Tristan: With the Surviving Fragments of the 'Tristan of Thomas' (Penguin Classics)

Customer Reviews:

Great literature, now where's Willehalm?.......2006-11-12

Around the middle of the 12th century, an author we know only as Thomas wrote a French version of the popular legend of the star-crossed lovers Tristan and Ysolt (usually known in English as Tristram and Yseult). Thomas may have been French or English. Most of his poem has been lost. A generation or two later (the dates for both authors are uncertain) a Strassburger named Gottfried wrote a German version of the story, using Thomas as his source. Gottfried died before completing the work. By extraordinary coincidence, the bulk of what remains of Thomas's work is the very part that Gottfried did not live to write. Thomas carries on exactly where Gottfried leaves off. The obvious thing therefore, is to translate Gottfried and Thomas in one volume, to give a complete narrative. That's what Hatto does, in his usual accurate, precise and elegant English, in this excellent Penguin Classics edition.

Hatto's editorial contributions, consisting of an Introduction and 7 Appendices, give as much information as most readers will require. One can sense the effort of will Hatto needed, to stop himself writing volumes more.

So how good a story is it? Well, it's a classic romance, from a time when sexual relations were being redefined, and which has provided inspiration for countless other romances since, most notably Romeo and Juliet. It does not read like a modern novel, for the very good reason that it isn't one. It is a medieval German poem translated into modern English prose, so much of the underlying social logic, and many of the aesthetics, will inevitably be lost to us. But it does contain some very memorable moments and it stands as an important milestone on the progress of western literature, and as an invaluable insight into European medieval culture.

One final point: Hatto tells us there are 4 great narrative poems in medieval German; Wolfram's Parzival, the Niebelungenlied, Gottfried's Tristan, and Wolfram's Willehalm. Well, now that I've read the first 3, all translated by Hatto and published by Penguin Classics, where's Willehalm? If Hatto never got around to translating it, cannot Penguin find someone worthy to follow in his foosteps?

Best Version of Tristan with extras and great Translation.......2006-03-06

While not many preople read Strassburgs "tristan" it has been around for 800 years for some reason. It must be because it is a good. The story itself has been told and retold in opera and whats present in this version is an embelishement of the english "Tristram" romance - much of which is lost. This version is translated by the great A T Hatto who was among the greatest scholars of Middle Ages Romances. Though originally translated in 1961 or a story first appearing in 1215 this book is suprisingly readable and far more engrossing than Parsival or some of the other Aurthurian romances.

But if you are reading this book I assume you are not reading this simply for enjoyment while waiting for Dan Brown's next Work. You are probably reading this in some sort of acedemic setting whether it be in univesity or your own pursuit. Here is where the book should be really useful. The introductrion which includes much of the orginal text and explains how the story developed into what makes up the body of the text. There are footnotes on nearly every other page and while I prefer more I wont say that they are necessary.

This is a great work for study of Middle Ages German literature. This work was written in the 13th Century which is the start of a great awakening of the spirit and the time that can be called the high middle ages. Beyond this this is also a great romance and a readable story. No matter on what level you choose to read this work it should be satisfying and be a work what you will want to reread.

- Ted Murena

A Classic Romance..........2003-11-17

First off this is not a romance in the modern sense of the word. This is a story that was written long ago and is considered one of the best romance stories of all time.

Tristan is a knight in King Arthur's court. But before this happens he finds love with the beautiful Isolde. This of course is not an easy path to happiness, and in fact this story does not have a happy ending. Both Tristan and Isolde are tied together because they take a love potion...Isolde is promised to Tristan's uncle King Mark and she goes to England (From Ireland) in order to keep the promise to marry him. She does but pines for her long lost love Tristan.

This was a very descriptive story and the prose is very romantic. The pagentry and vivid description of court life and conflicts will entertain you until the final pages. At the end of Gotfried there is another alternate ending for this story.

