Ywain: The Knight of the Lion

Rating:
Summary: Translation as it ought to be
Review: This is an amazing translation of the poem. While most translators will convert the peice to prose, Raffel keeps to Chretien's original format and has developed a unique English poetic style to compliment the French. The translation captures all of Chretien's wit and playfulness by keeping the cadence of the poem light but never sing-songy. I cannot reccomend this translation enough!

Rating:
Summary: One of the most enjoyable Medieval romances I've read
Review: This translation of the Medieval romance of Yvain by Chretien De Troyes is one of the most enjoyable medieval romances I've ever read. While many romances are actually thinly disguised moralistic alegory, this tale reads out like an adventure story, and easily grabs the reader's attention. It is a wonderful example how something that was written over 800 years ago can still be enjoyable today, and how, while the world around us changes, great storytelling remains great storytelling.

Rating:
Summary: novel romances beat romance novels
Review: When I started this book, an assignment for a college class, I did not anticipate any difficulties putting it down. I expected awkward style and one-dimensional, if archetypal, characters. Instead, I found the opposite. Raffel's translation does an excellent job of highlighting the simple beauty of Chretien's poem, and the characters are interesting and human. And, perhaps most importantly, with a slight suspension of disbelief, Yvain is an entertaining tale of adventure.