Customer Reviews

Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (Oxford World's Classics)

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4 star:		(7)
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2 star:		(1)
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This version of "Sir Gawain" must be one of the best around. Keith Harrison translates into modern English a fascinating poem of challenge, witchcraft, temptation, and courage, composed in a mix of alliterative-epic verse with the "bob-and-wheel" that closes each stanza. The introduction explains all these terms, plus others, in case the reader is not familiarized with them. The translator has kept the rhythmic cadence of the bob and wheel, while the alliterative part is correspondingly "epic," dealing with the serious subject at hand. The explanatory notes are helpful, although here, as in the entire Oxford Classics Collection, numbered footnotes would have been better than the not-numbered endnotes we get.

The story of "Sir Gawain" lends itself to several interpretations, since under the apparently simple surface of a challenge to King Arthur's Court and the ensuing adventure of Gawain, there are other plots, different points of view, and a very modern juxtaposition of perspectives that other poems, such as "Havelock" or Marie de France's "Lais" simply do not have. A mysterious Green Knight challenges King Arthur's Knights to a bizarre contest. Gawain answers, and from then on nothing is what appears to be: a decapitated man will live to restore his head to his body, Gawain will go looking for the Green Knight's abode and find a castle where the owner will offer a little challenge of his own, while the owner's wife does her best to seduce Gawain. The descriptions of the hunts are vivid and violent. The descriptions of the bedroom scenes between Gawain and the lady of the house are playful but menacing at the same time. Almost everything is explained when Gawain realizes that he is not such a perfect model of Knighthood as he thought, and when both he and the reader can see that the true contest has taken place far from battle axes, hunts, and bloody hounds killing their prey. What does not get an explanation, though, is Gawain's extreme condemnation of himself while he absolutely ignores the witchcraft used to trick him, his host's false pretenses, the lady's hypocrisy, and the good ol' joke they have played at his expense. "Sir Gawain" could have used a different ending, and not Gawain eternally sad because he finds out that he is human after all, but what we get here is very good. This English medieval romance delivers quite a lot. Read it and enjoy.

This book is probably one of the best out there to dive into the world or Arthurian Romances. Harrison's translation is easy to understand, and provides helpful endnotes for much of the historical context. The plot is exciting, and the story progresses smoothly. Although the introduction by Helen Cooper is very informative about the author and subject of the novel, it also provides interpretations of the story itself. I would recommend that those who are unfamiliar with the story to take Cooper's advice and not read it, for it will give away much of the plot, which is rather intricate.
The novel starts out in King Arthur's court, around Christmas time. An unusual visitor arrives, in the form of a giant knight, who as the title implies, is green. He makes a challenge that is met by Sir Gawain, the king's nephew. After a short display, he finds out that he will ultimately have to confront the knight a year later to receive his deathblow. Thus, the story begins, as Gawain sets out on his voyage, to not only find the Green Knight, but also the hero in himself.
Although not too long, the text is very rich. It is full of subliminal messages, which create plots of their own. However, it can still be enjoyed even when taken literally, thanks to the clear writing of Harrison, and to the imagination of the original author.
At less than ten dollars, the book is an excellent value. Although a casual reader would get enjoyment from one reading, further readings would almost certainly bring out new themes and revelations to those more familiar with Arthurian romances, making this a must for any Arthurian enthusiast.

Many would-be readers are put-off by the word "classic," inferring that anything tagged with that label is necessarily dry, inaccessible, and out-of-touch. Sadly, they're often right. But the immortal tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one book from Oxford World's Classics no fan of Arthurian literature can afford to miss. You want it, it's here: action and romance, mystery and suspense, a heroic quest and a seemingly diabolic villain, and some of the most beautiful word-play ever put to paper, all wonderfully rendered in a fine easy-to-grasp translation by Keith Harrison.

Readers expecting the same Gawain from Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur may be in for a bit of shock. The titular hero of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is far more valiant than later writers chose to present him. Indeed, even the mighty Lancelot pales next to Gawain here. When the inscrutable Green Knight thunders into Camelot to challenge the King, none but Gawain dares step forward to accept the challenge on Arthur's behalf. It's clear that in the eys of this poem's author, Gawain--not Lancelot--was chivalry's greatest champion.

