The Sword in the Stone - TH White
Narrated by Neville Jason.
Originally published in 1938.
This is a apparently a very well-known version of the King Arthur legend, and is the basis for the 1963 animated Disney movie of the same name. Elise suggested that we find an Arthur version, I suggested this one, and we gave it a go. If you've seen the Disney movie (I have, Elise has not so far) you would know that its quite different to many versions you've heard before: Merlin refers to modern (by 1960s standards) knowledge, Arthur is known generally as 'Wart', much of the runtime is spent transforming Arthur into various animals in order to teach him life lessons, and Merlin also does battle against 'Madame Mim', rather than one of his more traditional enemies like Morgan le Fey. So, going into the book I expected it to be somewhat different, but still to have a recognizable 'Arthurian' story to it.
The book is far more bizarre than the movie version. We still get Arthur's transformations, but now there are more and with far less straightforward morals to them. Politics, natural history, evolution and religion are all touched upon, sometimes in great length, and often with a slightly satirical bent to them. The character King Pellinore features, an eccentric old knight who is hunting 'the Questing Beast' but also seems to grow a friendship with it. There is a scene involving sneaking into a fairy castle, one involving a hunt for a griffin, and one in which a cannibalistic giant hunts an invisible Arthur and Merlin. The battle with Mim does occur, but this is only one episode rather than being a major feature, and a relatively early one at that. Kay, an antagonist in the movie, is more sympathetic in this version and often befriends Arthur - who is still called 'Wart' in the book as well. Robin Hood and his merry men also feature on occasion.
The book is humorous, occasionally long winded, and darker-than-expected in other places. It also feels very little like an Arthur story; the titular "sword in the stone" episode suddenly comes about in the last few chapters with very little build up, and without it or the names Arthur, Merlin, Kay and Ector, this would not really be anything to do with the original legends.
So... what do I think about it?
Good question.
It's odd. It is funny. It's definitely not an Arthur story. It does drag on at times.
If you take all those things into account... it is an interesting and weird book, well narrated in this audio version. Not sure whether I'd read the sequel though, except maybe to see if it becomes more 'Arthury' now that he has Excalibur.
Completed with Elise, 5 February 2023.
(Elise Books)
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