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Sir Gawain & The Green Knight

Translated by Bernard O'Donoghue

Reviewed by Lorenzo Princi
Sir Gawain & The Green Knight by Translated by Bernard O'Donoghue
Cover Concept by Lorenzo Princi, 29 March 2012
I am called Gawain, I who offer you this blow, whatever comes after. Twelve months from now I'll take one from you with what weapon you choose, and from nobody else alive.

There are many famous tales from the court of King Arthur, and while less commonly retold, Sir Gawain & The Green Knight, is romantic epic poem no less valid, or exciting than any other.

A mysterious green knight appears at Camelot with a challenge for the court. His terms; he will allow himself to be struck once without defence, so long as that he may return the blow the following year. Though decapitated by Sir Gawain, the court watches in awe as the stranger collected his own severed head before riding away.

Gawain is left to honour the challenge and his adventure begins when he rides to find the Green Knight and meet his destiny, facing perils both physical and of will along the way.

The writing is beautiful and simple in the sense you can imagine it being told by a camp fire or in a great hall. The description is grand, the heroes grander and the Green Knight larger still. For any reader who enjoys chivalry, knights in shining armour, high adventure, fantasy and mediaeval fairy tales.

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