Status
Available
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Collection
Publication
William B. Eerdmans Publishing (1974), Edition: First Edition, 384 pages
Description
Arthurian torso contains the posthumous fragment of Williams' The figure of Arthur and a commentary on his Arthurian poems by C. S. Lewis. Reprint of 3 separate works first published 1938, 1944, and 1948, respectively, by Oxford University Press, New York. Includes bibliographical references.
User reviews
LibraryThing member dulac3
This, for me at least, is difficult poetry. Without the accompanying explication penned by C. S. Lewis I would have been pretty lost. Having said that, I think these volumes of poetry are amazing, and may be the greatest poetic version of the Matter of Britain from the 20th century (I'd argue that
I am nowwhere near expert enough to go into any great detail here, especially since it's been several years since I last read these poems, but I would strongly urge anyone with an interest in either the Arthurian myths or the body of work of the Inklings to give this volume a try. It has the potential to be a real eye-opener.
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Clemence Housman's _The Life of Sir Aglovale de Galis_ is the greatest prose version of that century). Williams, ironically best known as the least famous of the "big three" of the Inklings (the other two being J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis), is more well-known for his 'theological thrillers' and life as a somewhat strange Christian guru, but I think his most important literary work was done in these poems. Following the rise and fall of Arthur's kingdom, as penned by the bard Taliessin, we see Williams commenting not only on the mythical king's realm, but on issues as wide ranging as politics, economics, morality and, of course, theology.I am nowwhere near expert enough to go into any great detail here, especially since it's been several years since I last read these poems, but I would strongly urge anyone with an interest in either the Arthurian myths or the body of work of the Inklings to give this volume a try. It has the potential to be a real eye-opener.
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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
Charles Williams was a difficult poet, and his Arthurian Works are no exception. But they are also enchanting to me, and a very illuminating when considering the effect of the Arthurian Corpus upon the world of the Inklings, JRR Tolkien's peer group. This work since it includes the addition of the
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C.S. Lewis essay, should be in most libraries. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1938
Physical description
384 p.
ISBN
0802815782 / 9780802815781
Local notes
Williams' two cycles of Arthurian poetry, bound with Lewis' helpful interpretation.
Charles Williams was a strange, visionary writer with an idiomatic occult/Christian spirituality, and the lesser-known member of the Inklings.
Charles Williams was a strange, visionary writer with an idiomatic occult/Christian spirituality, and the lesser-known member of the Inklings.