Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

by James Winny (Editor and Translator)

170 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still puzzling and thought-provoking, at least as much if not more-so than it was 20 years ago when I first read it in university. Was humble-bragging and virtue-signalling a thing 700 years ago? Sir Gawain indicates that yes, perhaps it was. A story worth studying to be sure, both for its beautiful Old English alliteration (which is thankfully paired with an excellent translation and explanatory notes) and its amazing story-telling which has informed so much of our modern story-telling today: an impossible quest, a fantastical foe, trickery and flirtatious romance that does not come without some serious strings attached! And who is Gawain underneath it all? A virtuous knight in shining armour, or a courtier with a besmirched reputation that he refuses to own?

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this was like pulling teeth so I’m marking it on Goodreads. Sue me if you wish.

Fellas, is it GAY to trick a handsome knight into passionately making out with you?

[Sierra Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appeared quite disjointed. Everyone was painfully self-indulgent. There was a lot of men kissing.

[Sylve · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright.
Lots of descriptions for the equivalent of the Green Giant seen on the green bean cans. However, the orginal stories would have been told orally, and the descriptions make sense.
It was amusing how they really described the hunts in great detail, but they zoomed over the dragon battles.