Gilgamesh : A New English Version

Rating:
Summary: A fluid and enjoyable meta-translation
Review: "The Epic of Gilgamesh" is an ancient classic that a person has several reasons re-read in every one of its inceptions. To name a few: each individual edition is compiled with some variation in the tablets, the translators supplement the lacunae uniquely, and newer versions might include newly uncovered and interesting details as the epigraphers continue to work away. It is also a relatively short book and clear in style, despite most efforts to overembellish it. What Mitchell has done is indeed useful, examining the several existing modern translations and synthesizing them into a contemporary edition that draws upon their individual strengths.

I recommend skipping most of the introduction if you are unfamiliar with the epic because Mitchell's summary, though quite good, fully spoils the story. Although do go back and read it after you have finished the main text to pick up on his worthwhile literary insights.

The endnotes are profuse, and Mitchell excerpts his primary sources in English when he has taken liberties with them. Flipping back and forth however, was tedious and detracted from the smoothness of his verse. I recommend reading the main text through once uninterrupted, and then checking the commentary upon attempting it a second time. At some points I believe that Mitchell has inserted too much sentiment not found in the original, such as with Humbaba's speech.

I was a bit annoyed to learn that the gold mask on the cover depicts Sargon of Akkad and not Gilgamesh (read M. Eileen Eisemann's review below) but regardless, this book remains an important work for its philological and philosophical value, and it is a fine shelf piece and a pleasant (re-)read on a lazy day.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but...
Review: ...I much preferred Ferry's verse translation of 1993. Mitchell's version is a fine place to start, and you can learn a lot through the introduction, but Ferry's brings you much closer to the feeling of the original. Like Shakespeare, Ferry's verse can be somewhat difficult to understand, but it rewards the reader for making the effort. Who wants to read Hamlet in modern English?
That said, I would not want to put anyone off getting Mitchell's version. If you've never read Gilgamesh, you're in for a treat. It goes to show how little the hopes and fears of humans have changed in 4000 years.

Rating:
Summary: A timeless story for everyone
Review: After reading this book, and then re-reading it, I felt compelled to write this review. I agree with some of the other reviewers that this version is not the best one to go for if you are seeking a translation in the style of the original. Although poetry can never be properly translated out of its original language, some versions do come closer to conveying the beauty and power of the base language.

This book, however, does something better than that. It makes what is one of the world's most timeless stories, and probably one of its most influential (through its partial transmission through subsequent regionally spawned religions), come alive again in an easy format and turn of phrase that guarantees accessibility for even the most casual of readers. It brought back to me the sheer enjoyment of the story; bringing unbidden to my thoughts the basic philosophical underpinnings of all major Western religions' beliefs.

Read it for the great story it is. Savor it, for the way it touches every mortal's ambition to live and experience more than time and nature allow. Remember it, for the timeless lesson it asks each person to teach themselves.


Rating:
Summary: Have only read the introduction so far but...
Review: I find it very interesting that in the second paragraph of the introduction, the author takes a shot at President Bush with respect to the war in Iraq. Everyone has an axe to grind I suppose. I am disappointed, but will read on.

Rating:
Summary: Transcending 21st century perversity and politics
Review: I have not yet read this translation of the most ancient world epic but I have read the introduction and "dipped in" here and there. And I have read most every other translation available in English. Maybe I should wait to write this review but I feel a bit of urgency, especially if writing this review will encourage some of my fellow "Westerners" ,(and perhaps also some "Near-Easterner" readers), to buy this translation, or any other translation of Gilgamesh for that matter.
I would like to comment for a moment on Stephen Mitchell's introduction which begins: "In Iraq when the dust blows, stopping men and tanks, it brings with it memories of an ancient world, much older than Islam or Christianity. Western civilization originated from that place between the Tigris and the Euphrates, where Hammurabi created his legal code and where Gilgamesh was written -- the oldest story in th world..." Herein,(I am presuming, perhaps pretentiously),is a part of the "point" of why S.Mitchell translated this text now and in this particular political climate. What we are doing when we attack and destroy the "cradle of civilization", (as Mitchell's careful mention of tanks in the opening sentence alludes to), which is modern-day Iraq, is really destroying the very birth place of humanity, which is what Gilgamesh is archetypally a tale of -- becoming more human through intelligence, compassion and love, a basic human vision that transecends geography, history, culutre and religion. The Gilgamesh epic is a testament to the basic, beautiful commanilities of all humanity. Read it for this reason alone. Mitchell's elegant, yet simple and eminently readable style is only, (but not merely), the proverbial "icing on the cake".

Rating:
Summary: Not a translation but a "version"
Review: I made the considerable error of reading the introduction first. This lenghty and tiresome opinion piece quoted from his version of this epic poem liberally. In fact so liberally, that I almost lost interest in reading the poem itself. When I finally summoned up enough courage to read it after being bored to death by the introduction, I found a poem deviod of music or elegance. His use of modernisms reminds one of the differences between reading the King James version of the Bible and many of the modern translations. Finally, it should be pointed out (as the author does) that this is not a new translation but a "version" cobbled together from other author's works. Skip this one and read one of the more classic true translations.

Rating:
Summary: Epic of Gilga-mess
Review: If you enjoy well-translated poetry, read the first few pages of Mitchell's translation before you buy this book. What you may find is that this version reads like a translation of a poem that is ten years old, at the most.

Mitchell's writing seems to have no poetic vigor that is characteristic of many other translations of Gilgamesh - or similar works for the matter. Reading this version is like looking at a wooden miniature, carved with an axe - it's coarse and unrefined. Annoyances range from his use of rather odd, modernistic similes, to his usage of miles instead of cubits, and my biggest pet peeve - removal of long, word-for-word-similar passages in some parts, while preserving those in others.

If you're anything more than a casual reader, I strongly recommend another translation. Mitchell's version is inconsistent and crude, at best.

Rating:
Summary: Gilgamesh - An Outstanding Translation
Review: This book is a must for all readers. I was at first shocked at how erotic this book is - but it also brings out Biblical references (e.g. the great flood). It has Love, Compassion, War, Peace, Understanding and is a Classic that all should read. I received the CD version - and the reader was outstanding. I have now listened to it twice and will again. There is also an explanation from the author which is concise and informative. Buy this book - Buy it Now

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a highly readable version of the Babylonian epic Gilgamesh. Mitchell has translated the original into free-flowing, vivid verse. Because the poem has come to us in fragments, any translation is also a reconstruction. While only a scholar in this area can be sure, Mitchell's version seems appropriately close to the original. The story of Gilgamesh is the eternal story of the human confrontation with the reality of inevitable mortality. Accompanying the text of the poem is a nice introduction about the poem and its theme. There are fine Notes in which Mitchell lays out his choices for translation and a short but adequate bibliography. As a final bonus, this is a very handsomely produced book. My only complaint is that the notes are not cited in the text of the poem.

Rating:
Summary: A Tale As Old As Time
Review: This is an incredible read. Mitchell really took the time to craft a smooth-flowing story. The adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu are very interesting, and the introduction is very informative.