Reviews

The Witch in the Wood by T.H. White

pagesofpins's review

3.0

Arthur continues his education on war with Merlin now that he is king, made more interesting by White's obvious commentary on war post World War. Significantly darker than Sword in the Stone, we now get the dysfunctional childhood of the Orkney clan, Morgeause and Gawain/Agravain/Gareth/That Other One. Interesting, but not as well put together as Stone.

willworm's review

4.0

TH White has always been complicated, and I have both fondness and a strange conflict with this novel in particular. It’s his strangest of the once and future king, and yet it has some of the most upsetting moments in the series overall. It is setting the groundwork for the series as a whole, for it being known as “the novel for all things sad and lost.” I have a lot of love for it, in spite of its flaws, and those children in the North doing terrible things in pursuit of a mother’s love.

tabithar's review

3.0

Dark. Its hard for me to truly like this book a ton due to its inherent darkness. However, White used humor throughout to lighten the mood. King Pellinore was exceptionally funny and reminds me of Don Quixote. I think it easily could be argued that Pellinore's character was modeled after the same type person that Quixote portrayed. The humorous parts were just as funny (some even funnier) than the Sword in the Stone. The dark parts were among the darker, sadder, and more sinister/twisty things I've read. Maybe it was a lack of expectation. I saw others state "This is dark" but it was hard to really convey until I read it. I read the unabridged version from 1939, as opposed to the revised edition from later. The unabridged version was not jumpy as some have stated about the later version. It may be noted that this book has a small amount occur given the time it takes to tell the tale.

This is NOT a book for kids. Further, I could see some adults being very upset by the treatment of animals and humans in this text.

brennenpeterson's review

3.0

Still enjoying it but I’m realizing I might prefer to just read Le Morte D’Arthur. This is still fun but idk if I’m buying into some of the more modernized stuff.

I also just want more Arthur and Merlin chapters. That is when it’s at its best. King Pellenor can fuck off, boring.

lordenglishssbm's review

3.0

I read the revised version of the book, which is about half as long as the original version and darker in tone (though the amount of humor is still surprising). Unfortunately, I don't think the humor gelled well with the darker themes, or the themes of power, conquest, and justice that ran through the book. The exploration is interesting, but it's not quite complete, and the book in general feels too aggressively like a middle book in a longer series to be satisfying. I'm not saying that I would have liked every plot point wrapped up, but it would be nice to see Arthur's development taken a bit farther.

sharppointysticks's review

2.0

The first book of the series was better... still, I like most versions of the Arthurian legend so I am sure I'll finish the series.

nikolastoti's review

Well that was pretty bad. The humour was very awkward and the story was pretty boring. Thank god it was short. If the next book is similar in quality, I will probably give up the series

onlyinbooksworlds's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

thereadingtrashqueen's review

3.0

This would have been a solid 4 stars due to Merlyn’s cmments and character, even if the book is a filler. An important one, but a filler one still.

Unfortunately the Unicorn scene was too much for me. I felt uncomfortable, sick, and disgusted and surely there were other ways to show the character of Agravaine? I had to take off a whole star for that part alone.

Other than that, there is a lot of Pellinore and Grummore loveliness, and the start of the end.

zfeig's review against another edition

dark funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The sequel to once in Future King is a bit of a bummer. It focuses heavily on the sexual relationships and repercussions of those relationships in the Arthurian legend.

All the characters become corrupt and confusing. The book lacks the carefree spirit that made the first in the series. So delightful.