Gilgamesh: The New Translation

I am not a scholar but it was interesting to read this, the oldest written epic in the world. I enjoyed it, and the appendix is also interesting and informative, I have learnt a few things, it makes you reflect on history of mankind and culture.

Having recently listened to The Ark Before Noah by Irving Finkel which explores in detail the Deluge part of the Gilgamesh story, I was interested to actually read the whole epic. Its being perhaps the oldest book in the world is incredible and I suppose I was expecting something Homeric, certainly in length! However, The Epic Of Gilgamesh is quite short! I haven't read any other translations for comparison but Davis' came highly recommended so I will assume its accuracy. Once I got into the flow of the language, I enjoyed the rhythm of the stories. There is quite a lot of repetition of phrases and I wondered if this was due to Gilgamesh primarily being intended to be spoken to an audience rather than read privately. I could imagine gathered people joining in with the repeated stanzas, thereby adding to the entertainment.I already knew that the Deluge story is a forerunner of the Ark tale in the Christian Bible, Utanapishtim being an earlier version of the Noah figure. I was interested also to spot another story that is also similar to a famous Bible tale but with a very different moral lesson. Enkidu, a man living pure in the wilderness, is shown the error of his natural ways when he introduced to a woman, Shamhat. In Gilgamesh, Enkidu gets to spend six nights and seven days with Shamhat who then introduces him to civilisation, clothing, family and, eventually, city building. In the corresponding Bible story, I remember Adam just gets a bite of apple and then both Adam and Eve are cast out of Paradise with Eve's actions causing women to be seen as a bad influence forever. I definitely prefer the Sumerian version!Davis' translation also includes a couple of scholarly essays after the Epic. These are interesting although a little too niche in places for my understanding. I was pleased to find this easily readable translation and to now have knowledge of this most ancient tale at a very good price (on Kindle). I have already added Davis' Beowulf translation to my TBR list

Gave it to a friend for xmas, the oldest story in the world.

Product was fine and in good condition - in spite of being left on the wall connecting me to a CAR PARK, just as well i found the package before it rained!

Excellent read, as believable as the bible.

Clear story with good factual background.

3 pages fallout as soon as I took it out of the package, also I he printing is purely done, is to close to the end of the page…

This is boring but it is important to remember that it is probably the earliest book ever written so the writer won't have had any tuition in how to deliver a gripping story. It is repetitive and not inspiring, but deserves respect as the first book.

This is such a great book. It is probably as significant historically as it is captivating as literature. Further, this is a very readable translation. The introduction by author is very informative. The appendices, by other authors, are scholarly but a little dull.Other translations can be unreadable and slow. I highly recommend this one.

Não esperava tanto desse livro, que é o mais antigo que se tem notícia. Entretanto ele aborda a impotência humana, mesmo do mais poderoso de sua espécie, e a importância da amizade.

This story captivated me, read the whole thing in a couple days. It has a lot of side information as well for some context and background. Would defiantly recommend this copy

One of earliest books , telling stories common to all men. Comment from early 20th Century scholars but no later authors

was not a bad translation. I have read better but for what it is it was enjoyable. I read it for the pure pleasure.