Which version/author of Epic of Gilgamesh?

[2_girls_mommy]

Title says it all. I just went on Amazon to order our first book of the year for 14 yr old (after reading some of the Old Testament) for Ancients, and there are so many. Which is best?

[Chrysalis Academy]

We really liked the Steven Mitchell version - this one, which we found very readable, but the real selling point was an equally readable introductory section, organized by book, that really helps you follow what's going on in the story and provides discussion.  

 

I like David Ferry's translation too, but I found the "helps" in the Mitchell translation very, well, helpful.

[BrittanyM]

I just read the Mitchell translation for Susan's recorded class and I thought it flowed well and was easy to read. I'm not sure if I would be comfortable with my 14 year old reading some of the more graphic parts as they're pretty blunt so maybe check it out first?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[2_girls_mommy]

Good enough for me. Thanks! Just added to my cart.

[2_girls_mommy]

I just read the Mitchell translation for Susan's recorded class and I thought it flowed well and was easy to read. I'm not sure if I would be comfortable with my 14 year old reading some of the more graphic parts as they're pretty blunt so maybe check it out first?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Will do. Thank you.

[Garga]

Well, looks like you bought it, but I'll just confirm that the Mitchell version was great for us.  My son, who isn't a big reader, said that The Epic of Gilgamesh is his favorite book he's ever read.  It really resonated with him.

 

And like another person said, I really like how the first half is an analysis by Mitchell book by book.  We would read the story on our own, discuss what jumped out at us, then read the analysis. 

 

There are some somewhat graphic parts.  My son is as innocent as you get, but it wasn't a big deal to read them.  

[2_girls_mommy]

Well, we had Fall Break, and I ordered it. I started it yesterday to get ready for her to read, so I appreciate everyone's help. So far the introduction is so interesting. And just from glancing through it, it does look easy to read. So I think this was good.

 

I also picked up the Geraldine McCaughrean version for my dd12 for our next read aloud (along with The Legend of SleepyHollow since it is October) so she will likely be around for hearing that as well again. So we are off to a good start for our next 9 weeks. Thanks everyone!