Gilgamesh: The New Translation cover art

Gilgamesh: The New Translation

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Gilgamesh: The New Translation

By: Gerald J. Davis
Narrated by: John Hanks
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About this listen

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest story that has come down to us through the ages of history. It predates the Bible, The Iliad and The Odyssey. The Epic of Gilgamesh relates the tale of the fifth king of the first dynasty of Uruk (in what is modern-day Iraq), who reigned for 126 years, according to the ancient Sumerian list of kings. Gilgamesh was first inscribed in cuneiform writing on clay tablets by an unknown author during the Sumerian era and has been described as one of the greatest works of literature in the recounting of mankind's unending quest for immortality.

©2014 Gerald J. Davis (P)2015 Gerald J. Davis Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Classics Middle Eastern Poetry World Literature Royalty King

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Critic reviews

"Gilgamesh is monumental!" (Rainer Maria Rilke)
All stars
Most relevant  
Before I begin my review on the story, the Narrator: John Hanks, deserves a mention first. His voice is captivating, inspiring and created a perfect match for the story of Gilgamesh. I listened to the book in its entirety in one sitting!

Now the story. Although this is the oldest recorded story we have found in human history, it holds up as a gripping tale. The themes and relationships you discover in modern books are nothing new when you compare them being explored in Gilgamesh, thousands of years before in fact. The level of detail and imagination is amazing. If you don't want to listen to our world's oldest story, you are missing out.

Im glad this story has survived time

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a great book about a great human quest for immortality. Inspiring and thought-provoking.
But the biggest impression of this book for me was actually in the preface. I found out that Gilgamesh was discovered and translated by two amateurs, not professional scholars. An inspiring discovery indeed.

a great world classic. a must read

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Interesting story, and interesting backstory. Oddly, the introduction was pretty well read, but the actual story was read atrociously badly with no sense of drama. Would not recommend to anyone unless they want the odd experience of being bored to death by a good story.

Great story, incredibly poorly read

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Good audio book of the epic Gilgamesh. Good narration as well. Recommend to anyone who wants to read the Gilgamesh

Good narration and translation of Gilgamesh.

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Listened to it on and off.
The verse repetition stuff seemed funny like it was meant for children except for some of the themes.

Entertaining

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Review of Gilgamesh:
I'm giving this 4 stars because it pseems to be a straight representation of the Gilgamesh writings without spin; & that's a fabulous thing to be offered. I won't give it 5 because I'm no scholar of ancient texts so I cannot be sure how faithful it is. If you want something interesting read this. If you want entertaining don't. It's soooo repetitive! & it's childishly ridiculous. But of course it wasn't written for my entertainment.

Good to have butt ... Hmm!

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I've been wanting to check out the Epic of Gilgamesh for years particularly seeing it inspire character in the Fate franchise and Jack Kirby's Eternals. While its not my favourite addition to my library i can say im glad i bought it.
Before the story itself there's a chapter about the rediscovery of the poem through the 19th and early 20th centuries that i found quite interesting.
As for the epic i found the tale itself pretty good though the translation tends to repeat phrases and lines over and over a few times which considering its age and the fact its a translated poem i should have expected. Not a major gripe but it does make certain parts a bit of bother in my opinion.
I found Hanks to be great narrator whose deep voice suited the epic tale

An Interesting Listen

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if this is the oldest written story, they must have been pretty bored
repetitive and padded out. the tablet scribe must have been paid per word.
what was the fuss about his lost bat and ball?,

I was expecting so much more.
love the narrators voice. he did what he could.

well I made it to the end, so well done me.

don't know what the fuss is sbout

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