What I've Been Reading, Arthurian edition: Le Morte d'Arthur, by Sir Thomas Malory

[apep727]

So we’re coming to the end of Arthur month. I’ve had some schedule slips, but still managed to keep up with semi-regular posting, so that’s good. I began May with a review of White’s The Sword in the Stone, one of the defining versions of the King Arthur story, and now I’m going to discuss the defining work of Arthurian fiction.

That’s right - Sir

Comments

[zelda_queen]

Yeah, word on the annoying Mary Sue-ness of the various characters. That's why I like The Once and Future King better. It put a lot more into making the characters flawed, Galahad is hardly in it and most of the characters seem aware and unnerved by his unnatural perfection, more focus is put on several good knights and a good lady vanishing from the world rather than an ascent to Heaven, and Lancelot wasn't anywhere near perfect.

[apep727]

I'd be more willing to forgive the Sue-ness if it weren't so blatant.

I didn't mention it, but Guinevere went all "pissy mean girl" when she found out Lancelot was in another woman's room when he was supposed to visit her's. I got the impression I was supposed to view this as Guinevere being unreasonable (which she was), but I was also mad at Lancelot, because he was going to visit Guinevere, aka the king's wife.

Personally, I blame the French. They're the ones who introduced Lancelot in the first place.

Also, I really need to finish reading Once and Future King. I know it gets better after Sword in the Stone, but I need to make a dent in my to-read pile first.