An Introduction to British Arthurian Narrative - (New Perspectives on Medieval Literature: Authors and Traditi) by Susan Aronstein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"An insightful study of the British origins of the Arthurian tale."--Choice

"The author's careful historical contextualizing of her many texts (starting with a helpful Chronology at the beginning of the book) creates a persuasive thread of continuity from pre-Conquest Arthurian 'history' through to Thomas Malory's late-medieval summa Arthurianica. . . . [A] reader new to this literary tradition is certain to enjoy, and learn much from, Susan Aronstein's overview."--Arthuriana

"[A] broad yet compact overview of important works of medieval literature. . . . [A] very useful survey of the British Arthurian tradition that many teachers of introductory courses will want to include in their reading lists."--Comitatus

"A must-have for all those interested in King Arthur--from the amateur enthusiast to the established scholar."--Dorsey Armstrong, Purdue University

Examining a broad range of romances, histories, and parodies written during the medieval period, Susan Aronstein traces Arthur's transformation from a "leader of battles" in early histories to a powerful chieftain in Welsh tales, and finally, into England's "once and future king."

About the Author

Susan Aronstein, professor of English at the University of Wyoming, is the author of Hollywood Knights: Arthurian Cinema and the Politics of Nostalgia.