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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight/Pearl/Sir Orfeo
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight/Pearl/Sir Orfeo | J R R Tolkien
A modern rendition of three classic medieval romances.
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JazzFeathers
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#FellowshipOfTolkien #MedievalTolkien

I'm happy that my edition includes an essay by Tolkien on the poem, because this opened to me scenarios that went totally lost on me.
I'm not surprised Tolkien was fascinated with this story considering his read of it as about temptation.
Not easy to read (at least for me, who know basically nothing about English literature), but fascinating.

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JazzFeathers
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#FellowshipOfTolkien #MedievalTolkien

I really quiet like the end of the story. I ended up caring a lot for Gawain. He seemed so very human to me, especially ent the end, when he shows his vulnerability.

But the story remained mostly obscured to me. I couldn't read the symbols or the themes. It's a poem that needs some form of education to read.

I still enjoyed it 😁

KCofKaysville @JazzFeathers There is a recent movie that seems a bit odd also. Maybe there is a book that is annotated and explains the symbols etc.? 13h
14 likes1 comment
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wordslinger42
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this! All three of the tales were enjoyable 😊 This has been sitting on my shelf for ages, and I‘m happy to have read it with the #FellowshipofTolkien 📚💚

#bookspinbingo

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JazzFeathers
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#FellowshipOfTolkien MedievalTolkien

So, l suppose there is a parallel between the hunt and Gawain resisting the lady's temptation

I was quite surprised by the lady forthcoming. I wonder whether ther is some historical truth to it or if it was only the author's fantasy.

Daisey I feel like I should comment, but I also feel I can‘t say anything until you finish the story! I‘m looking forward to hearing what you think of the whole thing. 4d
JazzFeathers @Daisey 😂 Won't have a chance to finish today, but l will tomorrow. Now you've had be curious! 3d
21 likes3 comments
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Daisey
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I know the text is tiny, but I wanted to share this section about the bob & wheel rhyming pattern for those whose edition does not include the appendix on verse forms. The first time I read this translation I did not read closely enough to note this rhyming pattern on my own, but I think it‘s fascinating to see how it‘s in the original and the translation.

#MedievalTolkien #FellowshipOfTolkien #Poetry

42 likes1 comment
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JazzFeathers
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#FellowshipIfTolkien #MedievalTolkien

Just finished reading Sir Gawain part II.
If this is not ominous, l don't know what is 🥶

I'm not very familiar with this kind of poems firm. Antibody knows what's the deal with such long and detailed descriptions?

Daisey Do you have the section on verse forms? If so, I would definitely read it before finishing the poem. I was much more aware of the alliterative style this time through because of that. Additionally, if you‘re unfamiliar with the story itself, there are prose translations as well. That‘s what I read in high school, so the poetry was new, but I had some familiarity with the story itself, which was probably helpful as well. 1w
JazzFeathers @Daisey Unfortunately, my edition seems to be very different from yours 😟 But I'll see whether l can find something online 😁 1w
21 likes3 comments
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Daisey
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From the Appendix on Verse Forms:
“The frequent occurrence in the translation of ‘Wawain‘ for ‘Gawain‘ follows the practice of the original. Both forms of the name were current; and of course the existence of an alternative form of the name of a principal character, beginning with another consonant, was a great help to an alliterative poet.”

#MedievalTolkien #FellowshipOfTolkien #Poetry

Daisey When listening to the audio, it seems each introduction is with each poem, but I cannot find the appendix on verse forms which I found very helpful for better appreciating the poetic form and complexity of this translation. This was one detail I found interesting and amusing. 2w
BethM Def been thinking they were two people lol 2w
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JazzFeathers @BethM Me too 😂 Thanks @Daisey This is so helpful! 2w
TheAromaofBooks I was really glad the schedule recommended reading the appendix before the poem because it had a lot of helpful information. 2w
Daisey @BethM @JazzFeathers @TheAromaofBooks Yes, reading the appendix helps a lot with some of the detail of the poetic translation. I might post about the bob and wheel pattern later today too. 1w
40 likes6 comments
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JazzFeathers
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#FellowshipOfTolkien #MedievalTolkien

Well. Took me three days to read the first part (l find it a bit difficult to read, English being my second language and all), but l enjoyed it
I didn't expect it to be such a rich narration.

