The Quest of the Holy Grail (Penguin Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

Anonymous (Author), Pauline M. Matarasso (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: October 25, 2005

Composed by an unknown author in early thirteenth-century France, "The Quest of the Holy Grail" is a fusion of Arthurian legend and Christian symbolism, reinterpreting ancient Celtic myth as a profound spiritual fable. It recounts the quest of the knights of Camelot - the simple Perceval, the thoughtful Bors, the rash Gawain, the weak Lancelot and the saintly Galahad - as they journey through danger and temptation to reach the elusive Holy Grail. But only one of them is judged worthy to see the mysteries within the sacred vessel, and look upon the ineffable. Enfused with tragic grandeur and an aura of mysticism, "The Quest" is an absorbing and radiant allegory of man's perilous search for divine grace, and had a profound influence on later Arthurian romances and versions of the Grail legend.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (October 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140442200
• ISBN-13: 978-0140442205
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Malory's source for the Grail Quest, December 29, 1999

By 

Mike Osborne (Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Quest of the Holy Grail (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

Before reading The Quest of the Holy Grail, one must remember that it is a work of Medieval literature, not a popular novel. With that proviso in mind, this complex and highly allegorical work will delight those interested in the Medieval quest for the Holy Grail--but it will disappoint those wanting a modern page-turner. It is also interesting to compare this volume from the French "Vulgate" Cycle with Malory's later version of the Grail Quest in his Le Morte D'Arthur. Malory streamlines the intricate interlacing of the French version to produce a more compelling read but loses much of the deeper religious symbolism of his source. For those readers willing to delve into Medieval religious allegory I would highly recommend The Quest of the Holy Grail. I have already read it three times, and each time I do I get more out of it.

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book with great spiritual lessons, May 15, 2004

By 

Tim Martin (South Bend, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Quest of the Holy Grail (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

I purchased this book to do some background reading on the Arthurian legends. Until this book, my readings about Arthur and his Knights had been limited to the Mists of Avalon and a dim memory of Le Morte de Arthur. I did not realize what a diluted version I had received! Reading this book is like taking a clear deep drink from a crystal spring high in the mountains!

The book is primarly a spritual primer on the need for a shriven soul. The lesson that is taught clearly in the book is that one cannot approach Christ without repentance and contrition (with the requisite of Grace). Of course, these lessons are presented in a manner that is both entertaining and moving.

With this book you can begin to understand the mindset of the middle ages and you can see that many of the obstacles we face on our modern spiritual life have been faced many times before (this should never surprise us, but, with our myopia of modernity, it always does).

If you have any interest in Arthur and the Grail legends, you should buy this book. If you are looking for some very apt spriritual lessions, you should buy this book. If you are looking for an insight in the creative side of religious mind in the middle ages, you should read this book.

I should also add the notes are very informative.

Enjoy.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quest of the Holy Grail (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

For me this was one of the 4 or 5 books that changes your life. The high ideals of the characters and QUEST still blows me away. Worth the endless footnotes - for if you persevere with the reading you are left feeling you've encountered the grail yourself!