For hundreds of years, the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table has been one of the world's most precious literary possessions. In 1902, the distinguished American artist Howard Pyle undertook to retell and illustrate this classic. His four-volume work has long been considered one of the outstanding interpretations of the Arthurian cycle.
Here, in The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, the first volume of the four, is the true spirit of the England of that time, when Arthur, son of Uther-Pendragon, was overlord of Britain and Merlin was a powerful enchanter, when the sword Excalibur was forged and won, when the Round Table came into being.
Howard Pyle's 1902 retelling of the English classic captures all the mystery, language, and legend of the early days of King Arthur. Pyle's collection begins with King Arthur's parents and Merlin's prophecy of his birth. It continues through the king's childhood, marriage, and creation of the Round Table. Stuart Langton offers a respectful and entertaining interpretation, with only slight characterization and light dramatization. His mastery of Old English formality transcends its intimidation factor, and the listener soon becomes blissfully unaware of all the "forsooth's" and "foreby's" throughout the text. The old stories take on a fresh vitality under Langton's skillful touch and leave us looking for the next volume. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine
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If one is ready to take the plunge into intricate and antiquated language and to attend to the genealogy of each character and the minute details of each episode, then one will come away highly satisfied and steeped in knowledge of Arthur's early years. David Thorn is a masterful narrator. As his accent transports us to the British Isles, his pacing and conversational tone provide an intimate link to the characters. Thorn's characterizations are distinctive. He creates an ethereal Merlin, mystical Ladies from the Lake, an unassuming yet regal Arthur, a scheming Morgan le Fay, and a gracious Sir Pellias. From the moment Arthur is entrusted to Merlin until the quest for the white hart, the stories are riveting. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
About the Author
Howard Pyle (1853-1911), author and illustrator, was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Inspired as a child by Grimm’s Fairy Tales and The Arabian Nights, he decided as an adult to write and illustrate stories for children. After some success contributing to children’s magazines, he became famous with his book of Robin Hood, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire. He also wrote and illustrated historical romances and fairy-stories.
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The Story of King Arthur and His Knights
by Howard Pyle
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