Tristan.......2000-07-06

Tristan is the perfect hero: intelligent, courageous, and incredibly handsome. But only one women, Isolde, is equally strong enough for him. The way that their lives amazingly fold to one another keeps the pace of the novel. I can't honestly say it is the greatest love story, but you will find a variety of excitement, including love. Plus, add in kings, queens, dragons, pirates, thieves, potions, jeously, passion, loyalty, revenge, and deception, you have an action-packed book. I couldn't stop reading the adventures.

Tristan (With the Surviving Fragments of the "Tristran" of Thomas) (The Penguin Classics)

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Tristan (With the Surviving Fragments of the "Tristran" of Thomas) (The Penguin Classics)
Gottfried Von Strassburg
Manufacturer: Penguin Books Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000O36Y62

Tristan : With the Surviving Fragments of the 'Tristan of Thomas'

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Tristan : With the Surviving Fragments of the 'Tristan of Thomas'
Gottfried Von Strassburg
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O06QLS

Tristan : With the Surviving Fragments of the 'Tristan of Thomas' (Penguin Classics)

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Tristan : With the Surviving Fragments of the 'Tristan of Thomas' (Penguin Classics)
A. T. Hatto Gottfried von Strassburg
Manufacturer: Penguin Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MU83PC

Tristan Translated Entire for the First Time with the Surviving Fragments of the Tristran of Thomas

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Tristan Translated Entire for the First Time with the Surviving Fragments of the Tristran of Thomas
Gottfried Von Strassburg
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K2ARAG

Book Description

#1 bestselling author Johanna Lindsey captivates readers with a love story as wild and romantic as the old American West in this thrilling novel of an heiress who discovers passion in the arms of a Texas cowboy.

After the sudden death of their father, Marian and Amanda Laton must leave their New England home and travel to their aunt's Texas ranch. It is a harrowing journey, but plain-looking Marian welcomes the challenge of their adventure, while beautiful Amanda complains at every turn. And when they need rescuing, cowboy Chad Kinkaid is the strong, sexy hero for the job. Amanda's beauty catches Chad's eye, but it is Marian's daring spirit and hidden passion that spark his desire for her -- a sensual attraction that lands them in a romantic entanglement Marian is not prepared to handle. Tied to him by the fate of her aunt's ranch, Marian must face a proud cowboy who's determined to convince her -- whether it means wooing her under the stars of the open range or following her back East -- that she's the only woman for him....

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"From #1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey comes a love story as passionate, tumultuous, and colorful as the old American West. In 1870s Texas, an unforgettable drama unfolds in the lives of rival twin sisters and the cowboy they both want to call their own. Amanda and Marian Laton are identical twins but they are as different as night and day. Amanda is beautiful but nasty, and Marian is nice but plain -- purposely so to avoid provoking her spiteful twin's jealousy. When their wealthy father suddenly dies, the two gently reared New England heiresses are sent to live with their aunt on a sprawling Texas ranch. There the twins meet Chad Kinkaid, the cowboy son of a neighboring rancher. Marian is fascinated by Chad's rugged good looks and his sheer masculinity, but she knows that like every other man she and her twin have met, he will pursue Amanda, not her. Chad is indeed beguiled by Amanda's beauty, but soon he begins to see beyond Marian's carefully constructed dowdy facade. Unlike the tame gentlemen back East, after witnessing Marian's taste for adventure, her sense of humor and bravery in the face of danger, Chad finds himself wanting her. But how can he, a man who's just a cowboy without fancy airs or urbane charm, convince her she's the only woman for him? In a story that surprises and delights, Johanna Lindsey skillfully charts the intoxicating course of first love, and all of love's attendant twists and turns, that ends with a spunky woman's coming into her own and finding a man she can call her own. With powerful emotions and sensuality, incomparable humor, and great insight into the ways of the human heart, Lindsey delivers one of her most compelling novels, which readers won't want to put down until the final page is turned. "

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful surprise!.......2007-07-20

