In the midst of the recent heatwave, I went to Brookline Booksmith to hear Lev Grossman talk about his new book, The Bright Sword. Sorry for not inviting you, but it was sold out.

The Bright Sword is the latest addition to the Arthurian canon. In preparation for its release, I should have read the Mists of Avalon, or the Once and Future King, or even the Crystal Cave. Instead, I rewatched Disney’s A Sword in the Stone. Have you seen it recently? It does not, I’m afraid to report, hold up. The entire movie is essentially an Animagus song-and-dance routine. Only in the last two minutes of the movie does anything of consequence happen (namely, the titular event). I do not think it did anything to prepare me for a nearly 700 page book.

I also listened to the 2023 Broadway cast recording of Camelot, but I’ve been doing that for much the past year. It is a delightful recording. The cast is perfection (especially Tony-winner Andrew Burnap, or Andy B, as he is affectionately referred to by no one but me). The orchestra is lush. Even the cover art is nice. Does it teach you much about the Arthurian legend? That would require a long response, but in short, there’s simply not a more congenial spot for happily-ever-after-ing than here in Camelot.

I’ve met Lev Grossman a few times. The first was in 2014 for the launch of The Magician’s Land, the final book in the Magicians trilogy and a #1 New York Times bestseller. The books went on to be made into a five-season TV show. Despite his fame and success, he continues to be unfailingly charming, funny, and gracious with fans. Despite the last book having come out a decade ago, he still answers questions about the trilogy. What a nice guy. The paperbacks of the trilogy recently were re-released with gorgeous new covers. Sometimes good things happen to good people.

To my delight, during his talk, Lev Grossman referenced the 2023 Broadway revival of Camelot (and Aaron Sorkin’s revision of the book). I saw it twice (including closing night), so I was excited to talk to him about it when I went up to get my book signed.

The signing line moved slowly, so I had lots of time to ponder what witty, insightful comment I would make about the show, to demonstrate that I, too, was a serious Arthurian scholar, despite my lack of preparation. In my defense, it only took him the better part of a decade to write the book. He’s been talking about it publicly for many years. It’s not as if I had ample time to do background reading. But hey, I saw the show. I saw it twice. I was ready.

Dearest gentle reader, Lev Grossman never saw the 2023 Broadway revival of Camelot.

Please don’t tell Andy B.