This is a c2 deticated to writers of arthurian legend. The series was originally planned as a trilogy, but after the third book ended somewhat abruptly and lawhead decided to. This is a list of arthurian fiction writers from the start of the 20th century onward. Medieval writers, especially the french, variously treated stories of arthurs birth, the adventures of his knights, and the adulterous love between his knight sir lancelot and his queen, guinevere. I have no doubt that im a medievalist in part because i have a deep and abiding love for all things arthurian. Not only is this a place to find legends, but it is a community where other authors are more than willing to help if you get stuck on your story. The protagonist in my historical fiction adventure embracing the elephant is named guinevere not for a love of the woman, but for the love of the tales. Ya books with arthurian legend 104 books goodreads. Nitze, william albert, arthurian romance and modern poetry and music.
Maybe 6 books a year at this publishing house, and that based on. The merlin codex, a trilogy of mythic fiction novels which trace merlins adventures in europe before the time of king arthur, placing him alongside jason and the argonauts and urtha pendragon. Earlier history writers such as gildas, bede, and nennius had already established the existence of a british. This is the basic and essential reading list for arthurian enthusiasts and scholars. Fantastic fiction historical fiction juvenile fiction the arthurian legend english fiction american fiction adaptations fantasy fiction, english great britain britonskings and rulers kings and rulers. King arthur, camelot, the wizard merlin, lancelot, arthurs wife guinevere, the sword excalibur, the knights of the round table. There are a large number of popular books on arthurian, and choosing the best books on arthurian out of thee can be a difficult task. The historical king arthur ancient history encyclopedia.
If so, these childrens books for kids who love king arthur, knights, sorcery and chivalry will transport them back to the days of camelot and its legendary heroes. By ordering through our website, you help support this nonprofit journal, the only one of its kind in the world. The pendragon cycle is a series of fantasyhistorical fiction by american novelist stephen r. The series was originally planned as a trilogy, but after the third book ended somewhat abruptly and lawhead decided to add two more books onto the series. All this means that a great many arthurian books just dont evoke the particular. This article was sourced from creative commons attributionsharealike license. Heres a minihistory of arthurian legend as seen in science fiction. The pendragon cycle is a series of historical fantasy books based on the arthurian legend, written by stephen r. May 16, 2017 as with any famous figure, however, the question arises as to whether the legend is based on any fact.
Popular books on arthurian best book recommendations, best. You might also enjoy this historical fiction series book list. Arthur rex is a tragicomic retelling of the arthurian legend. Anyone have any recommendations for modern books based around arthurian legend.
Do they love stories about king arthur and the round table. These books have merlin, arthurs wizard mentor, as their focal point, and the result is a charming, engrossing tale providing a unique perspective on a familiar tale. Nov 07, 2017 i have no doubt that im a medievalist in part because i have a deep and abiding love for all things arthurian. White a classic and considered one of the best reimagining of the arthurian legend.
Read carefullyresearched and factually accurate analyses of the foremost arthurian legend author sir thomas malory and important arthurian legend characters such as sir lancelot, queen guinevere, and morgan le fay. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. His research began as a simple exploration of a notable scottish clan, but quickly it became clear that many of the familiar symbols of arthurian legendthe round table, the sword in the stone, the lady of the lakeare based on very real and still accessible places in the scottish highlands. The merlin trilogy is mary stewarts take on the arthurian legend in three books. Mckenzie is an american author of historical fiction. The best arthurian novels for fans of actual history. Centuries of authors and artists have drawn inspiration from the matter of britain, leaving rich treasures for rare book collectors to delight in.
Arthurian reading list including sections fiction, historical fiction. What are the best books on the legend of merlin and king. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled. Films based on the arthurian legend are many and varied.