Though a story told in verse, Harrison's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is actually easier reading than any edition of Malory I've seen, while the strong introduction and explanatory notes take care of most of the trouble spots. Acccessibility was clearly a major priority.

Like all the best stories, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is never the same twice. I first encountered this timeless tale years ago in college, but reading Harrison's edition was a whole new experience. The poem is full of symbolism and raises many questions about the nature of chivalry, heroism, courtesy, sin, success, failure, and duty--someof which the poet leaves to the reader to answer for himself.

For those of you who haven't read this poem for a while, Harrison's translation is a great way to get reacquainted with an old friend. And to those who have never read it, fearful of yet another barren "classic," give it a shot. It's definitely worth it.

Over the years I've read versions of this poem by numerous people: Brian Stone (the best before this), Tolkien, Raffael, Silverstein, and the archaic and almost unreadable version by Marie Boroff, and more. This is by far and away the best I've come across so far. For one thing, it's astonishingly accurate. Second, it's in a highhly crafted and subtly alliterated modern English. It SOUNDS like someone telling a story not putting on a literary manner and trying to sound important. I despaired of ever being able to introduce my students in reading groups to a convincing translation of this marvelous tale, and here it is. I listened to this version on Public Radio years ago and was captivated. Now I have the book and will delight in sharing the story with my students with a confidence I never had in any of the other translations. Fine introduction too - by the author and by Helen Cooper. Very highly recommended.

Within this Arthurian Romance poem, the author serves to illustrate the trials and tribulations of Sir Gawain in a compelling achievement of lyrical verse. The translation by Keith Harrison contains a well written introduction with extremely informative background on both Arthurian romances in general, and also specifically focused on an analysis of Sir Gawain. Harrison restores the author's original achievement through preserving much of the structure and mood, keeping the plot unscathed, as originally intended by working closely with the original text to revitalize the Old English by granting it current nuances while remaining removed from the rather blunt phraseology of today and maintaining the opulent nature of the original text. The author writes to the audiences expectations, preconceiving the notion that Arthurian romantic heroes intrigue with violence, chivalry, and conflict, and he works within that to produce a piece that upholds those expectations while, at the same time, humanizing Sir Gawain. As intended by the author, the translator clearly invokes the audiences' sympathy by allowing them to share the same emotions of fear and hesitation as Sir Gawain, thereby involving them more as a spectator amongst the action of the piece. Therefore, this piece offers a very effective description of a more humanized romantic hero than is often related within Old English Arthurian romances. At $8.95, it is well worth its cost if you are indeed interested in Arthurian literature and lore, and seeking a short, enthralling poem about the plight of one man seeking heroism.

Keith Harrison's translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a masterful classic that creates a new world in the reader's mind dating back to the times of Arthur's Round Table. Detailing the travels of the knight Sir Gawain, this tale exemplifies the genre of writing characteristic of Arthurian romances. The style sees the use of alliteration in pentameter showing a great appreciation of the ideals of poetry to accompany the basis of recreating a story passed down through generations. In addition, the short story does a prototypical job in portraying the values of the chivalric life. Using the pentangle as his model of excellence, the poet brings about a new understanding within the reader of the underlying morals that are at the heart of every Arthurian knight.
But even without a deep respect of the style of writing, the reader finds in Keith Harrison's SGGK a great retelling of a story that follows the up's and down's of Gawain and his quest for the Green Knight. Within the visible, physical struggle, an inner, mental conflict between the knight's own mindset as a romance hero and his all too obvious humanity becomes the dominant force in the narrative. The inner struggle is something that every human being, from past ages or modern cultures will face.
The deeper meaning in SGGK provides a backbone to a story beautifully translated into modern poetry. Because of the story's symbolic undertones, the recommendation is for the reader to read through the story once for its basic hero story and next to answer the question of why the Green Knight did not kill Gawain to upend his side of the deal. The realization then becomes the connection that Gawain's weaknesses have with your own human flaws. Because of the correlation between Gawain and the common man, this story has survived the test of time and space.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, with its translation by Keith Harrison (Oxford University Press 1998), is an enjoyable, as well as intellectually stimulating, book. A substantial amount of additional material is included in the book, including a wonderful introduction and explanatory notes. The poem is translated in verse, maintaining the story's oral history, and seems to preserve the original style that would have been common in the late 14th century when the poem was written. It is apparent in Helen Cooper's introduction that Harrison strove for accuracy in the story in addition to the careful manipulation of alliteration, rhythm, and bob-and-wheel styles of the original text. The introduction was extremely helpful in its explanation of terms, making the text more accessible to readers without extensive knowledge of medieval literature. It also discusses the anonymity of the poem's author and describes both the time period of the poem's setting in Arthurian times and the time in which the poem was written, including the influence of French romances.
The plot is captivating and either provides a twist ending for the first-time reader or the detection of foreshadowing for someone familiar with the poem's ending. The only slightly unsatisfactory part of the text lies in Gawain's excessive condemnation of himself at the end, leaving the reader questioning why he was so hard on himself while his peers commended his actions.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, among the tales of Arthur and his knights, presents one of the most moving, exciting, and human accounts of medieval knighthood. Keith Harrison's translation (Oxford University Press, 1998.) finds a compromise with the tale, positioning it half way between the original and modern English. Preserving the rhythmic structure of the poem, Harrison preserves much of the mood and lyrical nature of the tale. This printing contains, in addition to the text, a significant explanatory introduction relating the process of Harrison's translation. Coupled with the explanatory notes, Harrison's presentation of Gawain is an effective medium for the introduction to, familiarization with, and appreciation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The story itself is worth the money paid, and Harrison's edition of Sir Gawain acts as a great addition to any medieval collection.

