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Title: Orlando Innamorato (World's Classics) by Matteo Maria Boiardo, Charles Stanley Ross ISBN: 0-19-282438-4 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: December, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: ----An impressive new edition of a neglected Classic----
Comment: Here's what C.S. Lewis wrote about the epic Italian romances of the Renaissance:
"Neglect of Italian romances robs us of a whole species of pleasure and narrows our very conception of literature. It is as if a man left out Homer, or Elizabethan drama, or the novel. For like these, the romantic epic of Italy is one of the great trophies of the European genius: a genuine kind, not to be replaced by any other, and illustrated by an extremely copious and brilliant production. It is one of the successes, the undisputed achievements."
Similarly, one of the undisputed achievements in the shamefully short history of translating these Italian romances into English is Ross' translation of Boiardo's "Orlando Innamorato." This translation was originally published (hardcover only) by the University of California Press in its Biblioteca Italiana series. Then, Oxford University Press published an abridged paperback version in its World's Classics series. Now, Parlor Press offers both a complete paperback and an e-book version. Note that the Parlor Press edition is an ***unabridged*** edition that incorporates the maps of the Oxford edition, as well as offering a newly revised and amended translation.
Readers in English are now, possibly for the first time in history, adequately equipped to read the major Italian epic romances in complete, readable, even admirable English translations. For Pulci's "Morgante," we have Tusiani's massive translation, generously offered by Indiana University Press as a handsome, unabridged paperback. For Boiardo's "Orlando Innamorato," we of course have this outstanding contribution from Ross (with a foreword by the master-translator of Dante himself, Allen Mandelbaum). For Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso," we have the choice of Waldman's eminently readable prose translation, in one volume in Oxford UP's World's Classics series, or Barbara Reynolds' popular two-volume verse translation in the Penguin Classics series. Finally, for Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered," we have Esolen's recent, critically acclaimed translation, published by Johns Hopkins UP.
I can only express my gratitude to these scholar-translators, whose indefatigable work in translating these Carolingian epics has given me access to a wonderfully rewarding, indisputably major piece of Western literature. I understand that Ross is currently working on a translation of Statius' epic poem "The Thebaid," to be published by Johns Hopkins, and that Esolen is contemplating undertaking a new translation of Camoes' "The Lusiads," which is quite possibly the most neglected ***major*** epic in Western literature. I look forward to both these editions, and again--thanks.
Rating: 4
Summary: Very good, full translation available in Fall 2003
Comment: Parlorpress.com is going to put out a new and full translation in the Fall of 2003. I like this abridged edition for my pocket version. I enjoyed starting from this book to see if the tales also had anything to do with Estensi/Ferarra history...and find it was written as a pleasant pastime for the recovering Duke Ercole...'read slowly on a sunny summer day in a room full of open windows...'
Charles Ross did wonderful research. I have seen commentary by C.S. Lewis on Boiardo and the epic tale and read Fortune and Romance essays edited by JoAnne Cavallo. But C.Ross is excellent for a short history of the time, as well.
For independent background on the D'Estensi (D'Este family) and interaction from Feltrino Boiardo (grandfather) to Matteo Maria, these texts are also good: Edmund Gardner's Dukes and Poets of Ferarra; Ferarra the Style of Renaissance Depotism by Werner L. Gundersheimer and Leon Battista Alberti: Master Builder by Anthony Grafton (not much in this title about Boiardo: I used it to confirm or reference related information on Ferarra).
The Boiardo information from Edmund Gardner's book is also still cited by literature scholars, from what I've seen.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Great Book
Comment: Orlando Innamorato is an absolutely beautiful story. It is in the same style as Orlando Furioso (by Ariosto), which is its sequel. We follow Charlemagne's paladins as they traverse the world, pagan and Christian, looking for adventure, fame, and especially love. The Saracen princess Angelica has captured the heart of the brave and chivalrous Orlando and he will do anything to earn her love. The only problem is that she remains uninterested. It also seems that nearly every knight in the Christian and Saracen world desires her too! The Christians and Muslims are almost constantly at war, so this is another obstacle in the way of poor, lovesick Orlando. With this premise, Boiardo narrates a story of epic proportions that is enchanting, funny, exciting, and always beautiful. He combines irony, allegory, romance, chivalry and much more to create a masterpiece. The stories contained are similar to the Arthurian legends, but are, in my opinion, livelier and more exciting. I agree with C.S. Lewis when he wrote: "Our oblivion of these poets (i.e. Boiardo and Ariosto) is much to be regretted...because it robs us of a whole species of pleasures and narrows our very conception of literature."
This edition is beautifully rendered into verse, but it is abridged. The complete poetic text of the story is not present. However, the translator always summarizes (in narrative form) those parts he leaves out. There is also a useful introduction and extremely helpful annotations that explain difficult passages in the story. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of Orlando Furioso or Pulci's Morgante.
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Title: Morgante: The Epic Adventures of Orlando and His Giant Friend Morgante (Indiana Masterpiece Editions) by Luigi Pulci, Joseph Tusiani, Edoardo A. Lebano ISBN: 0253214076 Publisher: Indiana University Press Pub. Date: November, 2000 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Orlando Furioso (Oxford World's Classics) by Ludovico Ariosto, Guido Waldman ISBN: 0192836773 Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: January, 1999 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Jerusalem Delivered: Gerusalemme Liberata by Torquato Tasso, Anthony M. Esolen ISBN: 0801863236 Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr Pub. Date: September, 2000 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1) by Christopher Paolini ISBN: 0375826688 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 26 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition) ASIN: B00009TB5G Publisher: New Line Home Video Pub. Date: 18 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $39.99 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $25.99 |
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