mau reviewed Gilgamesh by Sophus Helle
Great translation
4 stars
This is the best translation I've read yet of Gilgamesh - very accessible language, understandable and heartfelt despite the gaps in time, space and text.
The essays after the story provide invaluable insights and explanations for some of the themes, imagery, and differences between versions and interpretations which are sometimes reflected in the translation as side-by-side interpretations.
All in all, I think the book accomplishes what it sets out to do, providing a valuable translation that maintains it's artistic literary value and guidance for newcomers to the story to start "studying the brickwork".
This is the best translation I've read yet of Gilgamesh - very accessible language, understandable and heartfelt despite the gaps in time, space and text.
The essays after the story provide invaluable insights and explanations for some of the themes, imagery, and differences between versions and interpretations which are sometimes reflected in the translation as side-by-side interpretations.
All in all, I think the book accomplishes what it sets out to do, providing a valuable translation that maintains it's artistic literary value and guidance for newcomers to the story to start "studying the brickwork".