Boiardo & Ariosto

I've recently finished a great book, published in June, on Orlando Innamorato and Orlando Furioso --

The World Beyond Europe in the Romance Epics of Boiardo and Ariosto by Jo Ann Cavallo. As the title says, about their knowledge of and attitudes towards Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Most intriguing subject, it's answered questions I've had for years. It finds quite a contrast between Boiardo and Ariosto.

I trust you have read the two original works in question. Good read the pair of them. The English speaking world is not their primary audience. The loss to us English speakers I fear.

Excellent review of The World Beyond Europe in the Romance Epics of Boiardo and Ariosto. I have just finished Orlando Furioso and I am in love with Ariosto, for many of the reasons that you like Bioardo after reading Cavallo's book. I have not read Orlando Innamorato yet.

@2 Yes, and now I urgently want to read them again. I've just started Luigi Pulci's Morgante written slightly before them, though I'm afraid it's going to be too comic for me. --In English, we do have their imitator, Spenser. I worry about the translations, particularly with Boiardo because I think we only have one?

@3 Thanks so much, great to meet another fan of these.

More thoughts on translations. I know Ariosto in the Barbara Reynolds; I've ordered in the prose Guido Waldman (Oxford) for next time, just to be different. I heard an argument that prose allows him to stick more nearly to the original which makes sense.

So far have refused to buy the David R. Slavitt ('A New Verse Translation', Belknap Press) on grounds it's cut and that he mucks about with it -- sort of in the spirit of Ariosto, rather than the letter. But then it might be a heap of fun for that very reason and I know I'm going to crumble and get it.

Once I'm keen on a work I tend to collect translations.