James Mustich's 1000 Books to Read Before You Die discussion

A discussion for the first book of the series The Once and Future King, The Sword in the Stone.

This is a jolly, humorous story, which to my surprise is fairly closely followed by the Disney film (as I recall it from years ago), but which also includes other delightful tales, such as the adventure with Robin ‘ood (Wood) and Little John to rescue Friar Tuck from Morgan le Fay.
The book is set in a legendary time, after the Norman conquest of England (1066), whilst the Saxons (earlier invaders of England) were still identifiable, so perhaps 1100 to 1350 (twelfth century, or whenever it was, and in a remote castle on the border of the Marches (English Welsh border)), whilst chivalry was the highest ideal and Uther Pendragon (1066-1216!) was king.
White writes in an easy but verbose style, including many details of the English countryside and chivalry which deepen the story, making it a richer tale, but perhaps making it difficult to read fluidly for a modern reader. However as an older British reader, the book brilliantly conjures up the simple heroic English history that I was taught at school. This is a story of an England that never existed, except in our folk memory, although the deeds of chivalry are now mimicked by the jousting tournaments held occasionally in the summer at English castles and stately homes for the delight of tourists and children.
As first published in 1938, the humorous horror of being transformed into an ant, hearing Antland, Antland Over All being sung and lectures about war, patriotism and the economic situation, would have very pointed contemporary references. This lightly hidden political criticism is immediately followed by an approving description (without apparent irony) of the feudal system and the farm labourers (villeins as they were called) with their freedom of spirit liking their servitude in this medieval rural idyll, compared favourably to town workers.
It is fun to try and work out the hymn or song tunes to match the rhythm of White’ verses included from time to time, which is easy with the Battle Hymn of the (US) Republic.
The countryside and nature writing, especially about the white fronted geese, is wonderful and accurate as well (lyo-lyok is the slightly yodelling call they give), although necessarily anthropomorphic for the purposes of Wart’s education. I am an amateur ornithologist, so all the bird descriptions appealed to me.
However, Wart’s animal education ends with the badger: ”Which did you like best,” he asked, “the ants or the wild geese?”
The winter journey to London following Uther Pendragon’s death is followed, briefly, by a tournament of the knights of England, and Wart’s pulling of the sword from the stone, aided by his friendship with the animals.

I really enjoyed this book, familiar as it might be in outline from the eponymous Disney film, due to its humour, brilliantly descriptive writing and close observation of nature.

Having seen the movie first, I had expected the book to have taken a more serious tone that the movie adapted for its own Disney-esque purposes. I was actually surprised that the movie was so similar to the book and that the book was very comic. I was not really a huge fan of the comic style but the story was still interesting. I do agree with Carlton that the descriptions of the animals was fascinating and educational.

I think that Merlyn's anachronisms started to bother me after awhile. But I suppose they were important to give the story an overall meaning as it related to the time it was written.

I gave this part of the whole 3 three stars.

Sean wrote: "Having seen the movie first, I had expected the book to have taken a more serious tone that the movie adapted for its own Disney-esque purposes. I was actually surprised that the movie was so simil..."

I was surprised as well, as I was expecting a more somber tone. But once I shifted my expectation and realized this was also aimed at kids, I quite enjoyed it, and even laughed at a few parts.

As someone who isn't as familiar with the Arthur mythos, I really only remembered the Disney movie and various famous characters that will appear (and pop culture references like Monty Python). So I'm exited to see where the story goes from here now that Arthur will be older.