Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: with Pearl and Sir Orfeo

Yet again Tolkien doesn't disappoint with this excellent translation of three ancient tales of old. Had to read over the material a couple of times to get better understanding of the depths of the translation of these excellent poems but still enjoyed

If I could only afford one of the de luxe editions of JRRT's versions of works by other writers, I think that this is the one that I'd pick. Unlike his treatments of the Kalevala or the story of King Arthur, his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Orfeo and Pearl are complete, and, to this reader at least, they're easier to enjoy than his prose translation of Beowulf or his verses about Sigurd and Gudrun.The text of the new book is the same as that of the original, 1975 edition except for two additions: there's a one-page note by Chris Smith, HarperCollins's current Tolkien editor, and we're presented too with Tolkien's W. P. Ker lecture on Sir Gawain (also included in Tolkien's The Monsters and the Critics). Christopher Tolkien had intended to revise his 1975 editorial apparatus for this version, but died before he was able to do so.The design of the book is more elaborate than I was expecting. Its cover and bookmark are similar to those of earlier books in the series, but the slipcase is decorated with a botanical border that is also used within the book on its main title page and on the title pages of each of its three poems. Titles are printed in a black-face Gothic font, and are embellished with four black and white miniature woodcuts by Bill Sanderson (who produced similar artwork for Sigurd and Gudrun and the Fall of Arthur, if my geriatric memory isn't letting me down). There are also some pretty manuscript-style drop capitals, printed in green, which is also the colour used for numerals and headlines. A two-sided frontispiece reproduces coloured photographs of two pages of Tolkien's holograph.Fifty-something quid is a lot to pay for any book, especially if, like me, you already own first editions of both of the texts from which this one has been assembled. But if you're one of the increasing number of people who relish books that are a delight to the eye, a pleasure to handle and crafted to last for generations, this is certainly one that you won't regret shelling out for.

Beautiful edition of a beautiful book. When I first discovered Tolkien, I bought a copy of Sir Gawain thinking it would tie in with Middle Earth. I had yet to discover The Silmarilion and assumed that everyhing Tolkien wrote would be set in his subcreation. Instead Sir Gawain expanded my imagination way beyond Hobbits, Balrogs, and so on. Of course my love of all things Tolkien remained, and I have collected and read his works all my life.The book itself is a delight to hold and look at. The text is printed in two colours and like all the delux editions it is the very definition of what a book should be. As an adult the actual text now holds more allure for me than it did when I was a child, but the magic remains in glimpsing into a world long gone. It is nice to have Tolkiens thoughts on the text included.If you like to collect books then this is a gem.

I had previously spent rather a lot of money on a splendid Folio Society edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, in a translation by Simon Armitage. It is a very fine edition, a beautiful artifact, but the translation is a bit too folksy and demotic. Armitage is a man of his time, and his modern vernacular style jars with ancient poem. The Tolkien version, which I ordered on the recommendation of my friend and colleague Dan Hannan, and which I am reviewing, is as different as chalk from cheese. Physically, it's no more than an ordinary little paperback. But unlike Armitage, Tolkien is by no means a man of his time. He is a man of a very different time, and his glorious language suits the period and the ambience of the poem. It gives a real feeling, a real insight into the mediaeval text. Nothing jars, nothing feels out of place. Toklein's rendering is a triumph and a delight, and while I shall value the Folio edition as an object, I shall prefer the Tolkien as literature.

I am not reviewing the actual content itself as that's been well covered. This is just to say the hardcover deluxe edition is one that fits well with the other releases and has one of the nicest slipcases of any of them. Paper is of good quality and the text size is just about perfect. Highly recommended if you are looking to add it to your collection of Deluxe Tolkien releases.

Great book

I have read various translations of Sir Gawain and wanted a good copy of Tolkien's elegant translation. He is at home here, in this story of magic, a hidden trial, temptation, all wrapped up in courtly love and Christmas feasting. No elves or dwarves or hobbits, but the sense of magic - pagan and Christian - underpinning life and the wintry landscape is very strong. A lovely copy of the book too, ex-library, good condition, a sense of history.

Even though I am not a great poetry fan, I really enjoyed this set. The prose is very easy to follow and hugely enjoyable and the main story is a great yarn. Terry Jones is a fantastic narrator who really brings the whole thing to life.