This book taught me once again to never judge a book by its reviews. I almost didn't read this because the reviews were lukewarm at best, but I'm so glad I did anyway. This is a wonderful novel, different from some of the other JL books in that the resolution takes place well before the very end. I love the twin theme, and I especially love Marian's strength and passion. Her sacrifices for her selfish sister are unnecessary and frustrating, but at the same time very noble and somewhat understandable. Chad is strong and stubborn but tender and giving, and I love that he struggles with his feelings but chooses to follow his heart in the end. The extra twists and turns added depth and entertainment without muddying the plot. I would give this novel four stars if it weren't for the fact that Marian's stubbornness and naivete annoyed me slightly for a stretch of about a hundred pages. Believe me though, it was well worth it in the end and I'm glad I kept reading because the resolution was wonderful and very satisfying.

A good Romance!.......2007-04-23

I am not a regular Johanna Lindsey reader, I have only read her western books, so really I have no others to compare this one to, to say "this was not her best."
I really enjoyed the book and now have read it twice. The characters in this book were believable, I wanted to smack the s**t out of Amanda. I felt sorry for Marian needing to disguise her beauty because of her jealous, mean, spoiled, sister. Mishaps happen and Marian doesn't straighten it out and gets her heart broken.
The book has the romance, maybe not the best, but it is there, and there is a mystery.
Just wanted to add that there is a little surprise at the end of the book. And I was glad to see that Marian's sister had changed and they were getting along.

A Book to Call My Own...Perfection!.......2007-04-08

A Man to Call My Own is about Marion Laton and Chad Kinkaid, the embodiment of the perfect hero and heroine. This is a great western novel filled with non-stop entertainment, I just couldn't put it down! The misunderstandings and situations between the hero and heroine were realistic and believable. The humor was great and the characters were drawn out nicely. The secondary characters were great too, love 'em or hate 'em. Though it wasn't so much a romance, as it was just a regular novel. I usually like more romance than this book had, but it was still a pretty darn good book in my opinion!

I really don't understand the low rating, it might be different from the Malory books, but is still, in it's own right, a great book. Don't be put out at the rating and what people are saying about it, check it out for yourself and decide. It's not just a great love story, it's a great story in general...it left me breathless!

This is IMO Johanna L. worst book ever!!!.......2006-09-13

I love JL so this review was hard for me to write. This book like another reviewer said was so disorganized and not to mention so boring that I couldn't wait for the ending to come!

Marian our Heroine & Amanda are beautiful twins. Marian is the good twin and Amanda the evil twin (how original). Amanda loves attention is always trying to steal Marian's suitors and then dumps them horribly when she succeeds. In order for Marian to protect herself from Amanda taking her men and treating them horribly, she simply decides to give up and make herself look "ugly" but wearing plain clothing, big glasses and a tight bun (how lame) so they don't pay attention to her. *Shaking my head*.

Their father dies and they are forced to go live with his sister who they don't really know. She sends the Hero Chad to meet them halfway and bring them back to her ranch. Chad is immediately smitten by Amanda and makes excuses in the beginning for her nasty behavior. Meanwhile Marian likes Chad but in order to hide her feeling about him from Amanda, she acts like a witch towards him. Throughout the book they are some really dumb misunderstandings that make you want to roll your eyes.

The main characters Chad & Marian had potential but he was a little on the shallow and dumb side and she was too busy being "ugly" and "mean" to show her true personality - which was really nice and I would have preferred.

The story had potential but felt rushed. I found nothing redeemable about Amanda. She was a spoiled brat who IMO took up too many pages in the book! I don't know why JL tried to redeem her in the end after making her so selfish and annoying throughout the whole book!

"Home for the Holidays" was pretty bad but this book takes the cake!

For an excellent JL book, I highly suggest "Love Me Forver", "Silver Angel". All her other books are also pretty great!

dissapointing.......2006-08-19

This book was an ok read. the first 3/4 of the book was ok, but then the book just kept getting worse as I flipped the pages. It seems as though she didn't know how to end it and had a deadline, so she just put whatever down on paper. You don't really see when they fell in love and what propelled Amanda (the bad twin) to be so good all of a sudden. Things just don't start to add up. This book was not bad, but the ending was a dissapointment.

