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Available
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Publication
Sabchota Sakartvelo Tbilisi (1968), Hardcover, 215 pages
Description
This romantic epic is said to have been in a unique manner the book of a nation for 700 years. This is a reprint of the 1912 translation.
User reviews
LibraryThing member antiquary
An epic that has everything from Pseudo-Dionysius through the Arabian nights.
LibraryThing member starbox
This 12th century work is considered the Georgian epic. Written in poewtry, this version is rendered into prose by translator Katharinew Vivian, which I think is essential for the modern reader.
In 200 pages, we read a tale that makes one think of the Arabian Nights, medieval works of courtly love,
As a 21st century reader, I felt it was long enough. Although it's perfectly readable- lots of peerlessly beautiful princesses, all-action heroes, wise but fearsome kings, boundless treasure.... Although purportedly set in distant lands (Arabia, India, China, the 'land of the Seas') , the characters bear Georgian names (one addresses another in Georgian at one point) so I think we can take it that it's based on the author's homeland.
Along with the adventures, are occasional asides based on Christian precepts, while knight Avtandil's lecture to the melancholy and despondent Tariel feel like a 12th century attempt to deal with depression.
I read this to get a background to Georgian writing. It's OK- and may be superb if you can read the original poetry - but certainly a look at a distant culture.
In 200 pages, we read a tale that makes one think of the Arabian Nights, medieval works of courtly love,
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fairy tales and the Odyssey. Certainly its location meant that the Georgiasns had much contact with Pesians, Arabs, Greeks and others.As a 21st century reader, I felt it was long enough. Although it's perfectly readable- lots of peerlessly beautiful princesses, all-action heroes, wise but fearsome kings, boundless treasure.... Although purportedly set in distant lands (Arabia, India, China, the 'land of the Seas') , the characters bear Georgian names (one addresses another in Georgian at one point) so I think we can take it that it's based on the author's homeland.
Along with the adventures, are occasional asides based on Christian precepts, while knight Avtandil's lecture to the melancholy and despondent Tariel feel like a 12th century attempt to deal with depression.
I read this to get a background to Georgian writing. It's OK- and may be superb if you can read the original poetry - but certainly a look at a distant culture.
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Awards
Language
Original language
Georgian
ISBN
none
Local notes
Georgian literature