Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic Paperback – September 6, 2022

Excellent new translation. I gave it as a gift to friends.

... across topics, but also across time. Gilgamesh comes to us from the oldest written times, likely embodying yet older oral traditions.So, I had to wonder: What, like Lady Murasaki gave us, did Gilgamesh's nameless authors bring to a reader four thousand years in their future? Well, I have no deep scholarship to offer (unlike the second half of this book, which I skipped). Still, I can recognize in it a quest, and a brotherhood, and a skaldic or Homeric tradition of reciting a story endlessly, never quite the same in any two recitations. Repetitive and stereotyped phrases gave a fast-thinking but slow-talking bard moments to combine story with word familiar phrase and rhythm again, to tell the story over and over without ever really telling one story twice.I'm glad I read this, really. And I can be scholarly at times, but this has told its story to me and my scholarly thoughts aims in other directions.Off to the used market. With gratitude and respect, but off- wiredweird

This work is right up there with the Odyssey and other classical works. Many of the included stories were (more than a thousand years earlier) the basis for various Biblical stories, but with a sense of humor: The gods all swear not to warn humanity of the planned flood, but Ani, god of wisdom, shows up at Utnapishtim's ("Noah's") abode and with a booming voice, gives the warning "Oh wall! Hear me, wall! I am Ani, come to warn you of a flood.") The god then goes on to give an oral blueprint for an ark. Utnapishtim then tricks the population into building him an ark, telling them (using the word usually meant for a deluge of grain, or riches) that there will be a deluge if they help him build the vessel. And so on. Then there's the loss of Gilgamesh's friend, and the pitiless slaying of the monster who defends the forest. Amazing stuff. Buy this book, read it, and think!

As new discoveries are made, we keep getting more of the epic. This translation is well done & suitable both for the beginner and for reader's already familiar with the epic. Intended for a non-specialist audience, but with excellent bibliography.

Helle’s translation is an easy reading, smooth piece of writing. It never implies more than what’s there but also helps “cover” for the gaps. It’s a fantastic - and quick - read with some interesting tropes. Helle’s supporting essays and introduction are great and really help contextualize the piece and make sense of its inherently fractured nature. Recommended.

All about the epic tale. Excellent footnotes and bibliography which will allow you to further explore the civilization and world of Mesopotamia.

I enjoyed his interpretation of this great story very much.

The format is all of on the kindle. It is impossible to read. The translation is great.