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Man to Call My Own, A: A Novel
Johanna Lindsey
Manufacturer: PocketStar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXUMCA

Book Description

The beginning of an exciting new adventure that continues the Babylon 5 legacy . . .

Bombed to the brink of oblivion, the planet Centauri Prime is starting the slow and painful process of rebuilding, under the watchful eye of Emperor Londo Mollari. But Londo is in turn being watched--and manipulated--by the conquest-hungry Drakh. The malevolent beings are reshaping the Centauri Republic into a secret seat of power from which to strike out at their enemies--especially the Interstellar Alliance.

All but helpless to resist, Londo watches as his beloved Homeworld is transformed into a ruthless police state. And the Drakh have willing allies, including one of Londo's own countrymen--Durla, a powerful official with his own sinister agenda.

As the abuses of the repressive new Republic escalate, the double-edged Drakh master plan begins to unfold. Their goal is to smash the Interstellar Alliance by assassinating its president, John Sheridan, and to obliterate Earth, using a fabled, monstrous Shadow weapon known as a Planet Killer . . .

Customer Reviews:

Whatever happened to Londo and Vir anyway?.......2005-11-25

Peter David fleshes out Michael Straczynski's outline on whatever happened to Londo Mollari after the series Babylon 5 completed its five-year run. The three novels--The Long Night of Centauri Prime, Armies of Light and Dark, and Out of the Darkness detail the tragic fall of Emperor Mollari at the hands of the vengeful Drahk and Vir's quest to undermine Centauri Prime's enemy and reveal them as the agents working to destroy his homeworld from within the government.

Aside from some rather unbelievable coincidences and some rather stupid "superior aliens" (who cannot figure out that Vir is leading the guerilla movement), the novel is well-crafted and well plotted. In fact, the novels are more satisfying B-5 fare than the Psi-Corp trilogy written by J. Gregory Keyes a few years back; here there is definitely a sense of closure to the characters and their actions make sense. And, should you even be interested, there are some characters from Straczynski's short-lived follow-up series Crusader appearing, apparently an attempt to tie the novels in with the television show. Of course, the show had come and gone before the series had even been completely published.

Great storyline, writing a little off.......2005-02-12

For Babylon V fans, getting more on what is occuring on Centauri Prime is a boon. Londo, now emperor, was involved with the Shadows, but betrayed them, something that the Drakh have not forgiven.

This book reintroduces us to some familiar characters, former Ambassador, now Emperor, Londo Mollari, his former aide de camp, now ambassador in his own right, Vir Cotto, Londo's divorced wive Mariel, and the one he kept Timov.

The storyline itself was written by J. Michael Straczinski, but the quality of the writing was not up to the level of the story itself. For Babylon V fans, this is a must read due to the background info we gain about the situation on Centauri Prime. If you are not family with Babylon V, I recommend getting familiar with it before reading this book, because it does assume a familiarity with the general plot line of the series, particularly as they played out over the last two or three seasons.

Picks Up Where the TV Series Implies.......2004-09-01

Babylon 5 is simply one of the best SciFi tv shows that I have ever seen. This book picks up from the tv series where Londo Mollari has acended to the position of Emperor. In the last three tv episodes, much is alluded to as to what happened to Londo and his friend Vir Cotto. This book jumps right into what is alluded to, and how Londo handles his "hidden enslavement" to the Drakh. The twists and turns the plot takes are excellent reminders of the twists and turns that Londo's scheming and planning took the entire tv show over its five seasons. Very good beginning to a series, and it leaves you wanting more in the final pages.

Not quite good.......2004-06-22

First off I would like to say the authors like Peter David are what has killed sci-fi literature. This book, and the others in the series, only offers stale and emotionless sequence actions taken by the fairly flat characters in the book. It would have been more enjoyable as a two-page outline of events. At least then I would not have felt cheated.

