Customer Reviews

Tristan and Iseult

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This Brittanic hero, beloved of two beautiful young women named Iseult, emerges as a valiant youth and amazing champion, despite the added medieval trappings of later versions. The star-crossed lovers are destined to love only each other, yet to be wed to other partners for the sake of Honor--critical to the code of celtic chivalry. Torn between his home in Lothian (Scotland), his heart in Cornwall, and his duty in Brittany, young Tristan craves action, adventure and far-flung fame. Further complicating the plot, he wins Iseult in fair combat, yet may not claim her for himself. Too late he discovers that the core of his being is pledged to this red-haired princess, the bride for his liege lord, the King.

This ageless story of ill-fated romance speaks to us across the centuries, thanks to Sutcliff's superb linguistic tapestry; she weaves revealing understatement with gracious descriptions of both terrestrial and maritime settings. No need has she for the famous love potion, taken as a remedy for sea sickness by King Marc's loyal vassal. Tristan's "crime" is all the more heinous because in ancient literature the most sacred human relationship is not the father-son, but the uncle-nephew; thus to betray one's uncle (or 2nd father)is unthinkable.

Tristan and Iseult's anguished lives and broken hearts are the result of their own actions and unbridled emotions, not a brew consumed in error. Tristan may roam the celtic world all his life, but he can never pluck her image from his noble heart. Only the reader may judge which of the two damsels--Iseult of Cornwall or Iseult of the White Hands--loves him more. Or does his greater injury. This edition could be slightly improved if it included a map of his journeys, since most Americans are not that familiar with Brittanic geography. But the tale is timeless, the narrative exquisite and their love survives beyond the grave. For adult readers of all ages.

Tristan is a Celtic legend dating from the fifth century and probably told around peat fires until written down by Thomas of Brittany circa 1160. Subsequently this ancient tale received medieval dress as the troubadours enriched it and placed it in turreted castles in which it is generally set. Subsequent authors have all tampered with the tale, adjusting it to suit their needs. Sutcliff has done the same by simplifying and shortening and leaving out the love potion aas the explanation of why Tristan and Iseult fall in love. Her version is a concise pellet of information and story I presume designed for children and teenagers for whom it is well suited. Those of you who like your Tristan straight up should read The Romance of Tristan in the Curtis translation or Beroul's masterpiece The Romance of Tristan and Iseult by Bedier. Those who wish to read a truly zany version might take a look at The Romance of Tristan and Iseult: Modern Version (the one I like the best) wherein the lovers communicate by fax machines and portable phones.

Tristan and Iseult is one of the best books I have ever read. And the way Sutcliff tells the story is supurb. I highly recomend it.

This book is okay. I had to read it for a university children's literature class. It is simply enough for a 3rd or 4th grader to read. I personally didn't like the book but I bought it for a dollar or two used so it wasn't that bad for the money.

this was an excellent read, just for your spare time. This is a young adult book, which is very exciting to me, and my book group, to whom i read it with. I do fell as though this author was a little childish, for example: sometimes she didn't go into great detail about a subject; she just moved on to the next part of the story. Overall, this is one of my favorite books. I definitly recomend this book to all who have read my review here, and thank you for taking time to read this.

I like stories based on legend, but I don't sit around and read legends for a reason. I also prefer storylines not solely based on adultery. I know that probably doesn't mean a lot to some people out there, but Tristan's relationship with both Iseults was in some way adulterous and I have a lot of trouble admiring a hero who sees marriage as political only. Or maybe has so little control over his emotions that he stays in love with a woman he can't have. Definitely not my favorite Sutcliff.

It is not too often that you would run across two women called Iseult.
That, however, is what Tristan does. This is further complicated by the
fact that both want him, and because of political obligations he can
realistically never have either.

He does want to whack stuff with swords, as well, so none of this ends up happily.