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LitsyEvents
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Good morning! Today we start our next Tolkien readalong. I‘m so looking forward to discussing these poetic translations with other readers. Additionally, I‘ve missed my Sunday morning breakfast with Tolkien time. I‘m reading this print copy and also downloaded an audio to listen as well.

Schedule:
https://litsy.com/p/cWViODg5VkRv

#FellowshipOfTolkien #MedievalTolkien #Readalong #JRRTolkien #Poetry #BookAndBreakfast #BreakfastWithTolkien

35 likes1 comment
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AllDebooks
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Listening to Terry Jones narrating Sir Gawain for my #HyggehourReadathon with a hot chocolate and quiet space.
#FellowshipofTolkein September #buddyread

@Daisey @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @jenniferw88

kspenmoll Read this in college! Happy hygge! (edited) 2w
Daisey Somehow I completely missed this tag. Glad to have you joining us! Sounds like a lovely way to enjoy hygge time. 2w
31 likes2 comments
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Daisey
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Good morning! Today we start our next Tolkien readalong. I‘m so looking forward to discussing these poetic translations with other readers. Additionally, I‘ve missed my Sunday morning breakfast with Tolkien time. I‘m reading this print copy and also downloaded an audio to listen as well.

Schedule:
https://litsy.com/p/cWViODg5VkRv

#FellowshipOfTolkien #MedievalTolkien #Readalong #JRRTolkien #Poetry #BookAndBreakfast #BreakfastWithTolkien

Daisey I‘m using my new shorter tag list of those that expressed interest in this book specifically. If you would like to be added or deleted from this list or my master #FellowshipOfTolkien list, please let me know. 2w
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! My library had a copy. I'm very interested to read Tolkien's translation!! 2w
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CatLass007 I‘ve got my audiobook but it‘s not broken down in a similar way to the schedule so I‘m winging it. I‘ll do my best to stay with the group. 2w
AllDebooks I have this audiobook, too. 2w
BethM I just finished todays- sometimes I‘m astounded by how much smarter people are than I am 😂 2w
JazzFeathers I've been silent, but l have started! 😜 2w
45 likes8 comments
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wordslinger42
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My September #bookspin list! 🐉📚

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2w
22 likes1 comment
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JazzFeathers
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#FellowshipOfTolkien

In the meantime! We start this new adventure tomorrow! 😁

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JazzFeathers
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#FellowshipOfTolkien

Just arrived! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

You know, l found all three for a good price and thought, why not? 😜

tpixie Wow great book haul!! 4w
tpixie They aren‘t on Goodreads! 4w
JazzFeathers @tpixie Really??? That's so very strange. 4w
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Daisey @tpixie They are all on Goodreads. I‘ve got them on my Tolkien shelf. 2w
Daisey @JazzFeathers Fantastic book haul! You are so ready for our continuing reading now. 2w
JazzFeathers @Daisey 😜😂 2w
27 likes6 comments
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Daisey
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Tolkien readers, we‘re moving on from Middle-Earth to read some of Tolkien‘s medieval translations. I‘ve read this book, but I‘m excited to read it and discuss it with you. Based on my prior reading, I‘ve divided and scheduled the introduction and appendix to be read before each translation itself. Join @JazzFeathers and I in this next reading adventure!

