dandj's Full Review: Tania Zamorsky, Arthur (AFT) Pober, Howard Pyle - ...
King Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table. So many stories have been written featuring these legendary characters, including ones penned by brilliant turn-of-the-century author Howard Pyle. It is his book, The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, that Sterling Publishing Company has added to its Classic Starts line.
Classic Starts are books retold, in abridged format, by a variety of authors in a way that makes them feel approachable to today's youth. They are meant to convey the essence of what turned the originals into classics, but are written in an easy-to-read and understand format. Also, they tend to leave out anything that might seem harsh to sensitive readers/listeners.
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, as told first by Howard Pyle and now by Tania Zamorsky, is a sort of anthology. First, we learn of how Arthur became adopted, neither he nor his family knowing of his true identity as son of King Uther-Pendragon. The parts and chapters then go on to discuss the familiar tales of him pulling the sword from the anvil, coming into possession of Excalibur, and winning the hand of the Lady Guinevere.
The next section is called "The Three Worthies." Here we are again presented with three parts, each divided into chapters. This time, though, the stories told are those of the men closest to King Arthur . . . Merlin, Sir Pellias, and Sir Gawaine. We are given accounts of what their individual "ever afters" entailed . . . not all of which were happy.
The most notable difference I noticed right away was the style of writing. Zamorsky has definitely simplified it. Rather than today's young readers having to sort through "thous," "shalts," and verbs ending in "eth," they're able to get right to the point. And yet, that "dumbing down," so to speak, is what bothers me more about this book than the other Classic Starts that I've read. It's that early language that makes the original text so beautiful to me. In a day and age that's so involved with oversimplification, it's a refreshing change to introduce something to my children that contains the eloquence of the past. And quite honestly, when Howard Pyle began writing and illustrating this book in 1902, publishing it in 1903, it was as a children's book.
The illustrations by Dan Andreasen, a repeat Classic Starts illustrator, are not as detailed, nor as prominent, as those done by Howard Pyle. They aren't bad, per se, just not what one would expect for a King Arthur story. There's a time when being minimalist isn't what's called for.
As with all of the books, there is a group of questions at the end that invite discussion without fear of giving a wrong answer. In addition, the exact same Afterword by Dr. Arthur Pober can once again be found here.
What it all boils down to is that the story that Pyle had to tell is here in this version, but the beauty of his prose is not. This is a version that some will find to be a perfect introduction. It is, without a doubt, a good book, and it's up to the parents or caregivers to decide whether it's the one for their child(ren). One thing is for sure, you cannot argue with the positive aspect of the price. The books in this series all have gorgeously illustrated hard covers with a price of only $4.95. Nothing to complain about there. It makes building a beginner's classic library easy and affordable.
Note: This review has been submitted as a part of the FightIlliteracy Write-Off hosted by two amazing epinions members - hadassahchana and dramastef. Please join the fight.
From the sword in the stone and the founding of Camelot to the famed Round Table and the Lake of Enchantment, the legend of King Arthur will never los...More at HotBookSale
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