Bryher set her historical novel ruan in britain immediately after arthurs. Some of the earliest adult books i remember reading, usually with my mom, were arthurian legends, or books based on arthurian legend. Arthuriana early arthurian tradition and the origins of the legend thomas green the lindes press. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. There are number of standard recommendations which are great susan coopers dark is rising series mary stewart crystal cave mists of avalon for something completely different and original check out daughter of camelot by glynis cooney. Legend of the sword 2017 is not the first movie about the legendary british leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defence of britain against saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries ad.
They will sweep you away to a mythical realm of fantasy, magic, and adventure. Mark twains book marks the first king arthurbased science fiction tale. With a map of arthurian scotland, edinburgh, edmonston and douglas, 1869, by john s. Prince, the welsh take on the arthurian legend is very interesting. The first two books contain a reimaging of the arthurian legend. Everyone knows arthur, lancelot, guinevere, and merlin so writers have a strong base of knowledge to work with and so their own versions of these legendary. King arthur and the knights of the round table never existed in real life. The book is one of the most widely known works on arthurian literature in english. Wikipedia page listing arthurian legend in modern literature, theater, opera, film, television, comics, games and music. I too have loved the arthurian legend since an early age and wrote a thesis on it in college. Arthur, merlin, guenivere, lancelot, mordred riffs on them all. The core myths of the celtic peoples centre on the great cycle of stories based on the life and exploits of king arthur. Fiction, magic, magical realism, realistic fiction.
The crystal cave, the hollow hills, and the last enchantment. A very enjoyable take on arthurian legend i might be biased as im a big cornwell fan in general. King arthur non fiction king arthur libguides at san. Nov 20, 2019 do you kids dream of splendor, magic and adventure. My favourite novel of arthurian legend is the long wind trilogy by gillian. A guide to the arthurian fantasy subgenre and arthurian fantasy book. So, here we present to you top 10 books on arthurian which can help you experience this magical tale. Its far from exhaustivetheres a lot of arthurian scifibut it should demonstrate that knights and their shining armor can fit in perfectly amid spaceships and lens flares. The child queen won discovery of the year from del rey books in 1993, and the washington irving medal from westchester library association, ny the following. List of books and articles about king arthur online.
Nitze, william albert, arthurian romance and modern poetry and music chicago, ill. There have been many suggestions over the years as to the best candidate for the historical arthur, but the most reasonable response is that he was based on a british leader of the 5th or 6th century ce. Browse series, pseudonyms, synopses, and subgenres. Apr 02, 2019 his research began as a simple exploration of a notable scottish clan, but quickly it became clear that many of the familiar symbols of arthurian legend the round table, the sword in the stone, the lady of the lakeare based on very real and still accessible places in the scottish highlands. The merlin codex, a trilogy of mythic fiction novels which trace merlins adventures in europe before the time of king arthur, placing him. Just finished book 9 of the saxon chronicles and love the series. I included books for all ages, roughly listed in order for youngest readers on up. Depending on your standards, mark twains book marks the first king arthur based science fiction tale. These camelot books and king arthur books capture the timeless splendor. Hundreds of books and millions of words have been written about these people and their trials and tribulations, and thats just the fiction. Popular books on arthurian best book recommendations. This list of king arthur books includes retellings of the arthurian legends as told by sir thomas malory in his le morte darthur, as well as original titles which draw upon some of its elements. Online shopping for fiction from a great selection of science fiction used, new and collectible books. The arthurian legend in celtic literatures and traditions arthurian literature in the middle ages.
So, today, here are seven books or series based on the arthurian legend. Books about the arthurian legend what should i read next. It is a massive book list of historical fiction series organized by locale and focus. List of works based on arthurian legends wikipedia. The literary development of the arthurian legend ancient. Mark twains book marks the first king arthur based science fiction tale. Depending on your standards, mark twains book marks the first king arthurbased science fiction tale. A list of young adult books that feature arthurian legend in some form or other.
