Discovering King Arthur - Softcover

Beare, Beryl

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0572023677 ISBN 13: 9780572023676

Publisher: W Foulsham & Co Ltd, 1998

Synopsis

Anybody seeking an introduction to King Arthur will find no more enjoyable journey. Structured in Acts and Scenes, this book offers smooth continuity and a jolly good read. As the individual tales reveal the drama, the characters are listed and explained and the scenes are set with some brief information about their times. The final act provides an edifying peep behind the scenes to inform on the authors and their sources. Each story has been selected for popularity, dramatic strength and entertainment. And the whole is very much stronger and more entertaining than the sum of its parts!

About this title

From the Author

Synopsis of book and remarks by leading Arthurian authority.
‘Discovering King Arthur’ is not intended as an academic book, but is a voyage of discovery through the Arthurian cycle with stories retold from the main British authors. Because these stories have been selected for their dramatic impact they are divided into acts, and scenes within acts, but are told in straightforward narrative form with each act and scene introduced by a brief passage from its original source.

The stories range from before Arthur’s birth, with - from Geoffrey of Monmouth - Merlin’s prophecies and his adventures at the hand of King Vortigen. They continue through the cycle with various tales from Malory, a tale from the Welsh ‘Mabinogion’, and the entertaining story of Gareth and Lynette from Tennyson’s ‘Idylls of the King’.

‘Discovering King Arthur’ also contains much helpful information for the reader: a brief description of the characters, some details about the geographical and political situation in fifth and sixth century Britain, a synopsis of the Arthurian story and, finally, some information about the authors and their sources and the influence of Arthur on our culture today.

Geoffrey Ashe - one of Britain’s leading Arthurian authorities - has written a most interesting and enlightening foreword, and also some helpful notes on the pronunciation of Welsh names. Geoffrey’s foreword is a compelling read in its own right and in it he says: "Over the centuries his (Arthur’s) legend keeps fading out and returning ... The phenomenon is richly multiple, with a shape-shifting hero ... Beryl Beare’s selection (‘Discovering King Arthur’) has the special merit of revealing some of the multiplicity. Many people have read, as children, one of the countless junior Arthur books - probably based on Malory, expurgated - and grown up assuming that this is the whole story. It isn’t, and Beryl shows that it isn’t. Boldly, she retells the anonymous Welsh tale of Culhwch and Olwen (‘The Mabinogion’). With its barbaric adventures, fantastic characters and weird monsters, it is unlike anything else. As for the known authors whom Beryl so skilfully adapts, I am pleased to find Geoffrey of Monmouth given a good innings ... His inventive ’History of the Kings of Britain’ is one of the key books of the Middle Ages."

Geoffrey Ashe concludes his foreword by saying that he is pleased and honoured to have the privilege of contributing to ‘Discovering King Arthur’.

The January 2000 edition of ‘Prediction’ said of ‘Discovering King Arthur’ "... a fresh retelling of the familiar stories, illustrated in full colour with beautiful Victorian paintings by various artists ... With the recent discovery of a slate at Tintagel allegedly inscribed with Arthur’s name, it would seem that the once and future king may be in for a mini revival ... not that he ever went away ... his legend has captured the human imagination throughout the centuries. In this respect, this latest retelling of the heroic deeds of Arthur and his knights (‘Discovering King Arthur’) can be highly recommended."

Synopsis

Structured in "acts" and "scenes", this book offers an introduction to King Arthur. As the individual tales reveal the story, the characters are listed and explained, and the scenes are set with some brief information about their times. The final act includes the authors and their sources.

About this edition

• Publisher: W Foulsham & Co Ltd
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0572023677
• ISBN 13: 9780572023676
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192