(MDV102.3)

...Keith Harrison's verse translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998) is a fine read. The translation emphasizes the subtleties of the work while appealing to the modern reader through use of good diction and alliterative language. In effect, the reader joins Sir Gawain in his quest to meet the Green Knight, witnessing both Gawain the man and Gawain the romance hero in the process.

The "Introduction" by Helen Cooper was very helpful in that it gives the reader good background knowledge concerning a.) the unknown poet who wrote the story, b.) other stories that the poet wrote, c.) the idea of romance in French and English literature of the Middle Ages, and d.) the poem itself. Also included in the "Introduction" is a discussion of the poetic devices used (such as alliteration, beat, and rhythm). The "Translator's Note" further discusses the "tempo, tone and diction" of the translated work. A "Chronology" with the dates of important events (near the time when the work was most likely written) helps the reader get a better idea of the times and surroundings of the original author. Ten pages of explanatory notes are included at the end of the story which discuss allegories and problems or conflicts in translation as well as interesting literary devices used by the author.

The price of the book is well deserved; the story of Sir Gawain comes to life in a way that is not capable in other translations. The tale of this famous knight of King Arthur's court is captivating from the Green Knight's entrance till the unpredictable end. A great read for all lovers of medieval texts and romance literature.

1. This is not a comment on the original text of Sir Gawain nor on the translation. See above 4 -5 star reviews, which are about the PAPERBACK.
I give 5 stars for the book itself.

2. This review is for the Kindle version. AS WITH MANY CLASSICS titles (i.e. works in the Western Cannon), THE KINDLE VERSION IS A MESS.
--One cannot highlight individual words or make notes on individual words or lines, forcing one to write one note per page.
--The endnotes are not hyperlinked. One of the advantages of ebook over traditional is hyperlinks. This doesn't have those in the text itself.
--Because one cannot highlight individual words, one cannot use the dictionary/Wikipedia options.

3. If this book were free, some problems would be acceptable. But it's not free. It provides LESS VALUE than the printed book and many versions of free or $0.99 books.

4. Amazon needs to stop contributing to the decline of Western civilization and clean up its sloppy handling of our classic works, especially those in translation.
--Until these problems are fixed, keep Kindle reviews and general book reviews separate.
--Be careful about what translation someone is actually purchasing. I'll pay $8 for a good translation but I should get the creaky 19th century translation for free.
--Treat these books with the same care re: technology as others. We want even more to take notes and look up words and flip back and forth between sections in these books. Just because one reads a book written in the Middle Ages doesn't mean one will accept Middle Ages standards of text (when most people had no access to good literature, burned witches, died of the plague, etc.).

In sum, buy the paper version. Poke Amazon into making Kindle versions of The Odyssey, The Aeneid, The Metamorphoses, Sir Gawain, Arthur, Beowulf, etc. readable and in the most current translations. Good companies care about SERVICE (and making a buck).