What is the all time best book or novel concerning the legends of King Arthur and Merlin?

Question

My favorite is the all time classic "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White. Im looking for new books to read on the topic.

Answer 1

Definately Stephen R. Lawhead's Trilogy:
"Taliesin", "Merlin" and "Arthur".

He followed it up with a second trilogy:
"Pendragon", "Grail", and "Avalon"
which I didn't like as well, except for Avalon - it's the "future" (sent in the present day) part of the "once and future king" idea.


Jack Whyte's "Dream of Eagles/Camulod Chronicles" is also pretty good. The books are: The Skystone, The Singing Sword, The Eagle's Brood, The Saxon Shore


Also, look for these books:
The Romance of Arthur (a compendium of medieval source material)
Arthur and the Lost Kingdoms (a look at some the possible historical source material)
Arthur, The Dragon King (a different look at the roots of the legend; material from this book was included in the recent "King Arthur" movie with Clive Owen).
The Gododdin (the ancient Welsh poem that contains the earliest known reference to Arthur).

Answer 2

"Le Morte d'Arthur" by Malory is one of the oldest and the one that is generally the basis of all the others. It is available in English but is somewhat difficult to read since its language is archaic and quaint. There are many many recent variations, the majority written by women. A Merlin trilogy which was well received was authored by Mary Stuart, the first of the three titled "The Crystal Cave" and the second "These Hollow Hills". Marion Zimmer Bradley wrote an exellent version "The Mists of Avalon" told primarily by Morgan La Fey. There is a book by Thomas Berger which tells the story in an amusing fashion. Try Amazon for a more extensive list with synopses and reviews...

Answer 3

My personal favorite is Mary Stewart's tetralogy that begins with 'The Crystal Cave'. While it focuses on Merlin, she retells the tale using the most historically-accurate information available. In her notes for the last book, 'That Wicked Day', she confesses that she had not fully researched Mordred's involvement, learning only after the first three books had been published that there is really only one reference to him in the original Arthurian legends, and that it gives no indication of who he is or what side he supported. Therefore, she had to reshape things to handle that information and still fit in with what she had already written. Even so, it's a fascinating perspective.

Answer 4

I'm going to agree with two answers, Lawhead's trilogy is amazing, he is one of the most eloquent, spellbinding authors I've ever read. Mary Stewart's "Crystal Cave" and following are also fantastic. I have to recommend Stephen R. Lawhead's Pendragon cycle above all though. Definitely check him out.