This immortal tale concerns the doomed love between a knight and a princess. The heroic Tristan, nephew and champion of King Mark of Cornwall, journeys to Ireland to bring home his uncle's betrothed, the fair Iseult. Their shipboard voyage takes a tumultuous turn with a misunderstanding and a magic potion, and the lovers quickly find that there's no turning back.
The Romance of Tristan and Iseult
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Editorial Reviews
Review
The first complete English edition, brilliantly translated....Throughout it retains the beauty and sense of fatality that have made it one of legendary literature's most fascinating tales." -- Time
A tale of chivalry and doomed, transcendent love. The Romance of Tristan and Iseult is one of the most resonant works of Western literature, as well as the basis for our enduring idea of romance. The story of the Cornish knight and the Irish princess who meet by deception, fall in love by magic, and pursue that love in defiance of heavenly and earthly law has inspired artists from Matthew Arnold to Richard Wagner. But nowhere has it been retold with greater eloquence and dignity than in Joseph Bedier's edition, which weaves several medieval sources into a seamless whole, elegantly translated by Hilaire Belloc and Paul Rosenfeld.
"A powerful rendition, an incomparable tale."
-- The New York Times
"Definitely a book to preserve and cherish." -- Chicago Sun --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
A tale of chivalry and doomed, transcendent love. The Romance of Tristan and Iseult is one of the most resonant works of Western literature, as well as the basis for our enduring idea of romance. The story of the Cornish knight and the Irish princess who meet by deception, fall in love by magic, and pursue that love in defiance of heavenly and earthly law has inspired artists from Matthew Arnold to Richard Wagner. But nowhere has it been retold with greater eloquence and dignity than in Joseph Bedier's edition, which weaves several medieval sources into a seamless whole, elegantly translated by Hilaire Belloc and Paul Rosenfeld.
"A powerful rendition, an incomparable tale."
-- The New York Times
"Definitely a book to preserve and cherish." -- Chicago Sun --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Original Language: French --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By K. Jump
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"The Romance of Tristan & Iseult" is one of the foremost chivalric myths of all time. A rich mosaic of the human experience, embroidered with colorful gothic elements like spell-weaving dwarves, love potions, magical bells and even a particularly monstrous dragon, "Tristan & Iseult" is the tale of a heroic knight from fabled Lyonesse who falls madly in love with his King's betrothed through sorcery. Neither Tristan nor his Queen-to-be can resist the magic that possesses them both, and they cannot help but fling themselves headlong into an affair that shakes the very foundations of the Arthurian world.
More than a mere "love story," this is a philosophical exploration of the human soul. Are Tristan and Iseult really guilty of adultery? Do they have a free will? Do they truly love each other, or is their affair nothing but a sorcerous delusion? Is King Mark the villain of the story, or is this a tale beyond conventional heroism or villainy?
Readers familiar with the Arthurian legend will quickly draw parallels between Tristan and Iseult and Lancelot and Guinevere, whose tragic love brought Camelot to its knees. Indeed, Malory cites Tristan (whom he refers to as "Tristram") as a knight of such prowess and nobility that he is second only to Lancelot himself--and a close second at that.
If you are a dreamer, a hopeless romantic, this is the book you've been looking for.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I would not have read Bedier's translation of "Tristan and Iseult" on my own. Throughout my degree, and my previous highschool education, I've come across "Tristan and Iseult" in four different forms before Bedier's, and was so tired of the tale that I thought no one would breathe life into it again for me.
Not so.
Bedier's translation (which was then translated by Hilaire Belloc and completed by Paul Rosenfeld) has repainted "Tristan and Iseult" into a truly living piece of mythology. Presented with exquisite detail, and with portions of the story even my four previous readings had never uncovered, this is, I believe, how the tale was meant to be told.
The achetypal doomed-romance, "Tristan and Iseult" is the well-known tale of the romance between those two lovers, born of a magical philtre, and doomed in the face of Iseult's marriage to King Mark. The age of chivalry practically shines from the pages, and the heart-wrenching story itself is a joy to read, with only a few bumps and jolts of prose along the way (likely, I imagine, translation difficulties).
