quisby's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic translation by Dorothy L Sayers. It’s been over tern years since I read this poem. I find it quite powerful.
redheadreading's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
2.75
Not one of my faves, but certainly interesting from a medieval literary tradition perspective. I think it's always going to be hard to stomach such a one-dimensional attitude to medieval perspectives on Muslims. Some quite fun battle imagery and metaphors, but on the whole not really my jam. Do kinda ship Roland and Oliver tho????
heiditighe's review against another edition
I think I can review this book without offending the author. (If not, something much more interesting is going on here.) It's not light bedtime reading, but it was interesting to see the poetic conventions. I was especially intrigued that the whiteness of many characters' beards was described as a physically beautiful feature because it represented valued wisdom.
Probably not a must-read for most of my friends, but it's short and comprehensible, so if for some reason (other than sheer nerdiness) you need to pick up an epic poem, this one's a good choice.
Probably not a must-read for most of my friends, but it's short and comprehensible, so if for some reason (other than sheer nerdiness) you need to pick up an epic poem, this one's a good choice.
muhly22's review against another edition
4.0
A very good story, though it's obviously exaggerated the importance of the combat that occurred (which is fine...Homer did the same thing, after all).
Although an epic poem, it's really not like Homer's work. It's definitely a creature of the middle ages, and definitely meant for oral communication (reading it aloud is much more satisfying than keeping it to yourself).
Although an epic poem, it's really not like Homer's work. It's definitely a creature of the middle ages, and definitely meant for oral communication (reading it aloud is much more satisfying than keeping it to yourself).
fakespy87's review against another edition
3.0
I probably would have enjoyed it more when I was younger.
vthecreature's review against another edition
this is like top gun:maverick for medieval frankish nobles
autiger239's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I enjoyed the story, but it felt like it dragged on unnecessarily. I also prefer translations that are done in modern vernacular not ones, like this one, that try to preserve the elements of the poem as the translator's first priority.