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Rude Tales and Glorious: A Retelling of the Arthurian Tales
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207 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
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151 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Seare
2 books3 followersLesser-used pen name of the author Rodney Whitaker, who primarily wrote under the name Trevanian.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 3, 2012
This was a chance find in the local library when I was 14 - probably the best age to stumble across it. I'd started reading the Flashman series at the time and was convinced this was the same author. The real author, Rod Whitaker, seems to be a whole story of his own...
It's a bawdy, extremely humorous tale, but there's an intelligence that makes this book one of my all-time favourites. To me, the author's confidence in his own ability with the English language puts him in the same league as Douglas Adams or the Python guys. Or even the great George Macdonald Fraser.
It's not fine literature, but it's immensely entertaining.
Whitaker also wrote The Eiger Sanction and Shibumi (which was another great book), as well as many others. That he can write in such disparate genres more convincingly than most who devote their lives to just one of those genres, to me adds a bit of depth to what might, in other hands, have been nothing more than cheap titty humour.
This is quality titty humour.
I might also add: I've bought this book four times over the years since first reading it and it has disappeared every time, but I'm damned if I can entice anyone to steal the one Dan Brown book that I was given for Christmas by a distant relative five years ago.
On balance, this is the proof of a good story. It also reflects well on my friends and close relatives. At least they're discerning thieves.
It's a bawdy, extremely humorous tale, but there's an intelligence that makes this book one of my all-time favourites. To me, the author's confidence in his own ability with the English language puts him in the same league as Douglas Adams or the Python guys. Or even the great George Macdonald Fraser.
It's not fine literature, but it's immensely entertaining.
Whitaker also wrote The Eiger Sanction and Shibumi (which was another great book), as well as many others. That he can write in such disparate genres more convincingly than most who devote their lives to just one of those genres, to me adds a bit of depth to what might, in other hands, have been nothing more than cheap titty humour.
This is quality titty humour.
I might also add: I've bought this book four times over the years since first reading it and it has disappeared every time, but I'm damned if I can entice anyone to steal the one Dan Brown book that I was given for Christmas by a distant relative five years ago.
On balance, this is the proof of a good story. It also reflects well on my friends and close relatives. At least they're discerning thieves.
May 28, 2018
I thought I'd left my enjoyment of fart jokes somewhere in the final third of the previous century, but not, it seems, when Seare writes them. Rude, crude, erudite, childish and laugh-out-loud funny, it's a thoroughly enjoyable book. Or perhaps two thirds of a book, because the swiving, fuds and feats do get a bit predictable after a while, so I read the last part rather quickly.
Having been an avid reader of Trevanian when he was still writing, I kept an eye out for common points between those novels and this book. There is one, and one alone: in both Sanctions and in Shibumi (though not in The Main), much-pseudonymed Whitaker sets out to insult pretty much every nationality, class, occupation and world-view. What he does off-handedly as Trevanian, he does full-throatedly as Seare.
Rude of him, but the result is glorious.
Having been an avid reader of Trevanian when he was still writing, I kept an eye out for common points between those novels and this book. There is one, and one alone: in both Sanctions and in Shibumi (though not in The Main), much-pseudonymed Whitaker sets out to insult pretty much every nationality, class, occupation and world-view. What he does off-handedly as Trevanian, he does full-throatedly as Seare.
Rude of him, but the result is glorious.
February 17, 2011
Since high school one of my favorite authors has been Douglas Adams. It seems satire is what I really like best. And satire with humor is better still. So Nicholas Seare is now in my upper echelon.
I easily gave this book the whole five stars (not even wishing for the ability to give 4 1/2) as it kept me entertained the entire way through. The humor was bawdy and the satire pervasive, but that is evident by the title.
I am going to make my husband read it then loan the book to my sister. I would gift it to her, but it belongs to a co-worker that lent it to me. Thanks Latsy!
I easily gave this book the whole five stars (not even wishing for the ability to give 4 1/2) as it kept me entertained the entire way through. The humor was bawdy and the satire pervasive, but that is evident by the title.
I am going to make my husband read it then loan the book to my sister. I would gift it to her, but it belongs to a co-worker that lent it to me. Thanks Latsy!
October 7, 2008
Beyond Hilarious!
If you can read "The Feate of Sir Bohort" aloud to anyone without cracking up, you're not human.
Insane to think that this is also the author known as "Trevanian" who wrote the Eiger Sanction and other suspense novels under that name.
If you can read "The Feate of Sir Bohort" aloud to anyone without cracking up, you're not human.
Insane to think that this is also the author known as "Trevanian" who wrote the Eiger Sanction and other suspense novels under that name.
July 30, 2020
A parody of the Arthurian Legends, this book often had me laughing so hard I was gasping for air.