Tag list info in comments⬇️

#MedievalTolkien #FellowshipOfTolkien
#JRRTolkien #Poetry

Daisey I will tag everyone from my previous tag list in this post and then start a new list with those who have already commented or comment here to be added for this book. 1mo
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wordslinger42 Can‘t wait!! 🥳 1mo
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Oh…a new one we have not read before! ☺️ 1mo
CatLass007 Awesome! 1mo
curiouserandcurioser @Daisey so excited for this!:) 1mo
BookwormAHN Yay 😺 1mo
TheAromaofBooks It looks like this one is available at the library, so I'm in!! 1mo
Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yes, I love to reread, but I also really want to keep working through my list of unread. 1mo
Daisey @TheAromaofBooks Glad to hear it! 1mo
JazzFeathers Can't wait! Thanks for the schedule @Daisey ☺️ 1mo
CatLass007 The audiobook I‘m listening to has the introductions and appendices are in this order but the table of contents just says chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4. 2w
Daisey @CatLass007 Yeah, it seems this schedule does not easily work for different editions, including the audio. The main thing was that I found all the supplemental information beneficial before reading the poems themselves, but any order is fine. 2w
37 likes15 comments
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BarbaraJean
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Mehso-so

It was interesting to read Tolkien‘s translations of these three medieval poems, but it‘s been a long time since my medieval literature classes in college, and that area of my reading skills is a bit rusty! I enjoyed the narrative of Sir Gawain (especially with my recent read of Once & Future King) and Sir Orfeo, but found Pearl a bit more of a slog. Overall it was fascinating to read a different side of Tolkien‘s work. May #DoubleSpin complete!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1y
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BarbaraJean
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I‘m continuing to enjoy the annotations in this edition… the previous reader seems to have written a little comment/title at the beginning of each section. I‘ve seen “Warning,” “Symbolic setting,” “Irony in parting,” etc. Here, as Gawain‘s companion urges him to flee and Gawain insists he will face the Green Knight, said comment/title is “See ya! Whatever!” 😂😂

Dilara Glad you're enjoying them! It would drive me mad 😂 🙃 1y
BarbaraJean @Dilara 😂Usually this kind of thing does drive me mad, but these are penciled so lightly and in such minuscule cursive, that they‘re easy to overlook. And the ones that catch my eye are often hilarious, like this one! 1y
Saknicole I do love some annotations in academic works too. I just got a second hand copy of Walden because of the precious annotations. 1y
34 likes3 comments
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BarbaraJean
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This secondhand copy of Gawain & the Green Knight seems to have been used for a high school English class (it has a name and “Period 6” written on the first page). It‘s thoroughly annotated in not-very-legible, lightly-penciled-in writing. I‘ve been overlooking most of the notes, but this caught my eye: next to “…so loved he the less/ either long to be lying or long to be seated,” the reader marked “ADHD.” 😂

Ruthiella 😂😂😂 1y
dabbe Priceless. 🤩😍🤗 1y
37 likes2 comments
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Crystal83
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Pickpick

I love this book!!!! Tolkien is one of my favorite authors of all times!!! I love the way it was done. It was great and beautiful!!! I rated the book a 4 out of 5 stars!!!

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451Degrees
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Bailedbailed

In the end I just couldn‘t get through it. I was able to finish Sir Gawain but stopped in Pearl. The rest of my book club spoke highly of the short poem Sir Orfeo but I couldn‘t get through Pearl to get there. Shoulda skipped it but hindsight is 20/20. Onto Emma! #bookclubbooks

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451Degrees
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Oh. My. God. This book is so... meh😩 I would have bailed so so long ago if this wasn‘t for a book club. I am really not one for poetry and I am struuggglinnggggg. #sendhelp

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451Degrees
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Catching up on my book club book with this gem😍 I‘m not allowed to sit by myself EVER😂 were bundled up and ready for the incoming weather in Portland, OR! How‘s the weather where everyone else is?❄️❄️ #finankitten #catsoflitsy #snuggles

MsMelissa No bad weather here at the moment, just freezing temperatures 🥶 4y
451Degrees @MsMelissa keep warm!! 🔥 4y
rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 4y
Bookzombie I live in San Antonio, TX and we have more cold than we know what to do with. We may see as low as 7 degrees F on Monday. 😳 Stay warm and snuggly! 4y
451Degrees @Bookzombie holy cow you guys are cold down there!! Stay warm!! 4y
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Bookwomble
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A less impulsive purchase: reading an early 20th century translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight last week reminded me that I didn't have this slightly later 20th century translation by Tolkien. Now I do have it!
Pearl and Sir Orfeo I've never read, and they sound interesting, so (hopefully) I'll enjoy this one.

