The Owl and the Nightingale

The Owl and the Nightingale is a medieval poem by Simon Armitage, which is being shortlisted for the Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry. It is a graceful, elegant translation that communicates the energy and humor of the tale with the cut and thrust of the original. It is a book for the whole household to read and enjoy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 100 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2023
Publisher: Faber & Faber

The current Poet Laureate has done the most to bring medieval poetry to contemporary audiences in its own eccentric way. The Owl and the Nightingale is every bit as enticing as Gawain, and it is arguably the greatest early Middle English poem we have. Prospect: A graceful, elegant translation. Guardian: Following his acclaimed translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl, Simon Armitage shines light on another jewel of Middle English verse. In his highly engaging version, Armitage communicates the energy and humor of the tale with all the cut and thrust of the original. An unnamed narrator overhears a fiery verbal contest between the two eponymous birds, which moves entertainingly from the eloquent and philosophical to the ribald and ridiculous. The disputed issues still resonate concerning identity, cultural habits, class distinctions, and the right to be heard. Excerpts were featured in the BBC Radio 4 podcast, The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed. Including the lively illustrations of Clive Hicks-Jenkins, this is a book for the whole household to read and enjoy.

Dimension: 204 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571357307
Edition number: Main