/lit/ - Literature

>>7220030
Be brave! Go for it, anon! It's one of my favorite books, and it's one the high-water marks for all literature written in the English language. The "best" version available is the Norton Critical Edition, which is the unabridged Winchester manuscript. I warn you though, it's an extremely challenging read. I say that because of it's age. It's referred to as High Middle English or Late Middle English. By comparison, Shakespeare's works are Early Modern English, which came roughly 75 years or so after Malory's work. The dates are deliberately fuzzy on those terms and distinctions, but it's unimportant anyway.

So, you already know the story itself really well, whether you realize it or not, and that makes it much easier to puzzle yourself through the lingo. In my experience it took roughly 100 pages before my brain automatically began sorting it all out. It's a fucking beautiful book though, anon.

Actually, I strongly recommend reading John Steinbeck's introduction to his own version Le Morte D'Arthur. Not Steinbeck's whole book, mind you, just the introduction he wrote. He'll be a huge help in deciding which version/translation you'll most enjoy. Anyway, anon, it's without a doubt the most gorgeous and immersive story I've ever come across. Honestly, you'll fucking love it!

I think if you haven't spent time with Thomas Malory then you've really missed out. Le Morte D'Arthur is one of the most deeply enjoyable narratives in the English language. If you want chivalry, this is the book for you.

The Norton Critical Edition of the Winchester manuscript is the best one, IF, and only if, you ignore all the fucking footnotes. They only serve to fuck up and mangle the flow. Which is absurd, because this book is all about narrative flow. The language is archaic as shit, but fifty pages in your brain will have adjusted and you'll have no real problems. I know, I know, it's challenging, but it honestly is thoroughly enjoyable.

http://www.amazon.com/Morte-Darthur-Norton-Critical-Editions/dp/0393974642