Peter Ackroyd's The Death of King Arthur retells the Arthurian legend's tragic conclusion, following Arthur's final battles, Lancelot and Guinevere's affair, and the fall of Camelot. Through Ackroyd's accessible prose adapting medieval sources, the story explores loyalty, betrayal, and the end of an ideal. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition becomes both introduction to Arthurian legend and beautifully designed object, proving that Arthur's story remains powerful and that some legends never die.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Ackroyd makes the Arthurian legend accessible without losing its power, showing why Arthur's tragedy has endured for centuries. This deluxe edition reminds us that Lancelot and Guinevere's love destroys Camelot, that Mordred is the ultimate betrayer, and that Arthur's death is literature's most famous maybe-ending.

DETAILS: • Author: Peter Ackroyd (retelling) • Publisher: Penguin Classics • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: October 30, 2012 • ISBN: 9780143106953 • Edition: Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days