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The Romance of Tristan and Iseult (Vintage Classics) Paperback – May 31, 1994

by Joseph Bedier (Author), Hilaire Belloc (Translator)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 200 ratings
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A tale of chivalry and doomed, transcendent love, The Romance of Tristan and Iseult is one of the most resonant works of Western literature, as well as the basis for our enduring idea of romance. The story of the Cornish knight and the Irish princess who meet by deception, fall in love by magic, and pursue that love in defiance of heavenly and earthly law has inspired artists from Matthew Arnold to Richard Wagner. But nowhere has it been retold with greater eloquence and dignity than in Joseph Bédier’s edition, which weaves several medieval sources into a seamless whole, elegantly translated by Hilaire Belloc and Paul Rosenfeld.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 31, 1994
  4. Dimensions
    5.19 x 0.51 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0679750169
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0679750161
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

The first complete English edition, brilliantly translated....Throughout it retains the beauty and sense of fatality that have made it one of legendary literature's most fascinating tales." -- Time

A tale of chivalry and doomed, transcendent love. The Romance of Tristan and Iseult is one of the most resonant works of Western literature, as well as the basis for our enduring idea of romance. The story of the Cornish knight and the Irish princess who meet by deception, fall in love by magic, and pursue that love in defiance of heavenly and earthly law has inspired artists from Matthew Arnold to Richard Wagner. But nowhere has it been retold with greater eloquence and dignity than in Joseph Bedier's edition, which weaves several medieval sources into a seamless whole, elegantly translated by Hilaire Belloc and Paul Rosenfeld.

"A powerful rendition, an incomparable tale."

-- The New York Times

"Definitely a book to preserve and cherish." -- Chicago Sun

From the Back Cover

A tale of chivalry and doomed, transcendent love, 'The Romance of Tristan and Iseult' is one of the most resonant works of Western literature, as well as the basis for our enduring idea of romance. The story of the Cornish knight and the Irish princess who meet by deception, fall in love by magic, and pursue that love in defiance of heavenly and earthly law.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; Reissue edition (May 31, 1994)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0679750169
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0679750161
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.19 x 0.51 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 200 ratings

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  1. Hilaire Belloc

    Hilaire Belloc

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  2. Joseph Bédier

    Joseph Bédier

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  3. J. Bedier

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
200 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