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Daisey
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Pickpick

I‘ll be the first to admit I don‘t generally read Medieval English poetry, but I really enjoyed these translations by Tolkien, well at least 2 of the 3. I find it incredibly interesting to see more details of his personal interests and how they may have inspired his created world and writing style. The more of his original poetry I‘ve read, the more I‘ve appreciated it, and this added yet another layer.

#FellowshipofTolkien #poetry #translated

SamAnne I read it for a book group last year and really enjoyed it. 4y
JazzFeathers And did you find any connection with his creations? 4y
Daisey @SamAnne @JazzFeathers I enjoyed it more than expected, but I think a lot of that had to do with my increasing appreciation for narrative poetry over the last few years. It was really interesting to consider how these poems might have served as inspiration for Tolkien. 4y
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Daisey
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I definitely did not enjoy “Pearl” as much as the other two poems, but the description of the form of the poem does give me a much greater appreciation for the writing and translation. I completely missed this detail in my casual reading.

#poetry

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Daisey
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I found the information at the end of the book about the verse forms in these poems surprisingly interesting as I don‘t tend to read a lot of poetry. This bit explains the bob and wheel at the end of each stanza of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.”

#poetry

JazzFeathers My goodness, l bari understand the explanation. I'd never be able to do it. 4y
Daisey @JazzFeathers The poems themselves are reasonably straightforward in their storytelling. I read the introductory notes before the poems, but I kind of wish I had read these notes at the end of the book first as well. I think it would have helped me pay closer attention to the form of the poems as I read. I flipped back several times to compare these notes to actual examples. The level of precision in translating amazes me! 4y
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Daisey
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I enjoyed the third translated poem. This first section caught my attention and seems a fairly true statement about what authors often create. I also felt there might have been bits of inspiration for Aragorn in the character of the King.

#FellowshipofTolkien #poetry

JazzFeathers I'm not one for poetry either, but now l'm very curious. 4y
Daisey @JazzFeathers In all of these I could see how the style of medieval poetry was an influence for Tolkien, but the story in this one caught my attention as well. The king loses his wife and leaves his kingdom in charge of a steward to search for her. His time traveling and searching seemed somewhat Ranger like and then at the end he returns to his kingdom unrecognized by the steward or his people. 4y
JazzFeathers @Daisey Well, l'd say! 4y
45 likes3 comments
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Daisey
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According to Tolkien‘s introductory notes, there is debate about the layers of symbolism and allegory in this poem. No matter how you look at it, it is full of Biblical references and Christian theology about death and salvation. I guess that makes it an appropriate poem for Easter, but I enjoyed the first poem much more.

#FellowshipofTolkien #poetry

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Daisey
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Over the course of today I read Tolkien‘s translation of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” I read at least part of this story in a different translation in high school, but I remembered very little of it. It was an interesting story of King Arthur‘s England, and I appreciated all the little descriptive details of the poem.

#poetry #FellowshipofTolkien

LinesUponAPage I always liked Tolkien‘s version the best. 4y
Daisey @Lifeisasnap I think I might listen to one of the other translations this week just for comparison. 4y
LinesUponAPage @Daisey enjoy!! If i remember right there isn‘t a huge difference it‘s just the old English vs regular English. I might be remembering wrong. Let me know. 😉 4y
57 likes3 comments
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Daisey
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Over the last couple of years, a standard part of my daily routine has been to read some pages of Tolkien and often more when I‘m home for a few days. Now, we‘re between books in our readalong while we wait for everyone, myself included, to get the next book. Since I‘m teaching from home and I have more Tolkien reading material, I think I‘m going to try some pages of one of these while waiting.

