The tetralogy “The Once and Future King” by the English writer Terence Hanbury White (1906-1964) is one of the most famous and unusual books in the “fantasy” genre, along with J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic “The Lord of the Rings” and the trilogy “ Gormenghast" by Mervyn Peake. Recreated on the basis of British legends and myths, the story of the “once and future king” Arthur, his teacher, the wizard Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table is an amazing combination of a fantastic fairy tale and real history, humor and tragedy.