A call for epic poetry/prose recommendations! - Page 2

FlorenceArt · 10-27-2010, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclops

Oh I don't want to buy e-books-i want them free!

But seriously, I wouldn't buy a book I knew nothing about, and if I had to spend money on a book it would be a real book.

Em, no offense but what's the use of starting a thread like this if you are going to reject any suggestion you didn't know about before?

I'm not suggesting you buy any book whose name is thrown here, but the whole point of a thread like this is getting suggestions for books you had never heard of before. You can read reviews (I believe a link was provided), comments on Amazon or social sites such as librarything, or read an excerpt before buying (Amazon is usually a good source for this).

ctol · 10-28-2010, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

There are of course three "definitive" epics which I'd recommend everyone to read: Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey", and Virgil's "Aeneid". They are among the cornerstones of Western literature.

Harry I would also add to your list The Mahabharata, The Enuma Elish, The Epic Of Gilgamesh, The Ramayana, and The Fairie Queen. I think these and many others are also essential epic poems that should be read as well.

FlorenceArt · 10-28-2010, 03:12 AM

I've had Beowulf on my "stuff to read some day" list for some time. There was a new modern translation published a few years ago. I suppose that could fit in the "epic" category?

HarryT · 10-28-2010, 11:54 AM

Yes, Beowolf is undoubtedly an epic.

eoin.noble · 10-28-2010, 12:10 PM

I can only second Virgil and Homer. Derek Walcott's Omeros is a great modern reworking of the latter. Also really enjoyed the Poetic and Prose Eddas, Norse mythology. Lady Gregory rewrote a lot of the old Celtic myths about Cú Chulainn as well. Others that I haven't gotten around to reading might be Goethe's Faust and Dante's Divine Comedy.

GeoffC · 10-28-2010, 12:41 PM

eoin

Welcome to mobileread....

ctol · 10-28-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

I've had Beowulf on my "stuff to read some day" list for some time. There was a new modern translation published a few years ago. I suppose that could fit in the "epic" category?

The translation you are thinking of is by Seamus Heany. It is probably one of the best translations available right now. Also, if you want a very good translation that can be downloaded for free located right here in the MR forum, check out the one Gunmere one. Here are the links:

http://inkmesh.com/ebooks/beowulf-se...+Seamus+Heaney

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22247

You can also find the Gunmere at Manybooks.net and Project Gutenburg as well.

FlorenceArt · 10-28-2010, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctol

The translation you are thinking of is by Seamus Heany. It is probably one of the best translations available right now. Also, if you want a very good translation that can be downloaded for free located right here in the MR forum, check out the one Gunmere one. Here are the links:

http://inkmesh.com/ebooks/beowulf-se...+Seamus+Heaney

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22247

You can also find the Gunmere at Manybooks.net and Project Gutenburg as well.

Thank you, yes, that is the one I was thinking of. I already have the Gunmere translation, I think, somewhere on my hard drive, plus another one, both uploaded by Patricia. Haven't read any of them yet though

GeoffC · 10-29-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

Thank you, yes, that is the one I was thinking of. I already have the Gunmere translation, I think, somewhere on my hard drive, plus another one, both uploaded by Patricia. Haven't read any of them yet though

I may have to re-visit the epic at some time, I found it hard to 'get into'.

FlorenceArt · 10-29-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

I may have to re-visit the epic at some time, I found it hard to 'get into'.

It's hard to get into really old texts, I think. So much of the context and frame of mind is lost to us.

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10-28-2010, 03:12 AM	#18
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	I've had Beowulf on my "stuff to read some day" list for some time. There was a new modern translation published a few years ago. I suppose that could fit in the "epic" category?

10-28-2010, 11:54 AM	#19
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, Beowolf is undoubtedly an epic.

10-28-2010, 12:10 PM	#20
eoin.noble Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: iPad/iPhone	I can only second Virgil and Homer. Derek Walcott's Omeros is a great modern reworking of the latter. Also really enjoyed the Poetic and Prose Eddas, Norse mythology. Lady Gregory rewrote a lot of the old Celtic myths about Cú Chulainn as well. Others that I haven't gotten around to reading might be Goethe's Faust and Dante's Divine Comedy.

10-28-2010, 12:41 PM	#21
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	eoin Welcome to mobileread....

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