Rating: 
Summary: One of the best
Review: J.R.R. Tolkien is best known as a fantasy writer. But his lesser-known profession was that of an professor and linguist, working at Oxford for over three decade. These three translated poems are excellent examples of his non-Middle-Earth work."Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is a relatively little-known Arthurian legend, in which the knight Sir Gawain must forfeit his life to a knight who allowed Gawain to behead him -- then picked up his head and rode out. "Pearl" is a beautifully written, though somewhat more difficult to read, poem that chronicles the death of a child (possibly allegorical). "Sir Orfeo" is a version of the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Tolkien's method for these works is unusually readable -- most translators sacrifice either readability or meaning; as far as I can tell, Tolkien sacrificed neither. "Sir Gawain" is probably the easiest translation I have come across; "Pearl" is haunting, laced with religious references, and very beautifully written; "Orfeo" is not so substantial as the first two, but still entertaining. It's a bit like a medieval ballad. This book is not so much for fans of Middle-Earth, as for fans of all Tolkien's works. Beautifully written, highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Not just a fantasy writer
Review: Most people know about Tolkien mainly through his LOTR books. Tolkien was also a very competent linguist. These books show his abilities as a translator at his best. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Not just a fantasy writer
Review: Most people know about Tolkien mainly through his LOTR books. Tolkien was also a very competent linguist. These books show his abilities as a translator at his best. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: I laughed, I cried, it was better than "Cats!"
Review: One of the best fables about medieval times that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Rating:
Summary: Great ME text
Review: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the most famous Middle English works. This edition contains NOT Tolkien's TRANSLATION, but the original MIDDLE ENGLISH TEXT with his (and late prof. E.V. Gordon's) glossary and notes.
Their edition was published in 1925, and revised by Norman Dabis in 1967. It still remains the most authoritative and standard text. I strongly suggest that students who study this alliterative poem buy this great Middle English text. The language is quite difficult so you also need Tolkien's Present Day English translation version (on HarperCollins, Ballantine Books,etc).
Rating: 
Summary: Good in parts
Review: Terry Jones was fine in Monty Python, but I'm afraid his reading leaves something to be desired.He has trouble with his 'r's, with detract from the story.He puts commendable energy into his reading.Tolkien's translation is very lively, but after a while I began to tire of his copious alliterations.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece of Literature
Review: This book gets five stars because it contains "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" - not because Tolkien translated it (although that probably helps) "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is one of the masterpieces of the English language, one of those books we are asked to read in school over and over again (I personally read in in 12th grade AP English, my freshman year Arthurian legends class and Introduction to British Lit. my sophomore year). At first it is hard to read and you wonder why it is a legend. Then I read it out loud, the words sounded better than they read. I also began looking into the mythology behind the story (why Troy is important in the first lines for instance). In the end, I have come to love this poem. To be honest, although I like this edition quite a bit, I haven't gotten around to reading the other two poems. I mean to though, any time now.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece of Literature
Review: This book gets five stars because it contains "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" - not because Tolkien translated it (although that probably helps) "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is one of the masterpieces of the English language, one of those books we are asked to read in school over and over again (I personally read in in 12th grade AP English, my freshman year Arthurian legends class and Introduction to British Lit. my sophomore year). At first it is hard to read and you wonder why it is a legend. Then I read it out loud, the words sounded better than they read. I also began looking into the mythology behind the story (why Troy is important in the first lines for instance). In the end, I have come to love this poem. To be honest, although I like this edition quite a bit, I haven't gotten around to reading the other two poems. I mean to though, any time now.
Rating:
Summary: A nice surprise
Review: This is what I was expecting going into "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight": A boring tale about knights of the roundtable, and 86 pages of knights doing knight stuff. Instead, I got a surprising fable of temptation and perfection. Graphic imagery is used throughout, and the first few pages are kind of nutty. However, it becomes a nice feel-good story with an important moral at the end.
Rating:
Summary: Tolkien's Literary Achievements have no boundaries....
Review: Tolkien is a Legend, that thousands of authors have striven to be compared with--yet, none have accomplished the task of out-doing his work. Tolkien is the master and creator of the genre...and the way interest in education is dropping, his position appears to be permanent and unchallengeable. However, many people do not know about this book of translations, by Prof. Tolkien. You can refer to my reviews of the Hobbit and The Trilogy, for more info about his teaching positions and language skills. My copy of this book is yellow, with age, but the book is still as beautiful inside, as it is on the outside. If you love Poetry, or stories of Knights, Romance and Chivalry...or Holy Quests...you'll love this book. If your Tolkien fan does not have this one on the shelf, their collection is incomplete.
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