Scan barcode
hpig125's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rebeeps's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
papidoc's review against another edition
4.0
I have loved the tales and attendant lessons of King Arthur and the knights of the roundtable from a young age. This is one of the best renditions of some of the Arthurian legends that I have seen. It is appropriate for young adults and old adults alike, and brings to life the ideas of honor, loyalty, friendship, love and so forth that are inherent in the stories about King Arthur. In Steinbeck's version we find legends about Merlin the wizard, King Arthur's wedding to Guinevere, the wicked Morgan Le Fay, Gawain and his brother knights, and the inestimable Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Wonderful!
annalisenak97's review against another edition
4.0
This is a delightful retelling of the King Arthur stories. It's by no means exhaustive-- Steinbeck never finished it. But the first half of the book reads like the old myths, while the second half of the book definitely feels more like a Steinbeck work. Both "sections" are wonderful! This is definitely a King Arthur retelling that I will cherish. Also, at the back of the book is an extensive appendix of Steinbeck's letters to his editors concerning this work and it's just marvelous to see how he thinks about the Arthurian legends and his writing process and WOW it's just fascinating. That was by far my favorite part.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I could do without the essay by Christopher Paolini; I didn't think it was terribly enlightening.
obnorthrup's review against another edition
3.0
A compelling and accessible take on Arthurian legend. The most interesting part is the appendix, which collects Steinbeck's letters about the writing process.
magaramach's review against another edition
4.0
Started kind of slow and unenjoyable, but the last story about Lancelot and Sir Ewain’s story were absolutely fantastic.
Also, a moment to appreciate Sir Kay the Seneschal. Because I just really love him.
Also, a moment to appreciate Sir Kay the Seneschal. Because I just really love him.
artyemis's review against another edition
4.0
<< Nel cimitero presso la chiesa, nel punto più vicino all'altare maggiore, venne veduto un grande blocco di marmo e nel marmo affondava un'incudine entro la quale era conficcata una spada. In lettera d'oro stava scritto:
chiunque estragga questa spada dal marmo e dall'incudine sarà Re di tutta l'Inghilterra. >>
chiunque estragga questa spada dal marmo e dall'incudine sarà Re di tutta l'Inghilterra. >>
guinness74's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I am a Steinbeck fan, and this is by far my least favorite of his works. Steinbeck left this unfinished apparently…probably bored by it, as I was. However, he was apparently excited about the prospect of creating Arthurian legends. Alas, I was not impressed, and I nearly left this unfinished myself.