Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

by Selina Shirley Hastings (Adaptor), Juan Wijngaard (Illustrator)

Retells the story of Gawain's quest for the Green Chapel and his puzzling encounters with Sir Bercilak and his lady.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Medieval, Fantasy, Mythology, Classics, School

29 pages, Paperback

Published June 27, 1991

About the author

Lady Selina Shirley Hastings is a British journalist, author and biographer.

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline is simplified and the language modernised, but not altered much because it's been kept unmodified for the most part. The art is of a lovely Medieval-ish style, though the costumes look from a later period than the one that would correspond to the legend's first appearance, and the figures are a bit stiff and not very polished in some panels, some of which are also rather small.

Not the best art overall, and there should've been more illustrated panels for a story this long and wordy if this was meant as a picture book for children, but the adaptation shines.

[Set · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was reworded from old English and some dialogue was concealed because the story is for a younger audience but the theme remained true. The illustrations are pleasing and I recommend this book to Arthurian fans.

[Katie Dangle]

Title: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Author: Selina Hastings
Illustrator: Juan Wijngaard
Genre: Legend
Theme(s): Honor, Courage, Physical Strength, Chivalry, Purity
Opening line/sentence: IT WAS CHRISTMAS, and King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table were at Camelot.
Brief Book Summary: Sir Gawain, Kind Arthur’s Knight, is challenged by a Green Knight during a Christmas feast. The Green Knight allows Sir Gawain to strike him once with his sword as long as The Green Knight can return the hit exactly one year later. Sir Gawain sets out one year later on an adventure to find the Green Chapel where he is to meet the Green Knight. Sir Gawain comes across the home of Sir Bercilak where he spends some time before finally facing the Green Knight, where his knighthood is ultimately tested.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Chris Powling (Books for Keeps No. 11, November 1981)
This book almost had me reaching for the pepper and salt. It's not for the purist, let me say, who will refer us to the middle-English masterpiece, or, at the very least, to Brian Stone's line-by-line verse translation for Penguin. But how well Selina Hastings suggests both the prowess and the courtesie of the original...along with its marvellous jewel-like stateliness. You don't have to go along with every cut and thrust of her version to welcome it as a handsome introduction, for junior-age children, to one of the two best tales in the language. And has it ever been better illustrated? Juan Wijngaard's colour-plates are breathtaking---a blend of the decorative and the decorous that spans six centuries and makes the printed page feel as rich and dense as a tapestry. Perhaps Hastings and Wijngaard will now turn their attention to Chaucer's Pardoner's Tale. That's the other one, of course.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Pam Harwood (Books for Keeps No. 71, November 1991)
Sir Gawain is one of King Arthur's more gallant and romantic knights. This version is a rich introduction to a time-honoured tale. As a rule I avoid adaptations of classics, but this is retold with skill and sensitivity and much of the glory of the original is retained. The illustrations, in the style of ancient, illuminated manuscripts, are overwhelmingly beautiful; like glowing jewels they vie strongly with the text for first attention and give an air of authenticity. Incidentally they're a wonderful stimulus for art lessons.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews comment on the illustrations that connect perfectly with the setting and time of the story. I do feel that there a lot of words on a single page that can take away from the illustrations. The pictures add a lot to the story’s plot but may be overwhelmed with the massive amount of words per page. It is a very interesting story that can appeal to the junior-aged readers.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The major plot of this book revolves around chivalry and whether or not Sir Gawain is worthy of being a Knight. The plot expresses the importance of being true and faithful to not only your leader, but yourself as well. This story does incorporate the person against person plot, but also person against self. Sir Gawain questions his actions with Sir Bercilak’s wife and to be truthful when he faces the Green Knight. Sir Gawain prides himself in being a worthy knight, as he is tested throughout the story.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would use this book with older students. It is a longer story that incorporates a lot of words on one page. I would read this with my class where one student reads and then picks another student to read after until we finish. I would then use the main idea/plot of this story to introduce a writer’s workshop of what it means to truly be yourself and to be honorable. I will have them use examples from the story and their own lives as well to write a short description that they can share with their classmates.

[Sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is this book even for children? Because it contains references to bedsport and a beckoning temptress and potential cuckolding, so not sure about reading it to kiddos. I do think it is an authentic and capable retelling, though, so perhaps high schoolers may find it more to their tastes.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated retelling of this classic legend, which comes complete with a moral. Recommended.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, though I was a little disappointed that some of the gorier parts weren't illustrated. This is pretty text-heavy for a picture book, and some of the themes are, shall we say, a little mature. Though some of the plot elements were clearly softened for this format. I'm not sure if this book is as age-appropriate is it appears, but not all picture books are for the young 'uns.

This was my first encounter with this story, and I really needed something like this to help me familiarize myself with the classic story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Because that pretty little King Arthur book that I purchased over ten years ago isn't going to read itself. I enjoyed the story, and the illustrations were beautifully rendered.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to any collection! Beautiful illustrations and well written. Hardcover.
✨✨✨✨✨

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit this is a hard story to condense and render appropriate for children (um, the whole adultery theme?). But this book was a disappointment. The language, while clearly easier than the original old English, is still at the level of a 7th grader. And what 7th grader will pick up what is clearly a picture book? And speaking of the pictures, they're fine. But there are precious few of them. Who is the target audience here?

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another lovely illustrated book of a much older theme set in a King Arthus legend. The Green Knight is an ancient motif of nature's recycle and man's ultimate need to control it for agricultural purposes; but kids love the story of Gawain nearly loosing his life to defend his King.

[Talia Naddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago, and am currently re-reading it. I love the language and how the book flows. And what I mean is, old english = rad.

[Lynnae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous artwork. This is a liberal interpretation of the original poem, but since I already have the original, I wanted this book for the art, and that's its major selling point.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read, great pictures.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the art in this. An interesting tale of the King Arthur court.