This translation by Ernst van Altena of the medieval animal epic Van den Vos Reynaerde hardly needs a recommendation. She is, in a word, masterful. While Jan Frans Willems had provided an edited translation in the 19th century, Van Altena closely follows the original text. The medieval levy verse has made way for a four-legged trochee and the text is full of unusually clever rhymes. The illustrated edition of 1979, albeit without illustrations, is now within everyone's reach for a reasonable price. Every Dutch teacher who can read a little has a text in his hands that can also make today's high school student admire one of the highlights of our medieval literature. There is an explanation of the proper names at the back of the publication. Opinions may differ on this: a more scabrous one is also possible and perhaps more obvious, given the satirical nature of the text. - [Abstract]

Language: Dutch

Locators: ISBN: 978-90-818875-4-0