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A review by orionoconnell
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
2.0
If it takes me a month to finish reading a book, no matter its length, you can probably tell that I'm struggling through it. With classic novels, I tend to employ the method of accompanying my physical copy of the book with an audiobook and reading along, so my attention doesn't waver and I understand the older language better.
While the narrator was lovely, it didn't save my review of this book. I have been fascinated by medieval stories and especially King Arthur for years, and I never got around to reading the book until now.
Let me start by complaining that I found my copy to be abridged, which only became apparent while listening to the unabridged audio, so check your book- mine did not say it was abridged. It seemed interesting to me that the parts that WERE abridged in this copy had to do with topics of evolution and of the greek gods. What it didn't censor, unfortunately, were the overlying themes of incest, rape, and one very unattractive use of the 'n' word (which the audiobook DID censor). It's clear that the censoring priorties were questionable at best. There is nothing wrong with exploring heavy topics in fictional context but I didn't find it added anything to the story here.
The book itself is as most old books are, unrelatable for the most part, and dry. This is a book that I daresay really needs a modern makeover with amendments to make it more relevant and inclusive, and more about the important themes of the story, Arthur's idea for a new world and the founding of the table.
I venture to say that I'm the odd one out and despite the changes the BBC series 'Merlin' made, I do enjoy it better for its messages (though it's still not without its problems).
Basically, I'm glad to say that I've read another classic, but I'm more glad that I've finished it.
While the narrator was lovely, it didn't save my review of this book. I have been fascinated by medieval stories and especially King Arthur for years, and I never got around to reading the book until now.
Let me start by complaining that I found my copy to be abridged, which only became apparent while listening to the unabridged audio, so check your book- mine did not say it was abridged. It seemed interesting to me that the parts that WERE abridged in this copy had to do with topics of evolution and of the greek gods. What it didn't censor, unfortunately, were the overlying themes of incest, rape, and one very unattractive use of the 'n' word (which the audiobook DID censor). It's clear that the censoring priorties were questionable at best. There is nothing wrong with exploring heavy topics in fictional context but I didn't find it added anything to the story here.
The book itself is as most old books are, unrelatable for the most part, and dry. This is a book that I daresay really needs a modern makeover with amendments to make it more relevant and inclusive, and more about the important themes of the story, Arthur's idea for a new world and the founding of the table.
I venture to say that I'm the odd one out and despite the changes the BBC series 'Merlin' made, I do enjoy it better for its messages (though it's still not without its problems).
Basically, I'm glad to say that I've read another classic, but I'm more glad that I've finished it.