Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Had the joy of listening to novelist Robin Sloane read this aloud over a 2 hour session. Absolutely gorgeous language. So many beautiful passages. I would highly recommend that you read this out loud instead of just silently as it completely changes the experience. ( )

I enjoyed this translation from Middle English of the great poem of Sir Gawain and his encounters with the Green Knight. The story feel epic, with bits of love, deceit, horror and wanderings.

I wish I could give a 4-star review, but the translation was lacking at points. At times, I felt the translator, Armitage chose lesser words to keep the poetic meter flowing. For example, from line 2273, the original Middle English was "Such cowardise of that knyght cowthe I never here." Armitage translates it as "Never have I known such a namby-pamby knight". The first flows, in my opinion, while the second seems like a schoolyard taunt, and a poor one at that.

I also felt the flow of the poem stuttered at points. That may have been due to the original author in some cases, as far as I could "speak" Middle English to hear the flow.

This is still worth reading, especially if you've never read it. The story is good and you can work through it quickly. For a look at a great translation of another classic, see Seamus Heaney's translation of Beowolf from Old English into modern prose. That and Robert Fagles translations of Homer set the gold standard for rendering in modern, flowing text such ancient classics. ( )

The last time I read this book, it was Simon Armitage’s translation. I’d said at the time I wanted to give that version four stars but the translation just wasn’t that great for me. It didn’t flow and there were some poor word choices.

Now, finally, I can give four stars to W S. Merwin’s version. This is how Gawain should read. A fast story with flowing language that doesn’t get in the way of the tale. I read this in one sitting and took time to glance at the Middle English on each facing page. A perfect companion for the evening. ( )

Not going to lie my rating is probably very biased as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has always been my favorite of the Arthurian Tales, but I really did like this particular translation.

I feel this translation really sticks to the idea that Sir Gawain is an honest knight. I also wasn’t as annoyed by the Lady of the court who “pursued” Gawain, some variations really lay that on heavy and this version didn’t do that.

Even up to the end Gawain is not happy with his actions and I have always admired that about him, and I think that’s why I love his tale so much.

I will say with this particular version, I love that the original Middle English was included side by side to the modern translated version of English today. It makes more of an eye opening experience into how each line was written. Some lines are easy to read and one who isn’t trained in Middle English could for the most part understand it, while other lines look so unreal and some training is clearly needed, haha. I truly enjoyed that little bit. ( )

I would never have picked this up if it were not for a project, but I am glad I did. This medieval poem epic is truly that - epic. I was engaged in the story and there was even a twist that had be gasp audibly. This is the only translation I've read, but I really loved how Simon Armitage infused a little bit of modernity into the work. All in all, a fun read! ( )