tabithar's review against another edition
4.0
This was at points challenging to read because I know how the story ends...and I dreaded reliving the sadness and strain. At the same time, there is a lot of good philosophical insight in "The Candle in the Wind". There is an attempt to understand humanity, might vs. right, and the best way to govern people. Its stunning how relevant and recent text from 80 years ago can feel today, in our present political climate. It becomes clear these books were written for a teenage or adult audience willing to think about choices and government. I would say that the philosophical aspects make these books worth the time investment. I would suggest reading something distinctly happy before and after this series.
Note: This text brings the first three books together but doesn't complete the story of Arthur. The final book is titled "The Book of Merlyn" and was published posthumously after being rejected by the publishers for anti war propaganda in a war era. (~WWII)
Note: This text brings the first three books together but doesn't complete the story of Arthur. The final book is titled "The Book of Merlyn" and was published posthumously after being rejected by the publishers for anti war propaganda in a war era. (~WWII)
lordenglishssbm's review against another edition
4.0
A grim and ambiguous ending, but a fitting one. The action is there, in the background, but the emphasis is on Arthur's internal struggle, on the failure of his quest to make something better, and of his struggles to come to term not just with that failure, but also with his efforts themselves. White's political analysis falls flat at times, but he never commits so totally to one view that it kills the work, and his willingness to interrogate and question every aspect of Arthur's character is what makes the work so compelling.
At its heart, the story of King Arthur has always been a tragedy, but it wasn't until reading this series, as humorous as it could be, that I really felt it that way. The Once and Future King isn't just about the death of a dream, it's about coming to terms with the realization that what you want might never have been possible. That even under ideal circumstances, with the best people behind you, some things just aren't in the cards, and what might make your idea good might also end up being the thing that sinks it. White even wrote a fifth, posthumously published book that leans more into that final idea, but it wasn't included when the series was collected and, frankly, isn't very good. I'm frankly glad that it isn't included in most collections, because I think this is the ending the series deserves: A dark reminder that maybe, just maybe, if you're right, even if you fail, someone else will remember what you tried to do, and they'll take it with them into the future.
Hell, maybe they'll succeed.
Overall, this is an exceptional series. One that runs the gamut from funny to heartbreaking with memorable, complex characters and strong prose throughout. I highly recommend it.
At its heart, the story of King Arthur has always been a tragedy, but it wasn't until reading this series, as humorous as it could be, that I really felt it that way. The Once and Future King isn't just about the death of a dream, it's about coming to terms with the realization that what you want might never have been possible. That even under ideal circumstances, with the best people behind you, some things just aren't in the cards, and what might make your idea good might also end up being the thing that sinks it. White even wrote a fifth, posthumously published book that leans more into that final idea, but it wasn't included when the series was collected and, frankly, isn't very good. I'm frankly glad that it isn't included in most collections, because I think this is the ending the series deserves: A dark reminder that maybe, just maybe, if you're right, even if you fail, someone else will remember what you tried to do, and they'll take it with them into the future.
Hell, maybe they'll succeed.
Overall, this is an exceptional series. One that runs the gamut from funny to heartbreaking with memorable, complex characters and strong prose throughout. I highly recommend it.
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh, still finding the characters unlikable. Maybe I will like the last book better when Merlin returns?
nikolastoti's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent! The Ill-made Knight and The Candle in the Wind are probably the best medieval fiction classics I have ever read. Loved it through and through, both Arthur, Modred and Lancelot have very intriguing personalities. I wish though Modred was a bit less "evil". I mean we get it, he is right for wanting to take revenge on Arthur but some of the things he does are superhero-comic villain tier.
meenaaa's review against another edition
3.0
Introduced me to who King Arthur was. Read for a class.
shksprsis's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eggp's review against another edition
4.0
Lovers grown careless
their king will always be just
even when it hurts.
their king will always be just
even when it hurts.
bubblewombat's review
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Me: *knows the myths*
Also me: WHY IS IT SO SADDDDD
Also me: WHY IS IT SO SADDDDD
babyleo's review
4.0
From a dull and weak beginning The Candle in the Wind ended beautifully. I know the book of Merlyn is the final book of the series but if we ignore that for a minute I can pretend this was the last. It was such a sorrowful tale of Arthur that I barely knew and I am glad that I know a bit more. As I say the beginning was very history filled with names and places I didn't really care for, and then, as if a switch had been flicked, it became the same tone and flow of the other books. White has done a wonderful job with the Legend of Arthur; the characters are wonderful and even though these books and stories are not all as exciting and action filled as each other, you must give credit where credit is due, it was not a tale that required just drama and suspense.
After following Arthur's life from the early age in The Sword and the Stone to this aged king of seventy three I believe, it is a sad, happy feeling when you think of all he did and where it ended up for him. White's descriptions and language works wonderful and even on the duller aspects there is no doubt it was researched and expressed well.
The Candle in the Wind begins pretty much with the rapid downfall of Arthur's Table and the ideal that created it. Past characters, while always being in the background of previous stories, re-emerge and bring with them the actions and consequences of the past. I must say as suspenseful and exciting the middle is, the ending had such truths and honesty within those pages it was amazing. By the time the story ended I was saddened and quite depressed by what had become of Arthur's dream, mostly through White's retelling and the way the ending tugs at your emotions that is touching and depressing and wonderful all at the same time. I would say more but for fear of spoiling it I will restrain myself.
White makes you so invested in these characters, people that were real once through their legends, that after seeing all they did, all they went through for their country and their king, to see it start to crumble from the very first pages is tough. I am glad I persevered through the harder parts of this series because the ending of this book, as sad as it made me was worth it.
After following Arthur's life from the early age in The Sword and the Stone to this aged king of seventy three I believe, it is a sad, happy feeling when you think of all he did and where it ended up for him. White's descriptions and language works wonderful and even on the duller aspects there is no doubt it was researched and expressed well.
The Candle in the Wind begins pretty much with the rapid downfall of Arthur's Table and the ideal that created it. Past characters, while always being in the background of previous stories, re-emerge and bring with them the actions and consequences of the past. I must say as suspenseful and exciting the middle is, the ending had such truths and honesty within those pages it was amazing. By the time the story ended I was saddened and quite depressed by what had become of Arthur's dream, mostly through White's retelling and the way the ending tugs at your emotions that is touching and depressing and wonderful all at the same time. I would say more but for fear of spoiling it I will restrain myself.
White makes you so invested in these characters, people that were real once through their legends, that after seeing all they did, all they went through for their country and their king, to see it start to crumble from the very first pages is tough. I am glad I persevered through the harder parts of this series because the ending of this book, as sad as it made me was worth it.