Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
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4.0 • 276 Ratings
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Publisher Description
An Apple Books Classic edition.
The author of this epic poem remains a mystery, but the original manuscript dates back to the 14th century. In this translation, J. R. R. Tolkien of Lord of the Rings fame brings this Arthurian tale to life for contemporary readers. (A movie adaptation, starring Dev Patel, has also broadened the story’s audience.)
The story begins as the Knights of the Round Table gather for a Yuletide celebration. The festivities are interrupted when a strange knight—clad in green from head to foot—rides his horse straight into the chamber. The Green Knight challenges Arthur’s knights to slay him—but with a catch. Whoever cuts off the Green Knight’s head must allow him to return the favor in one year. Most members of the Round Table demur, but King Arthur’s nephew, Gawain, accepts the challenge. Moments later, the Green Knight carries away his own severed head, and the story follows young Gawain as he sets out on a fateful adventure full of danger, magic, temptation, and seduction. See for yourself why this ancient poem is considered a timeless classic—with a surprising moral.
Customer Reviews
Unique
Written like a poem, a very well written story, Sir Gawain, a knight serving on King Arthur’s round table, and his fame of virtue and honor.
Ancient Poetry
Epic poems have a wall of pretense between them and would be readers, but Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is as approachable as they come.
Telling a simple story of chivalry in the face of danger, the joy of Green Knight lies in its poetry (especially when read aloud) it’s context, and it’s readability. Though it won’t blow your socks off, or set you to reading other old texts, it did keep me engaged and guessing as to the tales moral.
It’s also fairly short, and unlike some other ancient works, it comes with a lot of the detail and character work we’ve grown accustomed to as modern readers.
Medieval Tale
The language is somewhat hard to understand. It is an interesting story.