Stephen Mitchell's Epic Tale of Gilgamesh: A Fresh, New English Translation

jme: Brilliant and beautiful beyond belief.

United States on Oct 05, 2023

Kindle Customer: I had tried to read the "standard" version of this epic tale, but found it slow-going. Mitchell has produced an authentic product (as described in the notes) that is easy to read. The preface gives an interesting overview, comparing this work with other pieces of literature. If somebody reads this story as a religious work they will be disappointed, but if they view it as literature they will find it enjoyable.

United States on Apr 29, 2023

David Panda: I had never read Gilgamesh until this week. I could not put it down. The translation was superb, and this 3000 year old work of art just jumps off the page. It took us about 2900 years to piece together the story, and it is is priceless. Please read it. It is a 199 page free verse poem written in novel form.

United States on Apr 04, 2023

Brian Greer: 4000 years ago, the Epic of Gilgamesh started to be recorded. When you read it, it is apparent that the themes of the stories would not be out of place in current day films. Love, companionship, bravery, buddies, road trips, age, and loss are all a part of the story.

What I know of the art of translation, is that it is a challenging process at best. Even in concurrent modern languages, a joke or an idea may not be possible to directly translate word for word. One must seek the idea and the feeling being expressed.

I enjoyed this translation. It feels a little bit less academic, and a little bit more poetic than others I have read.

Canada on May 16, 2021

ItsTiaV: It took only 6 days from when I ordered to when it arrived today it was not damaged ruined or ripped in any way shape or form which I truly appreciate it was a great buy for a great price I am a very happy customer

Canada on Oct 21, 2020

Kristopher Yarish: I enjoyed the book and the author gave a good perspective into the story. The one thing I wish was different was that the introduction to the book was moved to after the translated story. The authors commentary on the story was good, but after reading through it when you get on to the actual story it feels as if you have already read the story. I wish I read the story first then read the introduction afterwards.

Canada on Aug 13, 2018

Gemba: Stephen Mitchell is always good to read. But what makes this book outstanding is his detailed introduction and explanation of its meaning and context, and also the detailed notes at the back. Of course the poem itself, as it has been reassembled by Mitchell, in his fluent and elegant version, which forms the core of the book, is what one seeks in the first place. I had heard so much about Gilgamesh, but this is the first version that makes it readily accessible, not obscure and difficult.

Canada on Apr 02, 2017

stuart mackintosh: This is really a great version of thus epic story. A perfect narration, and very pleading bonus material of Stephen taking listeners through the epic and making it even more accessible and thoroughly enjoyable. I really recommend it to anyone who may have heard the name Gilgamesh or Uruk and wants to know more. You will not be disappointed! The only fault I can find is with the CD case, where cds tend to fall out of the inner card insert in a nicely decorated card case. Not much of an issue though.

United Kingdom on Feb 01, 2016

David T.: My interest in ancient religions lead me to Gilgamesh. This is the Mitchell version, he's unable to read or translate from the cuneiform but instead took several literal and not so literal English translations, using them he created his own "version". From reading other reviews this has lead to mixed opinions, it seems that he was very loose with the translations and being so free bothers some of the purists. For me personally, I don't mind a very loose rendering, I plan to follow this up with the Andrew George edition and I got this easier to read version as a sort of commentary.

The introduction on this edition is some what long about 65 pages and he gives the entire plot summary for Gilgamesh, so if one is worried about spoilers then this should be saved for the end. I read it first and knowing the plot before hand didn't seem to hurt my opinion of the story. Most of the end notes are the more literal translations of certain passages that Mitchell was very free with, I read them but since I'm about to read another edition, I don't think it was worthwhile.

As for the Epic of Gilgamesh itself, it was a great read. The version was very easy to read and the story...

United States on May 14, 2012

C. E. Stevens: The Epic of Gilgamesh is a classic work of humankind, a tale rich in adventure, sensuality, and psychological depth and complexity. The narrator reaches out and grabs the reader immediately by inviting him or her to look around the mighty city of Uruk, to observe its walls, temples, and gardens (in our mind's eye, if nothing else)--all the works of the man-god Gilgamesh. Yet, our picture of Gilgamesh quickly becomes rather complex--we see him first as a mighty hero, then we see that he is both loved and feared by his subjects, as he fully exercises his sovereign powers. Gilgamesh tames Enkidu, his wild brother in arms, in a rather unorthodox way but in the end we see it is Enkidu who civilizes and humanizes Gilgamesh, who is forced to face his own mortality. Long after the Sumerian civilization ceased to exist and the grand city of Uruk disappeared beneath the sands, through this tale Gilgamesh lives on in the human consciousness--ironically, granting him the immortality he so desperately sought.

When I set out to read the Epic of Gilgamesh, I learned that reading *THE* Epic of Gilgamesh is an impossible task--it doesn't exist! As a tale that is perhaps more than 4000 years...

United States on Jan 06, 2008