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Argh, I always forget how faithless Gawain is in Malory/stuff inspired by Malory, like this. Meh. :(

Hmmmm. I'm struggling to remember why I really liked this in the end! I think it's the story of Lancelot that he really expands and humanises; I just finished the Balin and Balan part, which is still like a summary of Malory. Let's see...

I remember really enjoying some of the later parts of this, but the opening parts feel very rushed -- almost a summary, even. I can't remember if Malory (which iirc is a pretty close source for Steinbeck, especially for the early parts) is equally whizzy.

...I can sense I might need to reread some Malory to refresh my memory. Maybe NOT in the original this time, though.

Published after his death, Steinbeck's take on Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur is entertaining. Included are the seven tales that Steinbeck managed to translate before his death, along with an appendix of Steinbeck's letters to his literary agents regarding his struggles with writing it. The story of Gawain, Ewain, and Marhalt is excellent, as is The Noble Tale of Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Overall, a good volume for one looking to start reading Arthur.

"When Uther Pendragon was King of England his vassal, the Duke of Cornwall, was reported to have committed acts of war against the land."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Thanks for the tag @Come-read-with-me ...so much fun to select which shelf to display.
Here are seven(+) books #TotheLeftTotheLeft of a book shelf that houses colorful editions of classic literature. All are read except for the John Steinbeck book. I enjoy the Arthurian Legend so I‘m not sure what is taking so long to get with that book.
One day...

@Ruthiella would you like to share the first 7 books on the left of any of your bookshelves?👇🏽

The real gem of the book are the letters exchanged from Steinbeck and his wife to his literary agent and editor. (Note, buying special pens for an author with THIS EXACT INK and shipping them overseas to him is no longer in an editor's job description.) In the letters, Steinbeck explains why he chose to write the book the way he did, why the characters are all flat symbols, why it seems like "Malory hated women"! It was so fascinating.

I‘d never heard of this one.

#forfontssake #anditsaugust
@RealLifeReading

King Arthur and a little kir at #Bookclub2 🍷📚

Although I finished it in this beautiful place, I really didn't care for this book. It was boring and repetitive although it had some pretty phrases. Sorry Mr Steinbeck (although apparently he never finished it. So that could explain it too.)

"...understanding does not remove the fear. It increases it."

#medievalwisdom ⚔️

So, I really should be reading this for one of my book clubs. But I read the first chapter and didn't like it at all. Thought it was quite boring 😬. So I've been procrastinating and kept re-reading my Dark Tower series instead. So, I've given myself a deadline. By this Sunday I will keep up the Stephen King and then give it a little halt while I go back to King Arthur and also start my other book club read, And the mountains echoed 💆🏽🙅🏽

"When Uther Pendragon was King of England his vassal, the Duke of Cornwall, was reported to have committed acts of war against the land. Then Uther ordered the duke to attend his court and to bring with him his wife, Igraine, who was famed for her wisdom and beauty." #firstlines

It is one of my life's rules that if you stumble across a Steinbeck you have never read it must be purchased, even if it sits unread on your shelves for years like this book about #royals.