You will be alright........2004-02-23

This book, based on an outline from Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski (so you know it's official), covers the period in B5's history detailing the first years of Emperor Londo Mollari's rule of Centauri Prime, all while under the thumb of the Drakh.

Weaving in and out of the final episodes of the Babylon 5 series, this book gives a greater insight into the events shown, and explains things that were never fully explained as well.

Plus, an unlikely hero starts to emerge from all this in the form of Vir Cotto. Initially through no fault of his own, he starts to leave behind the Flounder-ness of his character and starts to go down the path that will someday lead him to becoming Emperor himself. Strongly recommended for Babylon 5 fans.

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LONG NIGHT OF CENTAURI PRIME (BABYLON 5: LEGIONS OF FIRE, NO 1)
PETER DAVID
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Babylon 5 | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000KPYQGO

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Babylon 5: Legions of Fire #01: the Long Night of Centauri Prime
Peter David
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Babylon 5 | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000OVBX42

Amazon.com

Intimacy, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, explores the following question: "How can I find a creative and fulfilling intimacy in my relationship with God and my fellow human beings?" Nouwen's answers to this question describe the connections among friendship, romantic love, sexuality, prayer, and mental health. The book's style is straightforward: "Each chapter is written because someone ... asked a question," Nouwen writes in the book's introduction. "I wrote not to solve a problem or to formulate a theory but to respond to men and women who wanted to share their struggles in trying to find their vocation in this chaotic world." Intimacy may be especially helpful for readers who serve in some ministerial capacity--the chapter on depression among seminarians, for instance, will be a cloud-clearing relief to many readers. However, Intimacy contains much helpful counsel for all Christian readers who are discovering their "seldom articulated and often unrecognized desire for a real home in this world." --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

Is love a possibility within our reach?

"We probably have wondered in our many lonesome moments if there is one corner in this competitive, demanding world where it is safe to be relaxed, to expose ourselves to someone else, and to give unconditionally. It might be very small and hidden. But if this corner exists, it calls for a search through the complexities of our human relationships in order to find it."
-- from Intimacy
Writing from his vast experience as a pastoral counselor, Henri Nouwen addresses the basic question, "How can I find a creative and fulfilling intimacy in my relationship with God an my fellow human beings?" He conducts a rich and insightful exploration into the balance between intimacy and distance, the problems in trying to develop lasting and productive relationships on all levels, and the connections between intimacy and sexuality, pray, faith, and the mental well-being of the minister. Intimacy is an essential resource for anyone struggling to grasp the profound implications of this most basic human needs.
Customer Reviews:

A Look at Love and Life.......2007-01-08
One of Nouwen's older works, this book, developed over a two-year experience as a visitor to the University of Notre Dame, contains wonderful insights into the nature of love and the direct relation that love has to an integrated life. Addressing real situations with practical psychology and spirituality rooted in his own research and praxis.

