The sword in the stone

288 pages

English language

Published Dec. 30, 1963 by Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.

ISBN:
978-0-440-98445-0
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3 stars (2 reviews)

Wart, as young Arthur is called, becomes a wiser, more thoughtful person and a worthy king as a result of Merlin's lessons.

38 editions

Review of 'The Sword in the Stone (Collins Modern Classics)' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Gorgeous prose from White, and with a shining review from Le Guin it didn't come as a surprise. There's quite a bit of coarse language used that would not fly today--the n-word is used once. A product of the time in which it was written, certainly, but if you can get past some of the language it is a very pleasant read, and well-paced.

reviewed The sword in the stone by T. H. White (Laurel-leaf books)

Review of 'The sword in the stone' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

This is one of the more famous Arthur stories, and I am fairly sure I saw the Disney film decades ago. It did not make a large impression on me. Certain aspects of the book are very good, and others are far less so.

Young "Wart" is not descended from nobility like his companion Kay, and the two of them grow up in and around castle life. Only towards the end of the novel is there any potential friction, as Kay starts through his knighthood ceremony, leaving Wart as the squire. The finale of the novel moves far too fast, reducing Wart's moping to a few pages and skipping over Sir Kay's actions completely.

Well done was the anachronistic Merlyn. The comedy in his comments feels timeless, even though the novel was written several decades ago. He also introduces Wart to experiences that will make him the well-rounded King Arthur …

Subjects

  • Arthur, -- King -- Juvenile fiction.
  • Arthur, -- King -- Legends.
  • Arthur, -- King -- Fiction.
  • Arthur, -- King -- Legends.
  • Knights and knighthood -- Great Britain -- Juvenile fiction.
  • Folklore -- England.
  • Knights and knighthood -- Fiction.