Reviews

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl and Sir Orfeo by J.R.R. Tolkien

mishabow's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

elisa13's review against another edition

3.0

Di sicuro quest’opera è lo specchio esatto dell’epoca in cui è stato scritto. Amor cortese, cavalleria, onore sono i capisaldi e il filo narrante, così come il cristianesimo è altro pilastro fondamentale di tutto lo scritto.
Certamente questa non è una lettura “leggera” ne facile, adatta a chi è già avvezzo ai principi della scrittura medievale. Ciò nonostante, per lo meno mella riedizione elaborata da J. R. R. Tolkien è godibile anche a chi si affaccia a questo genere per la prima volta con mente aperta.

loudrianvs's review

Especially Sir Orfeo was really interesting :D

acornett99's review against another edition

4.0

4 stars for Gawain and Orfeo
2 stars for Pearl

Pearl was just too heavy-handed with the Christianity, but I enjoyed the structure of the poem

Gawain and Orfeo were both good fun. I love the tongue-twistyness of Gawain, and even the descriptions of the hunting and the feasts I really enjoyed. Orfeo was fun and bouncy, a fresh take on the Greek classic 

kookeybird's review against another edition

3.0

An epic poem about a man that can kiss on your wife, and then kiss on you, and then basically go “well who can blame me? Women have been tempting men in the Bible since Eve was conceived-“ and he gets a cool belt from it that shows he’s at least a little embarrassed for his transgressions. 

lizziestudieshistory's review against another edition

4.0

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: 5/5

Pearl: 2/5

Sir Orfeo: 3/5

whattalo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

The only reason I knew what was going on was because I had just seen the 2021 movie, The Green Knight. Pearl was an extremely sad story. I understand Sir Orfeo the most, happy that I listen to an audiobook and not tried to read the older styles of English like it’s translated to be. 

fairywren's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

pithingcontest's review

adventurous lighthearted

3.25

[6.5/10] Good fun. Read for Brit Lit

odd_biscuit's review against another edition

3.0

I find Pearl a bit of a slog, by it's very nature. Gawain and The Green Knight is great, except it's narrative is broken for modern readers by bafflingly long digressions to describe hunting scenes and the dressing of the dead animals. This is fascinating, though, for those who want a detailed picture of how those activities were done in the 14th century. Detailed descriptions of armour and clothing herein are rewarding for the same reason.

Tolkien's own Sir Orfeo is delightful; a retelling of Orpheus in the Underworld in a medieval setting. For pure storytelling enjoyment, it's the easiest read in this volume by far, with clear language and engaging rhythm.