If you are at all interested in mythology, especially that of Arthurian theme or times, Bedier's translation of "Tristan and Iseult" is the one for you. You won't be disappointed.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By F. Mercer
Format:Paperback
"The Romance of Tristan & Iseult" is the tale of one of the earliest pairs of star-crossed lovers in literature, heavily researched and drawing from many versions of the story. Having come across the tale in many forms, from the opera "Tristan und Isolde" to cameo appearances in "The Mists of Avalon," this telling is refreshing and spirited. The authenticity of language, as well as the narrator's own action and moral interpretations make one feel that they are sitting near a fire in the great hall listening to a seneschal tell the tale of doomed love.
"Tristan & Iseult" is fast-paced and beautiful. It is also an invaluable tale to read as an example of the archetypes and symbols of the tragic hero, imbedded Christ imagery, woman on a pedestal, etc.
"Tristan & Iseult" is fast-paced and beautiful. It is also an invaluable tale to read as an example of the archetypes and symbols of the tragic hero, imbedded Christ imagery, woman on a pedestal, etc.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I had to read this for a history class and thought I woult dread it, but it is a very nice love story - way better than Romeo and Juliet, and did reflect the changing view of romantic love in literature of the time. I will be keeping it in my library instead of selling it back to the bookstore - and that says a lot!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story of Tristan and Iseult (or Isolde) is well known through Wagner's famous opera, but this is the real tale. It isn't embellished, but instead it tells the complete tale clearly and succinctly in a manner reminiscent of the older manuscripts like Beowulf. The story (unlike the current film) does include the magic potion, a typical device of the older legends. The heart-breaking ending may be clear even in the third or fourth chapter, but getting there is a major trip to treasure. To those familiar with Wagner's names, there are some variant spellings, but they don't amount to much. Kurvenal is Gorvenal for example. A most enjoyable book.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Maritsa
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A fairy tale, mideavel romance with a dragon, a giant, love potion, murder, deciet, love, loyalty, honor, etc. This translation is beautiful. It reads like butter.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although this novel is light in nature for the most part, there are times when the forever human struggle of Love will move the reader deeper and deeper into the story. The reader should find themselves rooting for the doomed loves, Tristan and Isluet, throughout the adventure. At times there are tremoundous action scenes, with a well written interactions between the two lovers at the heart of the story. If you love someone deeply, you should enjoy this boook.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
I bought this book for a literature class
I bought this book for a literature class. It was not the correct ISBN #, but that was my fault for not verifying before I bought it.
Published 1 month ago by Melissa Hillman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely in love with this story
I've read this book in two English classes that I've taken. The story is classic and beautiful, and is still tear-jerking no matter how many times you read it.
Published 4 months ago by Deen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic love story beautifully retold
I'd always wanted to read the story of Tristan and Iseult after seeing countless movies and hearing innumerable art and literary references to the ill - fated couple. Read more
Published 23 months ago by polythene Pam
1.0 out of 5 stars
short version
I bought this book thinking that it was the entire compilation by Bedier. It is not. Several chapters are left out, and I suspect that the chapters which are included are abridged. Read more
Published on April 19, 2011 by E. Lees
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tristan, child of sadness
I wish all books were like this -- action-packed, romantic, and deeply moving. This story captures the love, the passion, the anguish, the pain. Read more
Published on November 19, 2008 by ennui
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bédier and Belloc's Great Epic
The style of this epic story is a crossing of the dragons and chivalry of King Arthur, with the romance and tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. But Tristan & Iseult predate them both. Read more
Published on February 7, 2008 by Joseph L. Tremblay
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read.
I find The Romance of Tristan and Iseult a good read for anyone interested in Medieval literature, or romance; or both for that matter. Read more
Published on May 6, 2007 by T. D. Lundbech
5.0 out of 5 stars
A timeless legend
In the Arthurian Legend of Tristan and Iseult (alternatively Isolde, Yseult, Isode, Isotta, etc.), there are actually two Iseults involved with him. Read more
Published on December 20, 2005 by Book Lover
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aaww
Although this story line has been used endlessly in many classic romance stories, it was a very good read. So romantic. Read more
Published on August 18, 2003 by J. Jinn
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book I've ever been obliged to read !
As a high school student I had to read this book. Looking at it and seeing the theme, I initially snickered ... until I started reading page one. The story just blew me away. Read more
Published on January 5, 2003 by CT