K. Jump
5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic Of True Love
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2001
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"The Romance of Tristan & Iseult" is one of the foremost chivalric myths of all time. A rich mosaic of the human experience, embroidered with colorful gothic elements like spell-weaving dwarves, love potions, magical bells and even a particularly monstrous dragon, "Tristan & Iseult" is the tale of a heroic knight from fabled Lyonesse who falls madly in love with his King's betrothed through sorcery. Neither Tristan nor his Queen-to-be can resist the magic that possesses them both, and they cannot help but fling themselves headlong into an affair that shakes the very foundations of the Arthurian world.
More than a mere "love story," this is a philosophical exploration of the human soul. Are Tristan and Iseult really guilty of adultery? Do they have a free will? Do they truly love each other, or is their affair nothing but a sorcerous delusion? Is King Mark the villain of the story, or is this a tale beyond conventional heroism or villainy?
Readers familiar with the Arthurian legend will quickly draw parallels between Tristan and Iseult and Lancelot and Guinevere, whose tragic love brought Camelot to its knees. Indeed, Malory cites Tristan (whom he refers to as "Tristram") as a knight of such prowess and nobility that he is second only to Lancelot himself--and a close second at that.
If you are a dreamer, a hopeless romantic, this is the book you've been looking for.
45 people found this helpful
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J.A.
5.0 out of 5 stars The wonderful classic tale, beautifully told.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2018
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Mrs. Axelrod made you read about King Arthur and Queen Guinevere in high school? Too bad; she should have given you this instead. It has plenty of lust in it, and lots of treasonous adultery, and it's very grown-up . . . . maybe that's why she didn't. This is a graceful, engaging, really almost hypnotic rendering of the wonderful old story of valiant Tristan and the beautiful Irish princess Iseult. This story actually predates Arthur and Guinevere who are, as far as I'm concerned, a cheap knockoff. Tristan and Iseult has (the aforementioned) lust and treasonous adultery (go ahead, root for the treasonous adulterers, everybody does), adventure, war, peace, voyages, carelessness, quick thinking, deep loyalty, dreadful betrayals, rage, forgiveness, fight scenes, horses, dogs, dragons, silks, jewels, even more adventure, and an inevitable and very-highly-non-Walt-Disney ending. And it's a faster and lovelier read than Arthur and Guin. A surprisingly touching story. I think you'll like it.
11 people found this helpful
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Alan Montgomery
4.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Tale well told.
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2006
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The story of Tristan and Iseult (or Isolde) is well known through Wagner's famous opera, but this is the real tale. It isn't embellished, but instead it tells the complete tale clearly and succinctly in a manner reminiscent of the older manuscripts like Beowulf. The story (unlike the current film) does include the magic potion, a typical device of the older legends. The heart-breaking ending may be clear even in the third or fourth chapter, but getting there is a major trip to treasure. To those familiar with Wagner's names, there are some variant spellings, but they don't amount to much. Kurvenal is Gorvenal for example. A most enjoyable book.
11 people found this helpful
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RedDrafly
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling tale of Love and Honor
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2020
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The movies and the related works which recast the story of Tristan and Iseult are not as deep and engaging as this original version. I have read and seen the elements of Tristan and Iseult used and revised in many ways, but I am still fundamentally impressed with this tale. It is deep and rewarding, and the questions it poses for human relations are as relevant today as ever. The style of writing is antique but not unfamiliar, except for the use of a few phrases and words, which are easily comprehended. This version has a rhythm and resonance all its own. I loved this story in this version.
2 people found this helpful
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An Open Book Family
3.0 out of 5 stars Tragic Romance That Could Spur Great Discussion on the Nature of Love
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2019
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This classic of romance literature, which obviously influenced subsequent classic works, had eluded me for decades. I'd only heard mention of it in recent years and came across this Hillaire Beloc translation at a low cost.

I wish I'd read this in the context of a classroom or group/club rather than independently because there is much absent in the text that would make for great discussion. Responsibility, the nature of love, honor, duty, sacrifice - these are all found within Tristan and Iseult, but not in any depth.

There's some lip service to God and honor, but the lovers absolve themselves from any responsibility because they just can't help themselves. They (mistakenly) drank a love potion, you see. Whoopsie.

Despite that disappointment, I found this worth reading as a seminal work, and it did mostly hold my attention.
One person found this helpful
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Transcendental Thomist
5.0 out of 5 stars Great epic poem in fine english translation
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2013
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Hilaire Belloc, the early 20th century Franco-English man of letters, delivers a delightful and sensitive modern English translation of "The Romance of Tristan and Isolde," the classic Dark Ages tragic romance that is a source for Arthurian legend and a precursor of Romeo and Juliet. This Dover Literature edition is a slender paperback with glossy cover, featuring more substantial or heavier paper quality than the Dover Thrift editions. It is quite readable and pleasant if you are interested in this area of literature. It's also MUCH easier to read than "Beowulf" and "Morte D'Arthur." Belloc, himself a poet, writes in a verse style that is easily digestible. This is the rare early medieval romance that is actually FUN to read rather than a slog.
9 people found this helpful
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Fernando Collor de Mellow
5.0 out of 5 stars Not your Grandsire's Tristan
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2015
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.
Been reading lots of epic & romance over the last few years and this one is absolutely special -- it sails.

A handsome paperback volume that deposits you right smack into the age of chivalry & magic from start to end -- with none of the attendant language-puff so many modern translations feel is required.

Belloc's well-known gifts are on full display in this wonderful, non-Wagnerian love story.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Tristan and Iseult
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2023
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A beautiful tale that should be better known.
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Lodblu
5.0 out of 5 stars Parfait
Reviewed in France on March 4, 2019
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Reçu en cadeau, j’adore !
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Highlander
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2013
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I read this book as I was interested to know the sort of stuff which passed for a good yarn in medieval times. It was interesting in an historic sense, but the characters weren't to my personal taste. I found them selfish. But I'm glad that I read it, and I know now a little more about the middle ages than I did previously. It makes those long ago days a little more clear in my head, so it has achieved the objective.
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