see their funny side at the same time. They feel like real people who happened to live extraordinary lives nearly a thousand years ago. It's not all Arthur and Lancelot either, you'll get to know Gawaiyne and Gareth. the stor about Tristram and Isolde with melt the iciest of hearts. This book is a treat for anyone who loves Arthurian stories or satires. With vicious wit and strong characterization, how could you go wrong?