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National Epics by Kate Milner Rabb




This is a collection of 17 epics each of which is condensed into its simplest form making them accessible to readers who do not have enough time or resources (or have difficulty reading some of the translations)reading or finding the epics. Each epic is introduced by providing the background of the author and the story and why it is included in this volume. The following is the list of the epics included:

THE RAMÂYÂNA


THE MAHÂ-BHÂRATA of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa


THE ILIAD of Homer


THE ODYSSEY of Homer


THE KALEVALA, collected by Zacharias Topelius and Elias Lonnrot


THE AENEID by Vergil


BEOWULF


THE NIBELUNGEN LIED


THE SONG OF ROLAND


THE SHAH-NAMEH of Firdusi


THE POEM OF THE CID


THE DIVINE COMEDY of Dante Alighieri


THE ORLANDO FURIOSO of Ludovico Ariosto


THE LUSIAD of Luis de Camoens


THE JERUSALEM DELIVERED of Torquato Tasso


PARADISE LOST of John Milton


PARADISE REGAINED of John Milton

The epics are contracted and the author left only the narration of the events. The author did a good job with this. Although shortened, I enjoyed reading all of the stories. It was almost like reading the full-length versions. However, I'd still recommend the full versions if the reader finds anything interesting here. This serves as a good introduction to the epics and is also a great substitute to the translated versions that others might find too tedious too read (I recommend this to non-native English speakers having difficulty reading Old English).

The author also provides selections from each epic. The reader will be able to read a slice of the longer version of some of the chapters or episodes.

Rating: 10 out of 10
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