Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Penguin Classics

By: Bernard O'Donoghue, Bernard O'Donoghue - translator

Narrated by: Frank Turner

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is narrated by Singer/Songwriter and folk-punk icon Frank Turner. Frank Turner has released eight solo studio albums, the most recent of which was No Man's Land, which contained songs celebrating some of the most important women throughout history. This definitive edition is translated by Bernard O'Donoghue.

Composed during the fourteenth century in the English Midlands, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight describes the events that follow when a mysterious green-coloured knight rides into King Arthur's Camelot in deep mid-winter. The mighty knight presents a challenge to the court: he will allow himself to be struck by one blow, on the condition that he will be allowed to return the strike on the following New Year's Eve. Sir Gawain takes up the challenge, decapitating the stranger - only to see the Green Knight seize up his own severed head and ride away, leaving Gawain to seek him out and honour their pact. Blending Celtic myth and Christian faith, Gawain is among the greatest Middle English poems: a tale of magic, chivalry and seduction.

© Bernard O'Donoghue 2006 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

puzzling little classic

what a strange story

highly recommend listening to the discussion of this book on bbc radio 4's "in our time" podcast

nice clear accessible translation and introduction by bernard o'donoghue

would be surprised if the new movie can be as simple and enigmatic as this

Great

Good story and good performance by the reader. I appreciated the commentary at the end helping to understand the origins of the poem.

Wonderful

A well narrated quick and wonderful listen. Long live Arthur and his knights, and old romance.