Edmund Spenser's the Faerie Queene, a Prose Rendering: A Text-Faithful Translation of the 1590s Epic Poem

Description: Many have attempted to read Edmund Spenser's 1590s epic The Faerie Queene, only to be discouraged by language even more difficult than Shakespeare's. Now, educator Rebecca K. Reynolds presents a text-faithful prose rendering that gradually introduces Spenser's distinctive vocabulary, preparing readers to engage confidently with the original text. Richly illustrated by fantasy artist Justin Gerard, this three-volume set shares the adventures of knights who confront monsters, wizards, enchantresses, and their own weaknesses. Prince Arthur also seeks his love, Gloriana, the elusive Faerie Queene. Welcome Spenser's grand adventure, a tale that inspired generations of fantasy writers, now accessible to all.

Review Quotes:
"Reynolds's new rendering of The Faerie Queene was made for people like me--for those of us who time and again have heard of Spenser's great poem but were too intimidated to read it. We're drawn to the feeling of adventure, mystery, danger, and beauty conjured merely by mention of the title, but fear that maybe we aren't smart enough or wise enough or brave enough to enter in to a old tale so revered by so many.

Enter Rebecca Reynolds's incredible mind and mastery of language, coupled with hospitality toward the reader; enter also Justin Gerard, a master artist whose gifts are perfectly suited to a vision like Spenser's. Rather than turned away at the door to elfland, I found myself welcomed in to its wonders by Reynolds's clear and careful handling of the original text--along with her generous footnotes and Gerard's stunning illustrations--and was at once surrounded by knights and warhorses, dwarves and dragons, high beauties and heavy skies. This book does a great service not just to Edmund Spenser, but to those of us who will encounter this grand story for the first time."

Andrew Peterson
Author of The Wingfeather Saga--Andrew Peterson