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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

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About this listen

 The famous Middle English poem by an anonymous Northern England poet is beautifully translated by fellow poet Simon Armitage. This audiobook features a brilliant reading of the translation by Bill Wallis; as a bonus, Wallis also masterfully tackles the poem in its original Middle English text.

"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" narrates in crystalline verse the strange tale of a green knight who rudely interrupts the Round Table festivities one Yuletide, casting a pall of unease over the company and challenging one of their number to a wager. The virtuous Gawain accepts and then decapitates the intruder with his own axe. Gushing blood, the knight reclaims his head, orders Gawain to seek him out a year hence, and departs. Next Yuletide, Gawain dutifully sets forth. His quest for the Green Knight involves a winter journey, a seduction scene in a dream-like castle, a dire challenge answered, and a drama of enigmatic reward disguised as psychic undoing.

©2007 Simon Armitage (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Classics Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction World Literature Witty Arthurian England

What the critics say

"'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' is one of the eerie, exuberant joys of Middle English poetry....Simon Armitage has given us an energetic, free-flowing, high-spirited version. He reminds us that 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' still wields an uncanny power after 600 years." ( The New York Times Book Review)
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Medievalist call this a masterpiece and yes it is.

The Audiobook begins with some author notes, which is always appreciated. I like to know more about the books I read or listen to. Not only that, Simon Armitage explains why he translated the text as he did.

Then, the audiobook goes to the text itself. Anyone you likes King Arthur or mythology should read this text. It’s a great story. As most Arthurian text, King Arthur is barely in this, but he has such a presence and he seems so joyous and fun. Also, Sir Gawain is my favourite king of the round table and this is one of my favourite versions of Gawain. When I first listened to this, I was a little shocked by the anti-climatic ending but the more I listens to the text, the more I love it. It’s actually funny. Be honourable and honest, however we are not perfect especially when we don’t want to die. As long as the reasons are honourable, it’s okay not to be perfect.

Then, the audiobook goes into the Middle English original version of the text. While it’s hard to actually understand the Middle English, it’s nice to fall asleep too. It has a nice melody that helps me sleep.

I loved Simon Armitage’s translation so much, not only did I buy the physical book, I bought his other Arthurian translation, the Alliterative Mort D’Arthur.

I Love This

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Read this after seeing the new movie. great translation and really good reader. def a classic worth your time

great story

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