Book excerpt: In recent years there has been a vigorous controversy in Britain and the U.S.A. over the structure of Malory's so-called "Morte Darthur" -- is it one book or eight? In this study the author examines the main issues of the controversy and discusses the validity of the arguments. There seem to be good points made on both sides and this is because the Arthuriad is structually various in nature; it cannot be forced into one uniform structural mould or another, as previous commentators have tried to do.