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11th out of 135 books
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16 voters
Tristan: With the Surviving Fragments of the 'Tristan of Thomas'
Gottfried's version of this legendary romance--in which Tristan and Isolde chance to drink a magic potion that causes them to fall in love--portrays Tristan in the round as an attractive and sophisticated pre-Renaissance man. While Gottfried adheres faithfully to the events as set down by Thomas, his chosen source, he is correct over questions of Chrisianity and religion,...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
July 30th 1960
by Penguin Classics
(first published 1210)
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تریستان و ایزولت، افسانه ای رمانتیک و تراژیک از قرن دوازدهم میلادی ست که ابتدا در ادبیات شاعرانه ی فرانسه و با الهام از ریشه ی سلتی (اقوام سلت از ریشه ی هند و اروپایی که در قرون وسطا بیشتر به ایرلندی ها اطلاق می شد) ظاهر شد. بعدن روایت های مختلفی از آن حکایت شده، که مشهورترین آن از "عالیجناب توماس مالروی" است. ماجرای اصلی رابطه ی عاشقانه ی یک شوالیه ی دربار (تریستان) و ملکه ی انگلستان (ایزولد) است که خیانتی ست به ضلع سوم این رابطه، یعنی شاه. این افسانه بر بسیاری از افسانه های مشابه در قرون وسطا،...more
Great Passages:
"Into her thoughts she had received him, he had come into her heart, and in the kingdom of her heart wore crown and sceptre with despotic sway."
"For now he laid hold of a new life, a new life was given him; so that he changed his whole cast of mind and became quite a different man, since all that he did was chequered with strangeness and blindness."
"In any event, she would have perished and died of her sorrow, had not hope refreshed her and expectancy buoyed her up, set as she was...more
"Into her thoughts she had received him, he had come into her heart, and in the kingdom of her heart wore crown and sceptre with despotic sway."
"For now he laid hold of a new life, a new life was given him; so that he changed his whole cast of mind and became quite a different man, since all that he did was chequered with strangeness and blindness."
"In any event, she would have perished and died of her sorrow, had not hope refreshed her and expectancy buoyed her up, set as she was...more
A very, very pleasant English translation by A. T. Hatto. Much recommended if you want to know how Gottfried von Strassburg's tale ends, as this includes the fragments of the 'Tristran' by Thomas de Bretagne, on whose version Gottfried's version was supposedly based. By a stroke of luck, we have the complete text by Gottfried (2/3 of the story), and history has left us the last 1/3 of Thomas' version too. Hatto here presents the whole tale, as best as he can, by combining several sources.
It rea...more
It rea...more
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I really liked this. I thought the translation was very good: it's engaging and interesting and doesn't get too dry, as some translations are prone to doing. Of course, it seems like a lot of that is down to the original text, which I do wish I could experience. But the translation is well done, I think. The descriptions are gorgeous, in places, and the imagery is lovely.
I really enjoyed learning about Tristan's history, too, with his foster father and how he grows up. He's a bit of a "Gary Stu"...more
I really enjoyed learning about Tristan's history, too, with his foster father and how he grows up. He's a bit of a "Gary Stu"...more
Very good translation.
The book is made from 2 manuscript sources translated and merged: the Von Strassburg (circa 1210 and based on the Thomas manuscript) and the Thomas (circa 1160), by a quirk of fate the surviving fragments of T’s picking up where the Von S stops, both very different in tone. Flows very well on the whole with a slight jarring as the text changes authors.
The tale predates even the Thomas manuscript but no one seems sure of the first date for it, there are many parallels betwee...more
The book is made from 2 manuscript sources translated and merged: the Von Strassburg (circa 1210 and based on the Thomas manuscript) and the Thomas (circa 1160), by a quirk of fate the surviving fragments of T’s picking up where the Von S stops, both very different in tone. Flows very well on the whole with a slight jarring as the text changes authors.
The tale predates even the Thomas manuscript but no one seems sure of the first date for it, there are many parallels betwee...more
Gottfried von Strassburg’s Tristan (with Thomas’ ending as Gottfried never finished it) is the first “romance” I’ve read for my Arthurian Romance class that I actually enjoyed.