This volume of Nouwen's extensive corpus is one of his shorter works which provides a relatively easy handling of the material. While aimed at religious and seminarians, his insights on authentic and inauthentic love transcends a narrow audience to include anyone interested in learning more about relationships and the introspective journey that accompanies an integrated view of oneself.
Looking for excitement?.......2003-05-09
Those of us that attend "conservative/traditional" churches may often look with envy at those crazy folks having so much fun in the Pentacostal movement. Our services drone on with the excitement of a DMV line, while the church down the street rocks louder that Yosemite Falls. Are we missing something? Isn't our relationship with God supposed to BE a relationship, full of emotional ranges of joy to tears and back again, instead of sitting in pews wondering if we will be home in time for the "big game"?
We READ about the miracles Jesus performed but have never seen one. On Sunday morning, the congregation is busy taking notes on the sermon topic "Does God still heal"? Have we ever healed someone? Can we? Why are the early disciples so different than us? They act and talk in a way that shouts "We know our God!"
Where is the closeness, the passion, the intimacy that a relationship should have?
Yet what if I don't speak in tongues? What if I have never had a word of knowledge? Am I really a Christian? Do I have to raise my hands when I sing?
Henry Nouwen dives in this pool of wondering and may offend both the stoic Baptist and the barking in the Spirit Pentacostal. .He has a balanced view of how we can have intimacy with God and intimacy with others. The deadness of traditional Christianity can be replaced with guilt and depression, two of the most common ailments of the Pentacostal movement. Privacy gets tossed out in the Pentacostal churches, Henry argues, as people are forced to reveal deep hurts and pain as "cleansing" or to "release the demons"..
Henry concluded with a goal for intimacy within the Christian community: "a climate to allow searching without fear and questioning without shame..growth can only take place when belief and unbelief, doubt and faith, hope and despair can exist together."
Not Just for Priests.......2001-07-18
Although this book is written to male, Catholic seminarians or Priests, there are many aspects of it that are applicable to anyone who follows God and desires intimacy in their relationships with God and others. Nouwen writes beautifully and reminds us that the importance in loving is being able to do so with our whole selves without consideration on how much love we'd be getting back. Several of the sections are particularized to a Catholic seminary lifestyle, but the lessons and insights Nouwen explains can also be generalized to protestant seminary life, life in college fellowships, and just fellowship groups within churches. The later parts of the book are less involved directly with issues of intimacy though. They are more about environments which are conducive to creating healthy intimacy and those which aren't, so it's less directly concerned with personal cultivation of fulfilling intimacy. But there are definitely some good tidbits about intimacy in this book, and if that's an issue you want to have a deeper understanding of, this book is well worth your time.
Another classic by Nouwen.......2001-06-15
Saying the book is a classic and by Henri Nouwen is redundant. It is a book that opened my heart and my mind and brought me closer to God and also those around me. His writing is amazingly clear and brings the reader to a place where few Christ followers ever get, a place where we can appreciate and feel God.
Intimacy has universal appeal........2000-06-11
Each chapter of this book was written because someone asked a question. The unifying theme is expressed as a question: How can I find a creative and fulfilling intimacy in my relationship with God and my fellow human beings? Henri Nouwen wrote these essays to those who wanted to share their struggles in trying to find their vocation, in response to people's seldom articulated and often unrecognized desire for a real home in this world.
The author has written an insightful, easy to read book. I have been provided with insights that are very pertinent and timely. Despite the fact that the book is addressed to young, male, Catholic, seminary students, it has universal appeal for all who are exploring the question of vocation in the priesthood. Nouwen's philosophy of love and the place of vulnerability and openness give hope to those who crave intimacy in relationships. He provides a persuasive model for religious and spiritual growth that blends various psychologies. The chapter on student prayers validates all levels and depths of spirituality, and shows how maturity can be measured by the state of one's prayer life. Looking back at the growth of my own prayer life, I find this comforting. As I struggle with such issues as the fundamental religiosity of some people, and whether it is valid and healthy, the challenges that theological education have brought to my faith and the accompanying confusion, and the way to maintain mental health, this book has provided an invaluable guide. The realization that I am not alone in asking these questions is reassuring.
With insights from this book, a better understanding of parishioners is possible which will result in better relationships and greater acceptance of all people no matter what their stage of faith. As the parish priest, whether newly ordained or experienced, gains understanding into self, and acceptance of and respect for self, all members of the parish will benefit. Nouwen gently provides ways in which energy and commitment can be fostered which will help the priest and congregation grow to spiritual maturity.
Books:

Tropic Moon (New York Review Books Classics)

True Confessions: A Novel

Trusting Soul : Collected Stories & Drawings

Under Kilimanjaro

Unfinished Tales: The Lost Lore of Middle-earth

Veronika Decide Morir

Vinegar Hill (P.S.)

Waiting for White Horses

Wild Ginger: A Novel

Willful Creatures

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