The Epic of Gilgamesh (Penguin Epics)

Arrived in timely manner. Excellent condition!

Book came in good condition and contained The Epic of Gilgamesh as advertised.

I wanted to read Gilgamesh and ordered this edition randomly. I read it and did not enjoy it at all. Dull, unexciting, repetitive, unmemorable.A few years later I was talking to a lit. professor who was surprised I didn't enjoy Gilgamesh. He suggested that that what I'd read might have been a flat translation. He was right. I read what he recommended:Gilgamesh: A New English Version by Stephen MitchellandGilgamesh by John Gardner and John MaierThese two translations were very enjoyable and read like true epics. Don't order this edition and, if you do, don't base your opinion of the work on this translation alone.

As promised, the book got here in time for an assignment my daughter had, and it was the right version the teacher was looking for.

Used this edition with High School students. Not only was this accessible for them, but they loved it. It inspired all sorts of amazing conversations. GET IT and READ IT.

I had heard a lot about this story and knew something of what it was about. The particular rendition in this book seemed to leave some points made by other reports of other translations in doubt.I am reading another book about this epic ("Buried book") which I hope and think will cover more than this translation. If it doesn't satisfy my interest I will look for other translations.Overall it was an interesting book.

This is a review of The Epic of Gilgamesh (Penguin Epics) published 2006. This is a prose translation by N.K. Sandars, which was first published in Penguin's 1960 edition of Gilgamesh, re-printed here sans the book-length editors introduction. Just the meat, no potatoes or desert. It took me about 2 hours to read as an average reader, was clear and easy to understand. The book is physically tiny, 4x8 inches and a quarter-inch thick, it would disappear on a book shelf.I purchased this at the same time as The Buried Book: The Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh, however I wished I had waited, as 'Buried Book' has a good overview of more recent translations available. However I am not disappointed as Sandard's translation is good and easy and understandable - it may not be scholarly level, but perfectly acceptable for most readers who just want to read the epic and enjoy it.

I actually bought this book for class and could not put it down! Great read!