Malory was a medieval author who wrote the first recorded account of the largely mythical King Arthur. It is largely an account of the 100 knights of the round table (or "table round"). Unfortunately, these stories are rarely interesting (except maybe for graphic descriptions of quality kills) and it really gets tedious. The stories we commonly associate with King Arthur have their seeds here, but are fleshed out derivatives, it's hard to see the story we're all familiar with. Perhaps Malory was a minstrel and these tales made for good song, but for read, they are dull, dull, dull. ( )

Gorgeous and epic. It's quite a haul to get all the way through, but well worth the effort. A must-read for any fan of Arthurian legend. ( )

Having adored T.H. White's "The Once and Future King" in high school, I figured I would read this classic treatment of the Arthurian legends and enjoy it as well. Unfortunately, Malory's work was far less entertaining. Sure, I expected prose from the 15th century to be a harder to get through and denser than White's 20th century treatment, but "Le Morte D'Arthur" barely has an actual story. Malory gives us a series of very repetitive events and makes it difficult to identify with or even care about the main characters. I did give the book three stars, though, almost completely on the strength of the first chapters that go over Arthur's rise to the throne and the final chapter recounting his legendary death. These are worth reading and are very good. Overall, though, if you are looking for a more meaningful and entertaining telling of the Arthurian legends, go to White. ( )

One of my top 5 books -- if I could take only 5 books with me to a desert island, this would be one of them ( )

Very long, but as usual interesting that something written so long ago is still relatively current. ( )

While I can appreciate it's standing as the English epic and the beauty of its prose, the key moments are disarrayed within a relentless series of encounters between incredible knights. Homer and Virgil are more believable and more touching because they are more human. Were I to recommend the death of Arthur, I would probably specify portions that avoid the action-movie feel of endless jousts. The opening sets the foundation of Arthur (Excalibur, Mordred) and is the only part involving Merlin. Perhaps a few sections in the middle regarding Sir Beumains, Sir Tritram, and the Lady Isoud would also be included. The last few hundred pages finally bring out a plot, showing the conflict between Lancelout and Arthur -- and the tragic result. If one wants to understand the nature of the knight errant, they might read just a few chapters to get the idea. ( )

The mother of all Arthurian legends. Not the easiest reading, and extremely repetitious at points, but worth it if you like King Arthur stories. The ending chapters on the fall of Camelot are incredible. ( )

despite the difficult language (this is an untranslated version) very good read. ( )

Beautiful edition, illuminated with artwork on every page. Collection of legends of Arthur done by Malory. ( )

Beautiful, oversized hardcover edition of this classic work. Learn the story of King Arthur as is was first "recorded." Highly recommended! ( )

Another really old book I've saved for years and now passed on to Ty. ( )

I have to say it took me quite a few sausage roll lunch hours to get through this one as a kid. There is no doubt it is very interesting and important for the whole Arthur thing.

Those interested should definitely check it out from that point of view, even if only having a browse, it is well worth the time to see the origins of a lot of this.

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1251
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1252

http://freesf.blogspot.com/2007/02/le... ( )

The book that started it all. My sincere thanks to Sir Thomas.

An essential Arthurian Legend text. ( )

An absolute childhood favorite - I took my Malory (and my thesaurus) everywhere! I fear I wore out a few copies before I acquired this sturdy hardcover. ( )