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Title: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A Verse Translation (Oxford World's Classics) by Keith Harrison, Helen Cooper, Keith Harris ISBN: 0192833340 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.75
Rating: 5
Summary: gawain comes alive
Comment: Over the years I've read versions of this poem by numerous people: Brian Stone (the best before this), Tolkien, Raffael, Silverstein, and the archaic and almost unreadable version by Marie Boroff, and more. This is by far and away the best I've come across so far. For one thing, it's astonishingly accurate. Second, it's in a highhly crafted and subtly alliterated modern English. It SOUNDS like someone telling a story not putting on a literary manner and trying to sound important. I despaired of ever being able to introduce my students in reading groups to a convincing translation of this marvelous tale, and here it is. I listened to this version on Public Radio years ago and was captivated. Now I have the book and will delight in sharing the story with my students with a confidence I never had in any of the other translations. Fine introduction too - by the author and by Helen Cooper. Very highly recommended.
Rating: 4
Summary: ...
Comment: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was an interesting book to read. The imagery of nature throughout the book played an important role in Gawain's quest. There was also more focus on Gawain's struggle between being a man and a romantic hero than in other tales. His inner conflict came out in little actions and words and Harrison really tries to let the reader see the emotional conflict while Gawain is searching for the Green Knight. The twisted ending also makes the book appealing because it is unlike most Arthurian literature which directly glorifies the knight. In comparison to other Arthuirian literature, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight praises Gawain in the end not only for his combative skills but also for his beliefs and strong dedication to honor and faith. He comes out a hero not only because he accepts a quest but also because of his beliefs after he fails in his faith.
Arthurian literature is laced with double meanings and allegories, especially in The Green Knight. It's a great representation of what medieval literature focued on and the basis of great knights. In comparison to Wace's Roman de Brut, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a much better read. :)
Rating: 5
Summary: A classic worthy of the name
Comment: Many would-be readers are put-off by the word "classic," inferring that anything tagged with that label is necessarily dry, inaccessible, and out-of-touch. Sadly, they're often right. But the immortal tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one book from Oxford World's Classics no fan of Arthurian literature can afford to miss. You want it, it's here: action and romance, mystery and suspense, a heroic quest and a seemingly diabolic villain, and some of the most beautiful word-play ever put to paper, all wonderfully rendered in a fine easy-to-grasp translation by Keith Harrison.
Readers expecting the same Gawain from Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur may be in for a bit of shock. The titular hero of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is far more valiant than later writers chose to present him. Indeed, even the mighty Lancelot pales next to Gawain here. When the inscrutable Green Knight thunders into Camelot to challenge the King, none but Gawain dares step forward to accept the challenge on Arthur's behalf. It's clear that in the eys of this poem's author, Gawain--not Lancelot--was chivalry's greatest champion.
Though a story told in verse, Harrison's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is actually easier reading than any edition of Malory I've seen, while the strong introduction and explanatory notes take care of most of the trouble spots. Acccessibility was clearly a major priority.
Like all the best stories, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is never the same twice. I first encountered this timeless tale years ago in college, but reading Harrison's edition was a whole new experience. The poem is full of symbolism and raises many questions about the nature of chivalry, heroism, courtesy, sin, success, failure, and duty--someof which the poet leaves to the reader to answer for himself.
For those of you who haven't read this poem for a while, Harrison's translation is a great way to get reacquainted with an old friend. And to those who have never read it, fearful of yet another barren "classic," give it a shot. It's definitely worth it.
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Title: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Sir Orfeo by J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien ISBN: 0345277600 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 1988 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: MAXnotes for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (MAXnotes) by Research and Education Association Staff, Boria Sax, Research & Education Association ISBN: 0878910441 Publisher: Research & Education Assn Pub. Date: 1996 List Price(USD): $3.95 |
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Title: Arthurian Romances (Penguin Classics) by Chretien De Troyes, William W. Kibler, Chretien de Troyes, Carleton W. Carroll ISBN: 0140445218 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 1991 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Lewis Thorpe, Thrope Lewis ISBN: 0140441700 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 1977 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf ISBN: 0156787334 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 1989 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
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