#FellowshipofTolkien

Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I hope so! I just need to figure out which one I do want to read now, but I think I‘m leaning towards the shorter one so I can finish it this month. 4y
JazzFeathers My mouth is wavering seeing these books! I'm still reading the Appendixes, but maybe l'll be able to read something in between books too. I'd love to read Garth. 4y
Daisey @JazzFeathers I've been really curious about this book of translations and it's pretty short, so I thought this was a good time to pick it up. I've paged through the art book many times, but I've yet to read most of the text. Garth would be a great choice! 4y
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AshleyHoss820
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Pickpick

This was so good. The alliteration was fun. The plot was a ride. Before this Arthurian Legends class, I *thought* I knew Arthur. I was Jon Snow. I knew nothing. I‘m keeping this forever and always & I will read it to my students!

Daisey I would be stacking this from your review, except I think I already own a book that includes it. It definitely needs to move up the TBR. 5y
AshleyHoss820 @Daisey This class is my favorite class this semester! It has been SO fun! Tolkien worked for a long time on these translations and I think it‘s fabulous! Definitely read the introduction that Christopher Tolkien wrote! 😊😊😊 5y
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marian.tarko
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The more I read these old English poems the more I understand the professor. 😍😍

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downtherabbithole
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@BethM I don‘t know where to start! I absolutely love everything; I find it awesome we got each other Sir Gawain 🤗😂 I‘m so excited to try the different teas in the best tumbler ever! Sweets are my weakness. The beautiful wooden magnets will be the first on my fridge in my new place when I finish moving. And I‘m super excited to read A Darker Shade of Magic and The Lost Book of Tales - I‘ve been eyeing both for some time now!! Thank you so much!

downtherabbithole @BethM I ran out of room! 😂 I love the bracelets! 6y
BethM I‘m glad you like it! Both those artists create amazing things and Adagio is my favorite tea brand! Sorry about not finding that third book! You seemed really into Tolkien and I didn‘t want to go off book list in case you had something it already. 6y
downtherabbithole @BethM you‘ve been more than generous. I love it all. 6y
Sophoclessweetheart 🖤✨👏 6y
34 likes4 comments
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Foragingfantasy
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So I'm thinking about adding ALL of my Tolkien to the #lotrchapteraday Besides the children of hurin, I'm adding The Book of Lost Tales (1), The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Little_Reader I read this exact edition of Sir Gawain for a medieval lit class in college. I remember being surprised that I liked it. Medieval lit wasn't really my thing. 😒 7y
Foragingfantasy @Little_Reader I read it for Brit lit, but not this edition. I remember really liking it and also Beowulf. 7y
30 likes2 comments
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badgerjules
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This week's bookshop buy 😍

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emmekamalei
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Pickpick

Finished this today and man, I'm just always in awe of Tolkien's skill as a translator. Listening to the audiobook brought this home even more, because it allows you to truly experience the musicality of the words! Also we can't forget that Pearl and Sir Orfeo are included in this edition. I think Sir Orfeo is one of my favs... I'm glad the ending is different than the Greek version. 😉
#tolkien #sirgawain #tolkientribe #jrrtolkien #sirorfeo

Molly_7 Ooo where did you get the audiobook for this? 7y
emmekamalei @Molly_7 I found it on audible! 7y
SpeculativeFemale That's the translation my favorite Professor preferred for her are Arthurian lit class in college. Still my favorite translation. 7y
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emmekamalei @SpeculativeFemale it is definitely a great one. Next I need to read his translation of Beowulf! 7y
Molly_7 @emmekamalei nice! I've been eying The Once and Future King on audible, but I'm not sure I'm down for 33 hours. :/ 7y
emmekamalei @Molly_7 I don't blame you there; I have been trying to finish that one for years, literally! The Sword in the Stone was great, but once it turned into the politics of Arthur and his court it was much harder to stay interested! I think I have like 8 hours left 😅 7y
CaitlinElizabeth @emmekamalei are there any books that are dedicated to the poems/prose/songs in LOTR? I would love to have them all in one volume (edited) 7y
emmekamalei @CaitlinElizabeth I'm not aware of something like that, but The Adventures of Tom Bombadil has some of them! 7y
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