dogeared_brain's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tabithar's review against another edition
4.0
Of the 5 books in this series, this one is the most philosophical, and has very little story (for good reason). White postulates on various legends of Arthur's end, as well as disclosing the end for Lancelot and Guinevere. "The Book of Merlyn" is primarily a discourse on different ways to govern mankind (or not govern it as the case may be) and how that compares to the governance among the animals (lower mammals, insects, fowl, etc.) It is definitely interesting to consider and comes from an unusual viewpoint. It is understandable why this book was rejected by a publisher in 1942,
This could make for an interesting book club discussion.
Spoiler
when it purports to reject all forms of government in favor of anarchy and looking out only for the individual.This could make for an interesting book club discussion.
lgrunwald's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
Stunningly beautiful! Once again, TH White has me awestruck. The book of Merlyn is technically not a part of the original Once and Future King Story but it definitely has some of the stories finest elements in it. Such as the story of the ants and the geese originally being in this version of the ending rather than the reprinted book 1 version later on. While I still much prefer the pacing and the way the Once and Future King ended having the extra information about the lives and deaths of all our protagonist after the fact was nothing short of masterful. The one thing I did much prefer in The Book of Merlyn compared to The Once and Future King was the lesson of the Goose. An aged Arthur's perspective in this particular story rather than the one in his youth was just so much more impactful and emotional than the naivety of his youth. Another was Arthur's conversation with the hedgehog on the hill overlooking England and the conversation which leads to his understanding of his love for the land and his people over the love of himself and the things which were precious to him, (like Lancelot and Guen), and willingly choosing to go to his fate like the king and hero he is rather than Merlyn playing him like a chess piece. It just made me love Arthur as a character even more seeing him finally expressing his emotions about Merlyn pushing him forward in this path despite what he wanted, his feelings about being betrayed by his wife and best friend, his tiresome fight of wanting to good and getting slapped down at every turn, and the war against his own son. It makes him more human, even more of a hero than I saw him before.
While some of the elements of Whites opinions on the Naturalist perspectives on war did go on a bit I nevertheless did enjoy it and gained a new perspective that I thought about for many, many hours after finishing it. Having Merlyn and the animals there to explain it all definitely was a major help in grasping such complicated topics. While I don't necessarily agree with every assumption White makes the context of him writing these opinions during World War II does put things in a understandable perspective.
I can see why a lot of this book was cut and story elements switched around as the book of Merlyn definitely is long winded and ranting. Never less as someone who does enjoy discussing topics like this and reading a little philosophy every now and then I got pleasure from it but it definitely does take away from the over all story elements and pacing. I definitely wish the ending of Lancelot and Guen was left in though. All in all absolutely beautiful. A lovely alternate ending to one of my favourite stories I've read so far.
Stunningly beautiful! Once again, TH White has me awestruck. The book of Merlyn is technically not a part of the original Once and Future King Story but it definitely has some of the stories finest elements in it. Such as the story of the ants and the geese originally being in this version of the ending rather than the reprinted book 1 version later on. While I still much prefer the pacing and the way the Once and Future King ended having the extra information about the lives and deaths of all our protagonist after the fact was nothing short of masterful. The one thing I did much prefer in The Book of Merlyn compared to The Once and Future King was the lesson of the Goose. An aged Arthur's perspective in this particular story rather than the one in his youth was just so much more impactful and emotional than the naivety of his youth. Another was Arthur's conversation with the hedgehog on the hill overlooking England and the conversation which leads to his understanding of his love for the land and his people over the love of himself and the things which were precious to him, (like Lancelot and Guen), and willingly choosing to go to his fate like the king and hero he is rather than Merlyn playing him like a chess piece. It just made me love Arthur as a character even more seeing him finally expressing his emotions about Merlyn pushing him forward in this path despite what he wanted, his feelings about being betrayed by his wife and best friend, his tiresome fight of wanting to good and getting slapped down at every turn, and the war against his own son. It makes him more human, even more of a hero than I saw him before.
While some of the elements of Whites opinions on the Naturalist perspectives on war did go on a bit I nevertheless did enjoy it and gained a new perspective that I thought about for many, many hours after finishing it. Having Merlyn and the animals there to explain it all definitely was a major help in grasping such complicated topics. While I don't necessarily agree with every assumption White makes the context of him writing these opinions during World War II does put things in a understandable perspective.
I can see why a lot of this book was cut and story elements switched around as the book of Merlyn definitely is long winded and ranting. Never less as someone who does enjoy discussing topics like this and reading a little philosophy every now and then I got pleasure from it but it definitely does take away from the over all story elements and pacing. I definitely wish the ending of Lancelot and Guen was left in though. All in all absolutely beautiful. A lovely alternate ending to one of my favourite stories I've read so far.
nicktomjoe's review against another edition
4.0
A book with images and characters I dearly love. A sprawling mess of part parable, part attempt to resolve the Arthur legend, and in a large part White writing to explore his own pacifism in the face of the totalitarian shadows of the 1940s.
Superb illustrations by Trevor Stubley and (such is the compendium of different styles of writing) some of the most sublime nature writing in the period - and a rambling, uncertain, witty and tragic exploration of what it means to try to be human.
https://nicktomjoestory.news.blog/2019/12/02/merlyn/
Superb illustrations by Trevor Stubley and (such is the compendium of different styles of writing) some of the most sublime nature writing in the period - and a rambling, uncertain, witty and tragic exploration of what it means to try to be human.
https://nicktomjoestory.news.blog/2019/12/02/merlyn/
aamccartan's review against another edition
3.0
This was very much a treatise on why people go to war, so interesting in that respect, but in terms of Arthuriana and original plot, it was a little light.
kristyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
It’s not exactly fair to give this a rating since White didn’t have a chance to do final edits on the manuscript. It definitely isn’t as refined and meanders compared to the rest of The Once and Future King. I can see why this wasn’t published with the rest though because of the anti-war sentiment and the being of the cusp of WWII. I do think this needs to be read because of those themes.
emmishnation's review against another edition
-goodness is eternal and ultimate- slow to anger, quick to forgive, love, strong courage, a tranquil heart, do what's right, kind and unreactive
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this one better than the previous two. I think my favorites in the series (The Once and Future King) were the first and the last. Mostly likely because those where the ones that included Merlyn and Archimedes and focused on Arthur and his adventures. I also enjoyed the animal stories, particularly the badger. I'm glad I read the series, but it doesn't earn a spot on my favorites list.
barbarajean's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75