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. While reading tony hays novel the killing way, which is based on a murder mystery set back in arthurian times, i became curious as to how much of the legend of king arthur is true or if it is just a mythical adventure that has inspired books, cinemas, and even plays. But i think arthurian books conjure more magic than most. Medieval writers, especially the french, variously treated stories of arthurs birth, the adventures of his knights, and. Arthurian legend, the mass of legend, popular in medieval lore, concerning king arthur of britain and his knights. World heritage encyclopedia content is assembled from numerous content providers, open access publishing, and in compliance with the fair access to science and technology research act fastr, wikimedia foundation, inc. Apr 12, 2011 while reading tony hays novel the killing way, which is based on a murder mystery set back in arthurian times, i became curious as to how much of the legend of king arthur is true or if it is just a mythical adventure that has inspired books, cinemas, and even plays. Technically, yes, set in a parallel fantasy world, but there are books filed. What is your favorite film about the arthurian legend. The book has also been told and retold several times over the years and there are also many books which take inspiration from this legend. The revived arthurian romance also proved influential in the united states, with such books as sidney laniers the boys king arthur 1880 reaching wide audiences and providing inspiration for mark twains satire a connecticut yankee in king arthurs court 1889. A book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
In her novel, sutcliff reimagines the legendary king arthur as a real. This early history book of england and wales mentions arthur, and then geoffrey of monmouth took the stories and added his own. The mists of avalon by marion zimmer bradley, the once and future king by t. Are there any good novels or stories set either in the ancient history period hittites. I like the responses of the other people who answered the question. King arthur, camelot, the wizard merlin, lancelot, arthurs wife guinevere, the sword excalibur, the knights of the round table, these are some of the ingredients of the popular legend. Five books that anybody interested in king arthur should take a look at. Can even be a modern interpretation, as long as its good.
While not precisely fantasy, the books are a mix of historical fiction and arthurian mythology, with lots of cool. Set in an extraordinary realm of myth and magic, yet written in a lean and. The mists of avalon has rightfully gained a reputation as being one of the most original and retelling of the arthurian legend. Explore the books that inspired netflixs new fantasy epic. Her three merlin novels the crystal cave, the hollow hills, and the last enchantment and the wicked day about camelot s fall were a wonderful historical rendering of arthurian times told from merlins point of view. This first novel of the series introduces readers to a young merlin, who does not. Up to 20 books are listed, in descending order of popularity at this site.
More than any other novelist, mary stewart brought arthurian fiction into fashion. Here is the list of 10 bestselling books on arthurian which are recommended by many enthusiasts. I must confess that i have read all of the good fantasy books. Amazon best sellers our most popular products based on sales. Arthurian legend in all areas with the result that, in general, scholars look to. The earliest apparent mention of arthur in any known literature is. The arthurian ball started rolling when a monk wrote historia brittonum for a welsh king. Badonin which, according to the annales cambriae c. A bibliographic guide to welsh arthurian literature and a gazetteer of arthurian onomastic and topographic folklore represent detailed. At bauman rare books, we believe all books are, in some sense, magical. White was first published in 1958 and was based on the work by sir thomas malory. Recently finished the mists of avalon which i quite enjoyed and am in the mood for more fiction based on arthurian legend. Mckenzie published the child queen in 1994, and its sequel, the high queen, a year later. The cycle was originally planned as a fourbook series, but the original publisher opted to stop after the first three books, resulting in arthurs rather abrupt ending and the existence of many unexplored stories and plotlines lawhead moved to a new publisher a.
The mists of avalon by marion zimmer bradley, the once. Few tales cast a spell quite as lasting as the legend of king arthur and. A very enjoyable take on arthurian legend i might be biased as im a big. The grailquest gamebooks center on the kingdom of king arthur. Arthurian legend, the body of stories and medieval romances, known as the matter of britain, centring on the legendary king arthur. List of media based on arthurian legend project gutenberg. Higham, king arthur, mythmaking and history routledge, 2002, and in n.
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