This is a book that, in spite of its tragic subject matter, was so good it felt as if real events were being described and that the truths uncovered were the cornerstones of reality. There is no way there could have been this level of detail without the author channeling the actual goings on of Wart, Jenny, and the Ill-Made Knight. I regret I have not read this book earlier, so I may have read it a few times more by now. The writing was so deft and fine. I loved it.
This man was an amazing, amazing writer. When I read his biography, I felt so badly for him, I wished I could take him home and make tea and cookies for him, and tell him what a wonderful, wonderful person he was. He was truly a miserable human being – and he wrote a story of extraordinary light and grace. I will read more by him, including the last story of Merlin, (which I did in fact order and read). In that next book it Merlin sagely reminds Arthur, “After all, we are the Matter of Britain.”
Lessons learned: Your characters are real people. Show it by knowing their innermost and smallest details.
The Once and Future King by T.H. White