The Once And Future King

This classic is the Arthurian tale standard by which modern iterations are measured. Or blatantly ripped off ('cough' Disney 'cough'). While the first section is a bright and comical depiction of Arthur as a familiar young orphan called the Wart, the novel becomes increasingly dark and dismal as the golden age of Camelot crumbles. White takes age-old questions and dresses them in Old English folklore, creating a thought-provoking rendition of a legend with which we are all familiar. He pokes fun at our modern day mess, as well as the typical foibles of human nature to which none of his heroes is immune with flippant anachronistic references throughout. Despite the ease with which even the most noble fall, there is a kindness in the way they are each so relatable, even the baddies. The cast is so well written, and the prose so enjoyable it's one of those volumes that can be re-read annually and still retain its impact.

Books in The Once And Future King Series (6)

Booklists having this book

Best Early Modern Fantasy Books (1930's to 1950's)

After the development of Fantasy in the early part of the 20th century, it truly seemed like the genre was moving towards a golden age. Then the real world became... Read more

Top 25 Best Pre-Tolkein Fantasy Books

When writing any list detailing the best pre-Tolkien fantasy it is difficult, to say the least. I started creating this list quite easily...then the questions began: How do you determine what belongs... Read more

Best Literary Fantasy Books

If you're tired of those same old boy villager finds magic sword / talisman / super power, meets a company of sidekicks (with the requisite princess in disguise and old... Read more

Top 25 Best Heroic Fantasy Books

Heroic Fantasy is perhaps the most iconic of its class. It carries the flagship heavyweights like The Lord of the Rings; hefty not only in size but in imagination. We... Read more

Top 100 Fantasy Books

This list continues directly from where  the Top 25 Best Fantasy List ends, starting from #26 and ending at #100 (yes, I know the list shows #1, but 1 = 26).Frankly, there are... Read more

Other books by White, T. H.

The Sword In The Stone

Instead of picking up the story of King Arthur from the day when young Art pulls the sword from the stone, T.H. White gazes back to the innocent childhood of... Read more

The Witch In The Wood

The Ill-made Knight

The Book Of Merlyn