[books 2008] Gilgamesh
Mar. 17th, 2008 09:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
inulro16. Gilgamesh: A new English version by Stephen Mitchell
Over the past few years, new editions of several of the major epics have come out, not least this, the mother of all epic. More or less literally.
It's not a new translation - Mitchell doesn't read any of the ancient languages. What he has done instead is study the extant versions and put together a good, readable version Gilgamesh for the general reader, with a good introduction and plentiful notes for anyone who wants to investigate further.
My only introduction to ancient middle eastern writing up to now is Penguin's Poems of Heaven and Hell from Ancient Mesopotamia, and even with notes it's hard, and confusing.
Mitchell's done an excellent job. It's clear and easy to follow, yet written in lyrical style that is recognisably ancient and epic, yet easy to read and relate to.
If you have any interest at all in This Sort of Thing, this is well worth checking out.
Over the past few years, new editions of several of the major epics have come out, not least this, the mother of all epic. More or less literally.
It's not a new translation - Mitchell doesn't read any of the ancient languages. What he has done instead is study the extant versions and put together a good, readable version Gilgamesh for the general reader, with a good introduction and plentiful notes for anyone who wants to investigate further.
My only introduction to ancient middle eastern writing up to now is Penguin's Poems of Heaven and Hell from Ancient Mesopotamia, and even with notes it's hard, and confusing.
Mitchell's done an excellent job. It's clear and easy to follow, yet written in lyrical style that is recognisably ancient and epic, yet easy to read and relate to.
If you have any interest at all in This Sort of Thing, this is well worth checking out.
