1wcarter
The Song of Roland - 2010
The Song of Roland is an 11th. Century epic poem that recounts the heroic deeds of Charlemagne's knights and their battles against the Muslim Saracens in Spain. It is a testament to chivalry, honour, and religious fervour.
The last Muslim city left standing is Saragossa, held by the Muslim king Marsilla. The Moslems promise treasure and conversion to Christianity if Charlemagne will go back to France. The offer is accepted, but Charlemagne is betrayed by Roland’s stepfather Ganelon, and the Saracens ambush the French rearguard which is led by Roland.
Roland is overwhelmed but refuses to call for help from the main army by blowing his horn until it is too late, and Charlemagne finds only bodies when he finally comes to Roland’s aid. Gamelon’s betrayal is discovered and he is torn limb from limb while his relatives are hung.
It is a rollicking tale, beautifully translated by Charles Scott Moncrieff. The xvii + 154 page book is dramatically illustrated with nine full colour illustrations by Anna & Elena Balbusso. There is an introduction by John Burnside. The book has gold endpapers and is bound in burgundy cloth, blocked in gilt on the cover with a picture. The plain red/brown slipcase measures 28.9x19.1cm.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
The Song of Roland is an 11th. Century epic poem that recounts the heroic deeds of Charlemagne's knights and their battles against the Muslim Saracens in Spain. It is a testament to chivalry, honour, and religious fervour.
The last Muslim city left standing is Saragossa, held by the Muslim king Marsilla. The Moslems promise treasure and conversion to Christianity if Charlemagne will go back to France. The offer is accepted, but Charlemagne is betrayed by Roland’s stepfather Ganelon, and the Saracens ambush the French rearguard which is led by Roland.
Roland is overwhelmed but refuses to call for help from the main army by blowing his horn until it is too late, and Charlemagne finds only bodies when he finally comes to Roland’s aid. Gamelon’s betrayal is discovered and he is torn limb from limb while his relatives are hung.
It is a rollicking tale, beautifully translated by Charles Scott Moncrieff. The xvii + 154 page book is dramatically illustrated with nine full colour illustrations by Anna & Elena Balbusso. There is an introduction by John Burnside. The book has gold endpapers and is bound in burgundy cloth, blocked in gilt on the cover with a picture. The plain red/brown slipcase measures 28.9x19.1cm.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
3UK_History_Fan
I have this but had forgotten just how beautiful and evocative the illustrations are! Great reminder, thanks.
4podaniel
>3 UK_History_Fan:
Me too--it took me a while to locate my copy on the shelves. It was like receiving a late Christmas present.
Me too--it took me a while to locate my copy on the shelves. It was like receiving a late Christmas present.
5affle
>1 wcarter:
Thanks as ever for this great series of reviews, Warwick.
>3 UK_History_Fan:, >4 podaniel:
I think the FS must have been pleased with this book, too - they produced three Russian books with a quite similar design over the next two years, On the Eve and First Love by Turgenev, and Eugene Onegin, all with the same format and general production style. The last two were also illustrated by the Balbusso sisters. At the time, books over 28cms/11 inches weren't common, and they disrupted my shelving arrangements. They all still please.
Thanks as ever for this great series of reviews, Warwick.
>3 UK_History_Fan:, >4 podaniel:
I think the FS must have been pleased with this book, too - they produced three Russian books with a quite similar design over the next two years, On the Eve and First Love by Turgenev, and Eugene Onegin, all with the same format and general production style. The last two were also illustrated by the Balbusso sisters. At the time, books over 28cms/11 inches weren't common, and they disrupted my shelving arrangements. They all still please.
6wcarter
>5 affle:
On the Eve is reviewed in the Folio Archive series at https://www.librarything.com/topic/333399
On the Eve is reviewed in the Folio Archive series at https://www.librarything.com/topic/333399
7affle
>6 wcarter:
Thank you for the reminder. That review mentioned the unusual size - I still have these four books, Roland and the three Russians, shelved together away from their proper places because of their size. None of them was reprinted, and they look like good buys on the secondhand market.
Thank you for the reminder. That review mentioned the unusual size - I still have these four books, Roland and the three Russians, shelved together away from their proper places because of their size. None of them was reprinted, and they look like good buys on the secondhand market.
8PartTimeBookAddict
>1 wcarter: I have a copy of this one too. Got to get around to reading it. Nice review. Thanks for spurring me on.
10UK_History_Fan
>5 affle: that’s right! Good reminder. I think I own all of those but out of the country at the moment so cannot check. Should be easy to spot on the shelf!
