num_pages: 48
description: The medieval tale of Sir Gawain, the perfect Knight of King Arthur's Court who stained his blameless reputation with one unchivalrous act, is not for the fainthearted child. The Green Knight's challenge--an exchange of beheading ax blows--was a grisly one, the resolution a revelation of human nature: even an idealist can value his life above his honor, Mrs. Hieatt, Middle English scholar and mother, has rewritten the story in modern English losing none of its excitement, suspense, and flavor. (Unfortunately the artist's self-conscious spidery green drawings are neither evocative nor attractive.) The dark side of chivalry for younger readers and an absorbing introduction to the Arthurian mystique.
language: English
title: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
publisher: Thomas Y. Crowell Company