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cosmozinho's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
just_peachy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
temegill's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Technically a DNF as I could not finish either "Pearl" nor "Sir Orfeo".
I was not taken by either.
So the 3 stars only hold for my review of "Sir Gawain and The Green Knight".
These were my thoughts directly after reading "Sir Gawain and The Green Knight"
Poetry is hard to read, and out of the long poems i have read, eugene onegin i would still say is the superior. More enjoyable to acutally read.
However, I think I would have more to say about The Green Knight.
I read it as an attack on chivalry, and a modern readin would suggest a critique on (toxic) masculainty. Not holding up these regressive, show-boating, "chivalrous" ideals, that are in truth shallow and false. But instead holding self account, wearing your mistakes with honour, embracing yourself and all your faults, humility, truth. Forgiveness. Mercy.
Striving for self-improvement not for an accepted norm or ideology, but doing so for you. So you can be more confident, yet humble, and kinder, and smarter, and better.
It is interesting how The Green Knight (the character) not only acts as an outside perspective, and the Green Chapel as THE outisde, of Arturian Chivalry. But also acts as nature itself. We see that nature opposes societal expectations. Or not necessarily opposes, but is removed from and judges this 'chivalry' and causes change to not just Sir Gawain but the whole court seemingly.
Overall pretty good, found it tought. Probably won't return to read the others.
I was not taken by either.
So the 3 stars only hold for my review of "Sir Gawain and The Green Knight".
These were my thoughts directly after reading "Sir Gawain and The Green Knight"
Poetry is hard to read, and out of the long poems i have read, eugene onegin i would still say is the superior. More enjoyable to acutally read.
However, I think I would have more to say about The Green Knight.
I read it as an attack on chivalry, and a modern readin would suggest a critique on (toxic) masculainty. Not holding up these regressive, show-boating, "chivalrous" ideals, that are in truth shallow and false. But instead holding self account, wearing your mistakes with honour, embracing yourself and all your faults, humility, truth. Forgiveness. Mercy.
Striving for self-improvement not for an accepted norm or ideology, but doing so for you. So you can be more confident, yet humble, and kinder, and smarter, and better.
It is interesting how The Green Knight (the character) not only acts as an outside perspective, and the Green Chapel as THE outisde, of Arturian Chivalry. But also acts as nature itself. We see that nature opposes societal expectations. Or not necessarily opposes, but is removed from and judges this 'chivalry' and causes change to not just Sir Gawain but the whole court seemingly.
Overall pretty good, found it tought. Probably won't return to read the others.
diabeticfox's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sonofstdavid's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely phenomenal work by both the original author and Tolkien's translation. The original author masterfully tells a driving narrative full of complex themes and compelling tension all in a story that is uniquely completely fae and completely Christian.
Translating a middle English work, I'm sure, is always a bit of a challenge, considering the fact that an English speaking audience can somewhat read the original. Yet Tolkien's loyalty to both the narrative and the original alliteration and poetry is marvelous to behold. During my read through I contrasted his translation with another and consistently preferred Tolkien.
Translating a middle English work, I'm sure, is always a bit of a challenge, considering the fact that an English speaking audience can somewhat read the original. Yet Tolkien's loyalty to both the narrative and the original alliteration and poetry is marvelous to behold. During my read through I contrasted his translation with another and consistently preferred Tolkien.
mdslattery's review against another edition
4.0
When they give you a book with multiple sections, the one on the cover is usually best
brigoldencopeland's review against another edition
5.0
I only read Pearl, and thought it was wonderful. Absolutely love Tolkien's translation and his ability to communicate the meaning with flowing rhyme, meter, and rhythm. Pearl tells of the loss of a dear child and the promise of eternal life with tenderness and grace, while keeping with spectacular language and probing theological issues.
adamskiboy528491's review against another edition
3.0
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the knight challenges Arthur's court to a game: any of the knights at the Round Table could strike the Green Knight one blow with an axe. In return, the knight must allow the Green Knight a similar blow in one year. Arthur's knights are hesitant to agree to such an obvious trap. In response, The Green Knight casts aspersions on their manhood and chivalry; at this point, Arthur himself steps up to take the challenge. Gawain, stating that he's much more expendable than the King and the most minor loss to the Round Table, does the noble thing and jumps up to take Arthur's place. I remember reading this poem in the challenge; it gave me some nostalgic vibes.
With elements of medieval allegory and dream vision genre, the poem of Pearl is written in a North-West Midlands variety of Middle English and highly—though not consistently—alliterative; there is a complex system of stanza linking and other stylistic features. The working of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in the poem Sir Orfeo was clever. While the Middle English language is tough to sit through and understand, it is still a unique language to admire.
With elements of medieval allegory and dream vision genre, the poem of Pearl is written in a North-West Midlands variety of Middle English and highly—though not consistently—alliterative; there is a complex system of stanza linking and other stylistic features. The working of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in the poem Sir Orfeo was clever. While the Middle English language is tough to sit through and understand, it is still a unique language to admire.
midnighterbae's review against another edition
4.0
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a wonderful alliterative chivalric romance mixed with some morality tale. Pearl is a tedious allegory with the occasional beautiful image. Orfeo is a short and sweet fairy tale that earns its happy ending.
firstorderpixie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced