The Poetic Edda
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"The translation may indeed be regarded as the crowning achievement of a great scholar" Scandinavian-American Bulletin
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"The Poetic Edda" comprises a treasure trove of mythic and spiritual verse holding an important place in Nordic culture, literature, and heritage. Its tales of strife and death form a repository, in poetic form, of Norse mythology and heroic lore, embodying both the ethical views and the cultural life of the North during the late heathen and early Christian times. Collected by an unidentified Icelander, probably during the twelfth or thirteenth century, "The Poetic Edda" was rediscovered in Iceland in the seventeenth century by Danish scholars. Even then its value as poetry, as a source of historical information, and as a collection of entertaining stories was recognised. This meticulous translation succeeds in reproducing the verse patterns, the rhythm, the mood, and the dignity of the original in a revision that Scandinavian Studies says 'may well grace anyone's bookshelf'.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hollander's translation is probably the most widely available and is often praised for it's style. His style is very good, poetically. No one can falt him for trying to both tell a good story or bring Eddic poetry to the modern English language. But if you are looking to actually understand the Edda Saemundar and study it, this is not for you. There is little interpretation or explanation for his editing. No footnotes tell you when he moves some stanza to better suit his liking, and why (he does this often). He uses imprecise words which mask subtleties which where important in the culture (the difference between "seith" and "spa"); using and glossing the original word is more authentic and exact. You don't know where the Edda begins and Hollander ends. Indeed, this book is more a "retelling" than a translation, and is about as scholarly as Wagner's Ring Cycle. It's good for 6'th grade reports, not if you want to understand the Eddas, Norse culture and poetry, or truly understand the Aesir and Vanir. 1 star for effort, and 1 for his English poetry.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hollander's translation is in general a good one. It is most famous for its attempt to "retell" the Eddas in a highly poetic style - acting as though the poems were originally written in English (most other translations lack these poetic aesthetics). This is a most virtuous effort. However, this means also drawbacks, as there is not always accuracy to the originals. He uses archaic language, so it is somehow harder to understand than others. Beginners are better of with Larrington's translation, because it's clear, it's well explained in footnotes/comments, and it's easy to read. However, for those who like to have the Poetic Edda translation truly Poetic, should not miss out on this translation. Others decide from their viewpoint, and from an objective viewpoint, the translation should receive 4 stars; but as an advocate of truly *poetic* style, I have grown more closely to this translation than to any other translation; and so my subjective opinion has to be a full 5 stars.
Format:Paperback
This book is a must for anyone interested in Norse Poetry and culture. Contains invaluable lays from many different sources and illustrates the importance of alliteration in Viking Poetry.
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