Classic chivalric romance -- the genesis of so many of our modern notions of King Arthur's court, and of the Middle Ages. Highly recommended for students of either Arthurian lit or medieval literature. ( )

So-so translations of great medieval French poems ( )

Some random thoughts follow. Overall I liked it and would read it again.

It's violent, racist, and sexist. It presupposes that nothing ugly can be good.

It upholds truth, loyalty, chastity, charity, courage, honour won especially in single combat, and the laws of God (except the no killing part).

It assumes prior knowledge of much of Arthurian legend, including the names of many of the knights, the early biography of Arthur, and Excalibur.

Lesson: If a knight asks you for lodgings, then no matter who he is, it's your duty as a God-fearing host to invite him and treat him to the best of your ability.

The poet seemed to die before he could finish his Grail story, and the various Continuations are summarized in an Appendix in my edition. I found the story of "The Knight with the Lion" particularly touching. I disliked most "The Knight of the Cart", which the author was commissioned to write by a noble lady to illustrate the often painful details of courtly love, and which I am convinced is the revenge of the women of the time against the men who so completely subjugated them. Poor Lancelot. ( )

These tales are very engaging, and there are a couple not-too-well-known gems in here. A necessary volume in the Arthurian canon. ( )

the inventer of Arthurian literature as we know it, writing in the 2nd half of the 12th century