Rules for a Knight
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4.6 • 87 Ratings
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
An unforgettable fable about a father's journey and a timeless guide to life's many questions—from Ethan Hawke, four-time Academy Award nominee, twice for writing and twice for acting.
A knight, fearing he may not return from battle, writes a letter to his children in an attempt to leave a record of all he knows. In a series of ruminations on solitude, humility, forgiveness, honesty, courage, grace, pride, and patience, he draws on the ancient teachings of Eastern and Western philosophy, and on the great spiritual and political writings of our time. His intent: to give his children a compass for a journey they will have to make alone, a short guide to what gives life meaning and beauty.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Actor and author Hawke (Ash Wednesday) pens a heartwarming, medieval tale on ethics. Written in an epistolary form, Hawke writes from the perspective of his imagined ancestor Sir Thomas Lemuel Hawke, a knight who knows he is about to die in war. Sir Thomas teaches his children the 20 rules of knighthood, using examples from his own life to prove their validity. Each chapter begins with a drawing by Hawke's wife, Ryan, and a short aphorism. Sir Thomas states that "luck is the residue of design" to explain the importance of dedication. To explain courage, he asserts that "anything that gives light must endure burning." In addition to the more obvious notions one might instill in a child, Hawke touches upon subjects less-often addressed, such as speech, solitude, and death "in silence we can sense eternity sleeping inside us." Hawke's joust against injustice and fear is an easy and endearing read, perfect for young and old children alike.
Customer Reviews
Captivating
Funny and sad stories told by a Knight with incredible insight and advice on how to be a genuinely good person.
Great Book
I think the editors note is just straight up lying. There’s an interview where he states he made the story up to teach his kids house rules. I’m not sure where the contradiction lies but it just seems so weird to have two conflicting origins for it. But the guys a great writer for sure.
Wisdom
Wisdom from the ages.