That scholarly, witty and enthusiastic medievalist, Mr. T.H. White, has produced a third fine book devoted to the Arthurian legends. Sir Lancelot of the Lake, the "Chevalier Mal Fet," is the central figure; and the darkly mystic, thwarted character which Mr. White finds him to be dominates the book. Hence "The Ill-Made Knight" is a more thoughtful, adult and subdued piece of writing than "The Sword in the Stone" or "The Witch in the Wood." It has its fits of farce and comedy—its irreverent poking of fun at some of the solemnities of the days of chivalry—but not the out-and-out joyful boisterousness of the earlier volumes. It does a fine inside job of its study of Lancelot and of the cycle of the Round Table's history, viewing them from the vantage of modern standards. "The Ill-Made Knight" is a better book than "The Witch in the Wood." It ranks with "The Sword in the Stone," but is a different sort of book, more mystical than magical, more a novel than a prime fairy story.
The tone here has something of the spirit of debunking. Mr. White (who has an intimate acquaintance with Malory) shows what he considers the true Lancelot, Arthur, Guenever and the others, without the romantic trappings of [Lord Tennyson's] heroes….
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