Epic Poems Read Along! discussion

All, Chaplain Walle has asked that I post the following message to the group:

We are going to start reading Jason and the Golden Fleece on Monday.

Oh. I thought we were doing Beowulf?

This one is not a poem though?! Jason and the Golden Fleece I just got it. But it appears all in prose, even if with some rhythm to it. Is there an actual poetic translation somewhere?

RS wrote: "The original was epic poetry, I think some of the English translations are in prose."

I had an issue trying to find a verse translation of The Iliad along with other epic poetry that had been translated into prose instead of keeping their original. From what I've observed, it's the same story but the format is different.

It's just I wish that the synopsis of these editions labelled the books as the verse or prose editions. I got a recent (I think?) edition of the Oxford Classics of this book as well. The fact that a member has stated it's translated in prose instead of verse makes me a little nervous, but as I'm running on a budget, I grabbed the first copy of the book that was affordable when I hunted around for a copy on Amazon.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to a really good secondhand bookshop. The one that was in the city I was living in when I was going to school had an amazing selection of classics since university students would drop off their unwanted books that they didn't need to study anymore.

Ah well, have to make due with what we've got, right? My copy is coming in via mail next week... and let me tell you, I'm super excited to read it even though I am worried it's a prose translation and not in verse. :/

I could not find a print version in either verse or prose at my county library, so I may not be participating.

RS wrote: "Here is the RC Seaton translation on Project Gutenberg. Don't know that it is the best version, but it is free! https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/830"

Thanks for sharing that, RS !

I wish I could join you but I had a house flood; the repairs are done and I'm unpacking contents but I haven't come across my copy yet. It might be too late once I find it. My library doesn't have it.

RS wrote: "Oh no! Sorry to hear that Cleo!"

Thanks for the sympathy. I lost about 150-200 books, some of them first edition C.S. Lewis & G.K. Chesterton and other rare volumes. But it certainly could have been worse. Just lots of work getting everything back to "normal" again!

Cleo wrote: "I wish I could join you but I had a house flood; the repairs are done and I'm unpacking contents but I haven't come across my copy yet. It might be too late once I find it. My library doesn't have it."

Oh NOOOOO
So sorry

Zina wrote: "Oh NOOOOO
So sorry ..."

Thanks, Zina! This time I'm keeping my bookshelves away from the ceiling where the main line is. :-W

Cleo wrote: "I wish I could join you but I had a house flood; the repairs are done and I'm unpacking contents but I haven't come across my copy yet. It might be too late once I find it. My library doesn't have it."

Oh no! I hope that you're okay, Cleo. I think that you can participate at any time in this one? Is there a time limit to when we can participate in group reads on the community?

Cleo wrote: "RS wrote: "Oh no! Sorry to hear that Cleo!"

Thanks for the sympathy. I lost about 150-200 books, some of them first edition C.S. Lewis & G.K. Chesterton and other rare volumes. But it certainly co..."

Oh God... No... I am so very sorry, Cleo. I know how hard it is when you lose books because of things beyond your control. How have you been doing, though? How are you feeling?

Okay, so I got my copy of Jason and the Golden Fleece and have compared it to the ebook that has been kindly linked to us (The Argonautica) since I was worried for a minute that I had the wrong book.

Not sure which version to read here. The translation I have is by Richard Hunter. Anyone reading this version or have already read this one?

Tiffany wrote: "Cleo wrote: "RS wrote: "Oh no! Sorry to hear that Cleo!"

Thanks for the sympathy. I lost about 150-200 books, some of them first edition C.S. Lewis & G.K. Chesterton and other rare volumes. But it..."

That's very kind of you, Tiffany, I appreciate your concern. I'm doing well, only slightly frustrated that I can't find my copy of Argonautica. I just look at all the books that weren't damaged and am thankful for that. While it wasn't the best outcome, things like this help you put life in perspective and, I think, make you more thankful.

Oo I LOVVE this myth!!

Started to read this yesterday. Just 15% in. It's a bit wordy and that is slowing me down. Think I need to digest this in small doses.

I've read 27% in and Im just not enjoying this at all. I don't think I have the right mindset for these classic works. Sorry to bail out, but I'm done.