I just added The Once and Future King to my Best Novels List, slotting it into Tier 3 – Especially Excellent. (Technically it’s a 5-book series, but I listed it as one item anyways.)
I loved Merlin’s humourous, playful philosophy; Arthur’s sincerity and determination; Lancelot’s courage and tragedy.
The book is especially effective when it’s read with the awareness that it was written in the middle of World War II, what with King Arthur’s efforts to do away with “might is right” and Merlin’s work to explore the meaning of war.
I actually “read” the book as an audiobook through Audible, and the reader was excellent. I highly recommend it.