Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: Fantasy / Folklore / Classic Literature

Book Review:
Howard Pyle's ''The Story of King Arthur and His Knights'' is a beloved classic that has introduced generations of readers to the magical world of Camelot. This volume collects Pyle's first two Arthurian books, ''The Story of King Arthur and His Knights'' and ''The Story of the Champions of the Round Table,'' along with more than 100 of his original illustrations. It is a treasure.

Pyle was a master of both writing and illustration, and his versions of these medieval tales have a distinctive charm. He writes in a style that evokes the old romances—formal, slightly archaic, but always clear and engaging. His illustrations, with their strong lines and dramatic compositions, are the perfect complement to the text.

The stories themselves are the ones we know: the sword in the stone, the founding of the Round Table, the love of Lancelot and Guinevere, the quest for the Holy Grail. But Pyle tells them with a freshness and vigor that makes them feel new. He is particularly good at capturing the chivalric ideals of the knights—their courage, their honor, their loyalty—while also showing their human flaws.

This edition is especially valuable because it brings together two books in one volume and includes so many illustrations. It's a book to be read and re-read, to be lingered over, to be shared with children and with friends.

For anyone who loves the Arthurian legends, this book is essential. It is one of the classic retellings, on a par with T.H. White's ''The Once and Future King'' or Malory's ''Le Morte d'Arthur.'' For those new to the stories, it's the perfect introduction. And for anyone who appreciates beautiful books, it's a delight.

Pyle's Arthur is a hero for all ages—brave, wise, and true. His knights are models of chivalry, his villains are suitably wicked, and his world is one of magic and wonder. This book is a gateway to that world, and it will enchant you as it has enchanted readers for over a century.

Highly recommended for all ages. A true classic.