Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
The Suessian sibilance of Simon Armitage's translation of Sir Gawain is liminally loyal to the Pearl Poet's lines, but the strangeness of the story sings clear, silencing my secret suspicions of these vivacious verses. It is a festive story, a yuletide yarn yielding nary a yawn. Entranced translators have fallen prey to this poem for eons, producing a plethora of choice renderings -- Tolkien, Gardner, Merwin -- not mention plays, operas, and not a few cartoons. While Armitage's alliteration is only a little annoying, in fact infectious, it seems suitably seasonal. Maybe not so much in mid-summer.
So what is the draw? Is it the verse or the subtle sexual vexation of the Green Knight's vixen? Or is it the mystery of a quest concluding in an unclear conquest, the acquiescence of the heroic to a forgiven flaw?
So what is the draw? Is it the verse or the subtle sexual vexation of the Green Knight's vixen? Or is it the mystery of a quest concluding in an unclear conquest, the acquiescence of the heroic to a forgiven flaw?
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
I've never read anything like this before, and I can't wait to read more. Something about this poem stood out to me on the shelf, and I just had to read it. Medieval knights, chivalry, and honor - what more could a girl ask for!
I recently ordered the version of this translation done by Tolkien in the mean time I thought I would have a listen to this one and perhaps make a comparison. Seems this work is done in two parts first presented in my kind of good ole English and then it's done in perhaps Old English. I really enjoyed the first version which of course I understood perfectly but the second I could pick out a few words bit not many. Who so ever plans on doing some time traveling, may I suggest a course on Old English, maybe the 5th century. All kidding aside I really enjoyed the story King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and a Christmas visitor who is pretty much green all over and his tempting challenge to one of the king's Knights. I look forward to Tolkien's comparison,
3rd time reading this and I'm gonna lose it if I have to read it a 4th time
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lolz for kicking the green knight's head while it bounces - a lovely translation, adore the alliteration
adventurous