Gottfried’s story is longer than Chrétien de Troyes’ and more focused than Gregory of Monmouth’s, so that he is able to really construct interesting characters and an emotionally intriguing plot. Though generally Gottfried’s characters are the problematic but idealized knights and damsels (both attractive, desired, courtly...more
Gottfried’s story is longer than Chrétien de Troyes’ and more focused than Gregory of Monmouth’s, so that he is able to really construct interesting characters and an emotionally intriguing plot. Though generally Gottfried’s characters are the problematic but idealized knights and damsels (both attractive, desired, courtly...more
Beautiful. It has been far too long since I have read a love story like this. Not in any way for the faint of hearted, who might quail at the sight of page-long paragraphs where the author muses upon all that comes with love, the good and the bad, Tristan is for a reader who wants to sit and exist with a tale, allowing it to flow all around them and encourage their imagination.
What a great and beautiful story!
What a great and beautiful story!
Finished my pre-opera study - definitely a great story, and I expect to get hate mail for saying something bad about a classic - but I felt the translation was difficult reading - the translation didn't stick to the poetic form and as a result felt repetitive at times in it's strict translation.
Surprisingly interesting and slightly risque read for Medieval German literature. One of the more interesting versions of the book/story that I've read. A bit verbose in some parts, like about 2 pages when he is talking about some of his contemporary writers, and while I enjoy a few personal quips from the narrator about some things, he occasionally dragged on a bit too far on random points and tended to repeat himself while on his tangents about love.
Very readable, Gottfried's snark comes across well.
My professor took issue with the translation of the prologue, so parts may not be up to snuff if you're in the field. I enjoyed it though.
My professor took issue with the translation of the prologue, so parts may not be up to snuff if you're in the field. I enjoyed it though.
A quite readable account of the Tristan story. Not as much action as in the Arthurian romances. Here the focus is on fate, fidelity, treachory, and love.
Jul 27, 2011
Cecelia
added it
Much more interesting than Chretien de Troyes or The History of the Kings of Britain. "Modern" in story line.
I read this for my medieval lit class in college, and it was good. It is the original story of Tristan and Isolde, and while the story is fantastic, the archaic language does take a little bit of effort to work through.
I'd give the story itself 3 stars. There was so many events in the story that frustrated me, but it did hold my attention. This particular translation is what brought the overall rating down to 2 stars. Straussburg's original text was written as a poem. I knew when I chose this prose translation that I was sacrificing something, but I compromised, thinking that I would move faster and be more interested in the narrative. The use of modern idioms such as "whippped out and his sword" (and others I...more
This is the best version of the Tristan story, and Hatto's translation is masterful--it reads like a novel.
Loved this book. LOVED the story. All around one of my favorite stories!
The greatest romance I've ever had the fortune to read.
I'm not a huge fan of medieval lit; however, out of all of the books I read in this class, Tristan was my favorite. The movie came out a few months after I read the book, which was great entertainment. The movie was so bad, all I did was laugh through it.
The story of Tristan and Isolde was mined by Wagner and influenced Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It's a great book, especially for fans of King Arthur (Tristan is tangentially connected to the King Arthur cycle) and medieval literature.
The story of Tristan and Isolde has been told time and time again, but Gottfried's version is one of the oldest. This is a fun medieval story, with plenty of love and intrigue, that will please fans of the classics. 4 stars, recommended.
Well, actually I liked it really, because it was easier to read than I thought. Additionally, I was surprised how exciting and beautiful this kind of story (in lyrics) could be. But as I expected a real novel there was a bit disappointment ...
Excellent source material, and very illuminating in terms of attitudes and the psychology of people "back in the day". A little lumpy in prose style, but given the century in which the work was written, that's forgiven.
I enjoy the early middle ages much more than the late middle ages. The sagas are gripping, but the romances, even the german ones, are a bit to floofy for my tastes. Lots of clothes and swooning and such.
I love the tale of Tristan and Isolde and this is a great one to read!
Cute love story. Even though its all magic to make the love happen.
May 19, 2013
Scott Hogan
marked it as to-read
May 18, 2013
David
marked it as to-read
May 17, 2013
Michael
marked it as to-read
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