Customer Reviews

Le Morte D'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table (Signet Classics)

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(2)
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In a nutshell, I think the Keith Baines translation is an excellent edition for the lay reader, high school student, or first-time Le Morte D'Arthur reader who wants to enjoy the essence of Malory's work. Baines' translation is fluid and makes Arthurian Legend accessible and enjoyable for the modern reader.

Although the Baines edition does lack the style and diction of Malory's Middle English, within its pages you will find all of the characters and events that make Malory's work so rich and exciting: the story of young Arthur and his mentor, Merlin; the treacherous Morgan le Fay, the adventures of Arthur and his Knights, the Tale of the SanGreal(Quest of the Holy Grail), the Fisher King, the tragic Elaine, Launcelot and Gwynevere, and the final battle between Arthur and Mordred.

I use the Baines translation to teach an overview of Arthurian Legend to college-prep. senior high school students (British Lit.), and I couldn't imagine using another edition of Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur at that level. (Of note, excerpts from this Baines translation appear widely in high-school textbooks because it is so accessible).

If you are an advanced student and require a scholarly treatment of Malory's text in Middle English, this is not the edition for you.

This book is wonderful. I'd never had so much as a hint of understanding about these tales until I came across Heather Dale. Her songs sparked my interest and I immediately went in search of articles and explanations. I came across this book and ordered it first thing. I haven't been able to put it down, and though I'm just barely in the middle of "The book of Sir Tristram of Lyoness." I've become obsessed. Just recently ordered another book on it, and read articles as often as I can. Though I'll admit the books not for everyone, as it can be a little bland to some. There was once or twice my eyes were reading and my mind was elsewhere, though that's not all that uncommon. Final word: It's a wonderful book, and if you're into these types of things, I highly suggest you get it. (:

I read this when I was about ten years old and got it for my son who is fourteen now. This book has a lot of virtue lessons inside, as well as action scenes for the imagination.

I really wanted to love this book, I really, really did. I have read and re-read The Once and Future King by T.H. White and knew that it referenced Le Morte D'Arthur. But what a difference in writing style!!!! This book was so dry and difficult to get through. I'm not sure if it was the version that I picked up, or if a different abridgment would have made a difference. Of all the Arthurian books, I know this was the first, but definitely not my favorite.

This is not quite the colorful novel some Arthurian tales portray, but it's a good insight into the important elements of the ancient battles. The battle tales, although not very creative, are descriptive in a way that you understand the importance of the horse during battle, and the damage that can be done with a sword.
The portrayal of Lancelot is the most memorable, although he comes across as very proud, almost to a fault.
I would have liked a more colorful and involved Merlin.

Knowing that true facts on Arthur and his knights are very minimal, and difficult to differentiate from all the fiction, this book is a good place to start when delving into the origin of many of the future fictional Arthurian tales.

Suzy