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cj82487's review
4.0
The all too often forgotten epic poem. The action and characters are far more enjoyable than those found in Beowulf.
emjasmine's review against another edition
Didn't have time to finish but would like to go back to!
kryptik's review
4.0
If you can make it past Spenser's somewhat out of date writing (finished the 6 books of the Faery Queen by 1596), and also make it past his spelling, which was written with the intention of looking old even for its 16th century publication and seems to modern readers just plain old mean, then you may finally get to the heart of reading Spenser, which is to say you will be faced with a contradiction: you will simultaneously be happy as hell Spenser never managed to complete the other 18 books in what was originally supposed to be a 24 book series, and terribly upset that the world never bore witness to the remainder of that infinitely (self) referential work, to the progeny of a master-weaver of tales. Having only 6 books of the Faery Queen (and a little more, from the Cantos on Mutability), one can only begin to imagine the beauty the remaining 18 would have held.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. It is long, it is exhausting, and it requires an active mind to really get a worthwhile reading. But if you can step up to the challenge, the tales of knights and ladies, wizards and gods, beasts, and one possibly autistic robot of justice may come alive, and enchant you like few other tales can.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. It is long, it is exhausting, and it requires an active mind to really get a worthwhile reading. But if you can step up to the challenge, the tales of knights and ladies, wizards and gods, beasts, and one possibly autistic robot of justice may come alive, and enchant you like few other tales can.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review
5.0
This is the beginning of all the cool books that are being published today IMO. There are fairies, morality lessons, bad characters pretending to be good, a quest, love - it has it all!
thesaltiestlibrarian's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ruthlessly's review
this isn't a proper read, i've only read 2.5 books, but I just want it off my currently read SORRY I'M LYING GOODREADS BUT I DON'T CARE.
juanlam's review
5.0
Beautiful poetry and lots to think about! It was a pleasure reading through this in my class. Mostly, I'm interested in how immersive and expansive Spenser's private world, his own mythology is. It's beautiful, and a predecessor to Tolkien's Legendarium, or the Marvel Cinematic Universe of today
bwood95's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gnomeyjo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25