Once And Future King [Paperback]

Like many classics, this book inspired both great love and great irritation. It is a classic retelling of the Arthurian legends - White does not add to the legends with his own additions, but rather sticks closely to manuscripts and stories that have gone before, most notably Thomas Mallory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur', also considered a classic. The book is divided into four major sections: 'The Sword in the Stone', 'The Queen of Air and Darkness', 'The Ill-Made Knight', and 'The Candle in the Wind'. The overall tone of Arthur's legend goes from hopefulness to tragedy, as even the final conflicts become unresolved, hence the idea that Arthur will come again.

The title of this work comes from the supposed inscription on Arthur's tomb: HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS. The sweep goes from Arthur's childhood to the final battle with his son Mordred. Like many works, this is both a piece of entertainment as well as a political commentary (think 'The Wizard of Oz' here) - Mordred's thrashers are Nazi stormtroopers, for example. This book was the product of the time just before World War II. Merlin's preaching of just war theory (the only acceptable reason for going to war is to prevent another war) is apropos of the time. The Round Table has definite tones of internationalism (from the failed League of Nations to the soon-to-be-born United Nations), and the concept of Might FOR Right (rather than might makes right) is embodied in the idealism of the Round Table fellowship. The rule of law over the rule of men is exemplified in Arthur's struggle against Lancelot and Guinevere. Merlyn also, because of the benefit of his hindsight being actually foresight (he lives backwards through time), continues to make allusions to things such as tanks, modern technology, and even to Adolf Hitler (albeit obliquely).

The tale gets progressively darker as the story continues - the seduction of Arthur by his half-sister will have major consequences later; Lancelot's seduction of Guinevere and her infidelity sow the seeds of the downfall of the Round Table Fellowship, and the final of the four sections is relentlessly bleak.

Still, this is a classic retelling of a classic tale, which continues to be revitalised in media, books, and popular imagination. Whereas some of White's contemporaries chose to create new worlds (think of Tolkien and 'The Lord of the Rings' here), White chose to revisit an old tale that has roots in the legends of the land directly and recast them for modern audiences. As the tales of Arthur continue to have life into the future (he really will be, in a sense, a future king), White's book will stand as a strong link in the chain of storytelling that has maintained this tale for over a thousand years.

Besides its captivating plot, The Once and Future King reveals T.H. White's views of the world's societies. Even though this book was written from 1939 to 1958, its main points are still relevant to today's world. For example, when the Wart explores the moat as a fish, he is introduced to the monarchy form of government, which seems to work fairly well in keeping peace among the fish. The King of the Moat commands total respect from all the other fish, which allows for a successful monarchy. As an ant though, the Wart experiences a harsh totalitarian society, which festers war and greed among neighboring nests. The Wart is also exposed to the peaceful libertarian society of the geese. The geese treat one another with respect, which helps keep the peace. T.H. White suggests that a society that is based on mutual respect and sharing rather than strictness and force functions best. However, White does not overwhelm the story with his political views. Instead he subtly exposes them through a creative, entertaining plot filled with sometimes bizarre and always interesting characters.

One of the main themes of this book is the contradiction in using force to bring about justice. While King Arthur at first enjoys war, he eventually learns it is immoral. The lessons Arthur learned still apply to today's world. In the end Arthur finds justice and an ideal society impossible to achieve, just as they are today.

This book is now one of my personal favorites.