Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory: Two Volumes Complete (Unexpurgated Edition) (Halcyon Classics) [Kindle Edition]

I have been currently watching Camelot - Season 1 [DVD] on tv, and I thought it was about time I reacquainted myslef with Malory's story. I should point out that there is no active table of contents as such here, but you can click to either volume; there is also an introduction here as well.

This is the Caxton edition, and not the Winchester edition, which was found in 1934, and believed to be more how Malory had intended it to be finished. The Caxton edition is the one though that has inspired other authors, painters and poets throughout the ages. Although written quite archaically for today's world, this is still relevatively easy to read, and also for those who read whilst commuting, the chapters are quite short which can be something of a boon.

If you are not familiar with the whole tale then there is something that I should point out. This isn't a novel as how one would think it. Malory did invent some of the tales, and did give this some continuity, but ultimately this is a compilation of English, and of course French Arthurian romances that make up the whole tale. If you want to read how Arthur was born, his love for Guinevere, and the love triangle between them and Lancelot, and the rest of the legend, then this is a book that will keep you entertained. However during the time these tales were written there was a concentration on fighting, tourneys and fashion, food, etc., so this can get repetitive in places.

This was popular when Caxton first published this, and has always remained so, mainly because it is ultimately an entertaining read, and has a bit of everything in it. If you only decide to ever read one Arthurian romance, then you can't really go wrong with this.

If you can read Middle English, this is the perfect (and first) book that recounts the Arthurian legend. You get a real eel for the period and it's wonderful to read about these british islands and their multitude of little kingdoms before the rot set it.