THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS by Howard Pyle

This work is a bit different than what we normally review and post, but I feel it would be difficult to find a better book to introduce the young ones to the wonderful story of the legendary King Arthur.

I think it would be difficult to find a folk hero, historical figure or group of legends that are better known, have spawned more literature and have had more movies made of them than King Arthur and his legendary Round Table and the Knights and Ladies who were a part of his story. To be frank, I grew up on this stuff, and furtherer more, admit to having been tremendously influenced by these stories when I was younger. In a fashion, they are very much a part of my total make up. I can well remember reading and being read to out of this very rendition.

That being said… Howard Pyle first published this work in 1902. This book represents the first volume of Pyle’s retelling of the Arthurian Legend. These books, as most of this author’s work, were directed toward young people of that time. Do not though make the mistake of considering this work a simple child’s story, as it is far more than that. When I was in high school and then college, I ran headlong into Thomas Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur, and like many other young students, when completely numb. Later, I read Baines’ rendition, which was of course more readable, but still quite a chore. While these works are certainly worthwhile, and should certainly be read by anyone with the least bit of interest in classical literature, they never-the-less are not easy works. Actually, they are rather difficult and you actually have to work at them. This is good, but sometimes you just want to relax and enjoy a good story. (I often speculate as to just how many people have been completely turned off to classical literature via having been forced to read these old tales when they were young. For those of you who were; a suggestion…try rereading them now. It is amazing what twenty or thirty years will do to your outlook!

This offering by Pyle fits that need, both for the younger reader and for the adult. I admit to taking great delight in reading this author’s rendition of these old tales and am absolutely thrilled that they are again in print and in such a wonderful edition. The language Pyle uses stays true to the archaic style it was meant to be, yet it is not overwhelming. While the Malory translation is just a kick above G. Chaucer’s, it is never the less difficult in this day and age. Pyle has toned things down so that the average reader can read and enjoy without a lap full of arcane dictionaries setting in their lap, yet he has not lost the essence and beauty of the original work.

This volume starts with the birth of Arthur and then covers many of the tales concerning the various Knights of the Round Table. We meet Sir Kay, Queen Morgana le Fay, Sir Pellias, Sir Gawaine, the wicked down fall of Merlin; The Lady Vivian, Merlin himself and many, many others. The courtly manners, speech and now long outdated attitudes are all meticulously recorded in a readable manner. Now do beware; this is not a politically correct book by any means. The original basis for the story goes back hundreds of years and Pyle’s rendition was, after all, written in 1902. Actually, if this one is read to a much younger child, an adult really should do the reading and offer explanations as to why events were handled in the way they were.

This particular volume is of course illustrated by Howard Pyle himself. I must admit that he is probably one of my most, if not the most, favorite of the older illustrators. The pen and ink drawings are so typically Pyle that it is difficult to confuse him with others. The ample illustrations in this volume are all of that style and in fact strongly resemble old wood engravings. Pyle of course was the creator, or at least the inspirational origin of the Brandy Wine School of Illustration, which include some of the best of the past and are still quite influential today.

For a pure reading joy, this volume is difficult to beat. I cannot wait to get my hand on the rest of the things.

Considerations :::
The Accelerated Reading designation for The Story of King Arthur and his Knights is alternately given as 6.2 or 9.4. As that is a HUGE difference, and we've not been able to get clarification as to which number is correct at this time, our advice would be to assume that the book must be read to younger children.