Help?

[brigdh]

Okay. So let's imagine, for a moment, that I somehow managed to grow up and become a fairly well-read adult, and yet I have no knowledge of the King Arthur legends. At all. Aside from vague memories of a TV miniseries from about five years ago and the kinds of tiny details scattered throughout English literature (there's a sword in a stone? Or possibly a sword in a lake? They go looking for the Grail? Stay and found Camelot? There's an island with apples on it? Merlin wears Bermuda shorts? Knights who say ni?), I have no idea about any of the people, events, or places. But I want to know. Recommend me some things- what do you suggest as good starting points? What are some nice, thorough versions that require no foreknowledge? Or alternatively, what are some cool retellings?

And hey, since we're on the topic, recommend me any book, King Arthur or no. I'm thinking of what to ask for for Christmas, and things to read are always good.

Comments

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Did you like Mists of Avalon? I've generally heard bad things about it, but I'd love to hear your opinion.

[eag.livejournal.com]

I read it a really long time ago, so I don't remember everything. But I remember liking it, overall. It was an interesting take on male sky gods vs. female earth goddesses. I've had a few history teachers/professors make references to it for that point.

I recalled that I enjoyed it. Like most of MZB's other stuff, it's kind of soap-opera-ish, in the sense that it's very much about the personal and familial relationships people have with each other (not in the 'omg evil twin' sense). And there are lots of long conversations about religion and so forth, which I think turns some people off. But they're not terrible. Like, one of the points a character brings up is something like, "would you trust someone to be part of your religion if they couldn't stay loyal to the faith they were born to?" as a comment on religious conversion.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

"would you trust someone to be part of your religion if they couldn't stay loyal to the faith they were born to?"

Oooo. You know, that's a really interesting question, and I've never thought of it that way before. *ponders*

But thanks for the rec. I do like hearing from both sides of the issue. ^^

[eag.livejournal.com]

No prob. :) Hope you enjoy it, if you end up wanting to read it.