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hgvam's review against another edition
4.0
Far less grim and dark than The Witch in the Wood, but not as charming as The Sword In The Stone. I really liked The Ill-Made Knight. It was an interesting and compelling look at the character of Lancelot and the ways in which his interests and concerns affected his behaviour. The way he was occasionally very torn between what he wanted to do and what chivalry and his loyalty to Arthur dictated he should do was always compelling.
pandagopanda's review against another edition
[Reading The Once and Future King]
Okay, so this is where TOAFK finally really gets going for me (a mere 340 or so pages in...). Focusing on Lancelot's life and lot, we are treated to a proper mythic-historical saga. There are interesting episodes of jousts and tournaments and misadventures, but also time passing in sweeping descriptive montages, and excellent, tender dialogue between the main characters. I also noticed that the narrator (and his obtrusive "contemporary" similes and perspectives) were mostly absent for this whole book, which made it so much more immersive and alive.
Okay, so this is where TOAFK finally really gets going for me (a mere 340 or so pages in...). Focusing on Lancelot's life and lot, we are treated to a proper mythic-historical saga. There are interesting episodes of jousts and tournaments and misadventures, but also time passing in sweeping descriptive montages, and excellent, tender dialogue between the main characters. I also noticed that the narrator (and his obtrusive "contemporary" similes and perspectives) were mostly absent for this whole book, which made it so much more immersive and alive.
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this story abut Lancelot and Guinevere, but I found them to both be sort of unlikeable characters.
cafffine's review against another edition
5.0
I don't really care for TH White ok.... but this rendition of Lancelot, this fucked up attempt at grappling with homosexuality and faith and mental illness? Kills me. It really kills me. Sort of hurts to read, but not in a romantic way. Like I wish I could turn away. What the hell
pagesofpins's review against another edition
2.0
If you're going to read the story of Lancelot and Guinevere's affair, you could do worse than this volume. T.H. White's self-loathing, hideous Lancelot is more interesting and complex than most. However, it's far from my favorite legend, and White was a man of his time in terms of condescending, casually sexist comments about the women, most of whom are either hysterical/insane.
raggedyme's review against another edition
2.0
I'm enjoying this series, but book #3 (this one) is not my favorite. It's mainly about the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere. I'm not a fan of romance, even so, this version was particularly silly. The rest of the book, and the rest of the series is really good though.
lordenglishssbm's review against another edition
5.0
This is the book I was hoping White would write. It's psychologically driven and tragic, but it retains some of the humor of the first two books, though it is integrated better here than in the second book. King Arthur is almost a side character here, but watching his desire to build a better world run up against the realities of his kingdom and the all-too-human flaws of the people beneath him provides a fantastic background for the drama. Lancelot is an excellent lead character, and the conflict between his desire and his duty ties in perfectly to the larger story's themes. White's prose remains strong throughout, and the way he blends mythology, history, and psychology is so well-done that he makes it look easy. Whatever comes next and whatever came before, this is an exceptional book, and I can see why Disney initially wanted to adapt it instead of the first book.
nikolastoti's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent book. Sir Lancelot is probably *the* most compelling character in the series so far. The book is packed with action and has a very good pace. I dont rate classics, but when I love something, I like dropping in a 5-star