Just Couldn’t Finish Reading: Camelot and the Vision of Albion by Geoffrey Ashe (FP: 1971) [220pp] 

It seems that whilst growing up in England you absorb the legends and myths surround King Arthur simply by breathing in the air. Even without doing TOO much research I came probably name most of the characters and most of the highlights off the top of my head. I actually picked this book up decades ago (long after its publication date though!) and have, finally, gotten around to reading it. Unfortunately, it really wasn’t what I was looking for. 

The author was well placed to discuss all things Arthurian – and I do mean ALL (which was the main issue I had here) - having been the editor of a book on the subject with contributions of eminent scholars and being involved in the archaeological dig at Cadbury Hill fort where Arthur (the real one) apparently had his headquarters. So, things started out pretty well... 

The author made some interesting observations about the ancient origins of the Arthur legend – going back to Ancient Greece no less – which I kind of went along with (for the most part) but I think he hit his sweet spot with the discussion of the REAL Arthur in the 5th Century and the evidence for his existence and where exactly some of the storied locations might have actually happened. Unfortunately, after this, things got a little.... weird. Not only did the author bring in the Vikings, which seemed reasonable, there were diversions into early British Christianity and then into the Russian Revolution, Zionism and Ghandi.... So, weird...  

Although SOME of what he said was interesting – from a general standpoint – the problem I had was the authors growing lack of focus on the subject at hand: Arthur and the legend that surrounded him. More discussion on how the legend arose (there was some of that here but nowhere near enough) as well as how it changed over time to suit changing times (ditto) without the distractions from other parts of the world would have helped a LOT here. But much to my annoyance such an investigation was largely absent. 

No doubt there are much better books out there on Arthur and his Round Table etc.. I do have one more (much more modern and substantial – at least on page count) which I’ll see to include this year but, for the time being, I might see if I can schedule in some of my fiction/fantasy Arthurian reads. Regrettably not recommended.