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wpsreaders 's review for:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
by Anonymous
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by J.R.R Tolkien is a glorious, mystical, and awe-inspiring work of fiction which takes place in Arthurian legend. In the halls of King Arthur, the young Sir Gawain of Camelot accepts a challenge from a mysterious knight donned in green. However, their duel is left unfinished as the unsuccessful green knight manages to escape. Urged to honor and finish their duel, Gawain sets out to seek the knight’s whereabouts. On his journey, more than just his swordsmanship gets tested, as he chases not only the green knight, but also his own chivalry, honor, and name at the round table.
In my opinion, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of Tolkien’s hidden gems. It’s slow, methodical, and packed with the perfect amount of fantasy. It explores themes of valor, dignity, courage, and the internal struggle between personal desire and moral duty. I really enjoyed how every page had its own unexpected twist or turn, especially during the ending. It’s the type of book that always had me guessing, and I really appreciate that about it. During my read, I found the poetic style and old speech of the story suits it quite well. I’ve heard some people say that the book’s detailed alliterative verse is difficult to follow along with, but on the contrary, I found it quite easy. The only thing that I found disappointing was the lack of character connection. Throughout the story, I never really got to know who Sir Gawain was. While this choice was probably intentional, due to the story’s archaic style, I would’ve further enjoyed the book if I had gotten to know more about his personal life, desires, flaws, and ECT. Overall, this story was fascinating, timeless, and a pleasant surprise considering that Tolkien never chose to officially release it himself. While it certainly isn’t for everyone, if you’re a fan of Tolkien’s work, or the mid-evil genre in general, you should definitely grab a copy.