April 7, 2017
Bu kitabı Trevanian'ın yazdığına inanmıyorum. Adamın namını kullananan acemi ama uyanık biri yazmış olabilir
June 4, 2009
This crude send-up of the Arthurian legends was funny in an unsophisticated and earthy fashion. It made me laugh more than once, but ultimately it isn't as hilarious as it thinks it is. Too self-conscious by half.
February 2, 2010
A fantastically bawdy collection of Arthurian tales. I read this ages ago and it still sticks in my mind for such wonderful expressions like: "perfidious lickshit". It's not exactly a classic piece of literature, but it had me roaring with laughter.
June 6, 2010
Tales told over a winter's knight by two beggars who seek shelter in a castle in 14th century Wales. The sophomoric emphasis on bawdry considerably detracts from the pleasure one can derive from the author's juggling with the frametale devices.
September 19, 2018
Hilarious, and it kept me running to my dictionary to look up some of the archaic rude words!
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July 15, 2020I enjoyed this book so much I kept it around for 20+ years.
February 3, 2025
I had no idea what this book was going into it. I hoped it was actually a retelling of Arthur. It's not, though. Instead, it's a silly and ribald farce on the Middle Ages, written by Trevanian. The book is entertaining at first, but gradually the hyper-sexual humor loses its amusingness. Literally every page, if not every paragraph, contains some bawdy joke. After a while, the ubiquity of the sexual humor starts to seem compulsive on the author's part. Felt no compunction to finish it after a certain point.
January 11, 2022
This book is an utter delight for anyone who loves language. The masterful wordsmithery of Searle leaves you in awe. He had me laughing out loud nearly every page. When the knights of the Round Table are all discussing the grail and what they would do with it if they found it (none of them knowing exactly what a “grail” is but afraid to admit his ignorance), it is reminiscent of the best of Monty Python. Highly recommend this book!
June 14, 2025
I don't often give 5 stars, but, after all, the ratings are an indicator of how much you enjoyed a book, right? This is not great or powerful literature; it is hilarious and intelligent, and it is laugh out loud funny at times. Such a clever and funny book, and I enjoyed it immensely!
August 23, 2018
Daha fazla masal okuma isteği uyandırdı. Çok tatlı
August 23, 2019
Çok büyük hayal kırıklığı; Trevanian gibi muhteşem eserler vermiş büyük bir yazarın masturbasyonuna denk geldim.
April 10, 2022
Hilarious!
It is written in pseudo Old English in an almost Shakespearian style, with creative language eg.
"I shall kick thy fud so hard that all may wonder at the length of thy stride."
It is written in pseudo Old English in an almost Shakespearian style, with creative language eg.
"I shall kick thy fud so hard that all may wonder at the length of thy stride."
June 29, 2020
OK, roll your eyes, shake your head, deep sigh, and just accept that
Rude Tales and Glorious: A Retelling of the Arthurian Tales
, is a bawdy, irreverent, sexist, carnal, erotically suggestive and slapstick collection of thinly veiled sexual metaphors, told in that ol' world tongue, that are both offensive and profoundly politically incorrect. It is also one of the most humorous and delightful books in which one would never imagine could be so entertaining.
July 18, 2013
Laugh out loud hilarious! In my opinion one of the funniest books ever written. It's a terrible shame that it disappeared in a haze of litigation between Whittaker and his publishers.....read it! Especially if you love the english language!
June 9, 2016
I almost choked myself with laughter reading this book!! It is a retelling of the Arthurian Knights, and it is brilliant, saucy, and ridiculous!!
It is out of print, but available on Amazon, and if you like Douglas Adams, you just might be a fan of this!
It is out of print, but available on Amazon, and if you like Douglas Adams, you just might be a fan of this!
September 19, 2008
Doubtless hard to find, but so worth it if you can. If the writing doesn't have you peeing in your pants, the illustrations will. Absolutely laugh-out-loud funny!
October 21, 2008
I really loved this satire. Recommended reading (for adults only).
November 25, 2009
Great fun
October 26, 2011
Crude, lewd, and yes rude...and even a little glorious. This book is filled with colorful language and even more colorful characters. I was laughing the entire way through.
July 9, 2018
Fantastic.
December 15, 2013
One of the best books I have ever read. Rude, crude and absolutely hilariously lewd... One of the funniest books ever!
August 11, 2015
Totally hilarious--bawdy and bold commentary on human nature!
July 9, 2016
This is a humorous book for anyone who enjoys Monty Python. Also, it is more entertaining for those who have read the tales of Arthur and his Knights.
September 30, 2016
Kind of like Canterbury Tales but a little Arthurian. Quite hilarious.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews