Friday Memes and 'The Romance of the Rose'

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Book Blogger Hop. This week's question was suggested by Elizabeth from Silver Reviews:

What is most rewarding about being a book blogger?

There are quite a lot of things which I really enjoy and which are rewarding. However, the main thing that makes me feel like I actually contribute something, so to say, is when I get feedback from authors on my reviews! For example, this week I reviewed What Milo Saw by Virginia Macgregor, which I really enjoyed! I Tweeted her about my review and she liked it and it was just so rewarding to really feel like my review made a difference to her.
I also reviewed The Girl in the Road by Monica Byrne and I got a similar response and it just made me really glad to see people share the link to my review! And the fact that Monica herself enjoyed it as well was even better!

So, this is what makes this book blogging rewarding to me!

One of the main things I have to read for University at the moment is The Romance of the Rose, a medieval French text by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. Of course I am reading it in translation, so I thought I'd start sharing my reading with you.
The Romance of the Rose (Third Edition)
Many English-speaking readers of the Roman de la rose, the famous dream allegory of the thirteenth century, have come to rely on Charles Dahlberg's elegant and precise translation of the Old French text. His line-by-line rendering in contemporary English is available again, this time in a third edition with an updated critical apparatus. Readers at all levels can continue to deepen their understanding of this rich tale about the Lover and his quest - against the admonishments of Reason and the obstacles set by Jealousy and Resistance - to pluck the fair Rose in the Enchanted Garden. The original introduction by Dahlberg remains an excellent overview of the work, covering such topics as the iconographic significance of the imagery and the use of irony in developing the central theme of love. His new preface reviews selected scholarship through 1990 and beyond, which examines, for example, the sources and influences, the two authors, the nature of the allegorical narrative as a genre, the use of first person, and the poem's early reception. The new bibliographic material incorporates that of the earlier editions. The sixty-four miniature illustrations from thirteenth- and fifteenth-century manuscripts are retained, as are the notes keyed to the Langlois edition, on which the translation is based.
Book Beginnings and Friday 56 is hosted by Gillion over at Rose City Reader and Freda over at Freda's Voice.


BB:
'Many men say that there is nothing in dreams but fables and lies, but one may have dreams which are not deceitful, whose import becomes quite clear afterward. We may take as witness an author named Macrobius, who did not take dreams as trifles, for he wrote of the vision which came to King Scipio. Whoever thinks or says that to believe in a dream's coming true is folly and stupidity may, if he wishes, think me a fool; but, for my part, I am convinced that a dream signifies the good and evil that come to men, for most men at night dream many things in a hidden way which may afterward be seen openly.'  p.1
I like the way that the narrator seems to address the reader directly and talk about his own experiences, but personally I don't really believe in dreams as prophecies, so to say. I do, however, believe that we see the good and evil of the world in our dreams. I'm looking forward to getting more into this book/

F56:
'But I, outside the wall, was given over to sorrow and woe. If anyone knew the life I led, he would have to take great pity upon it.' p.56
I wonder how the seemingly cheerful narrator suddenly became so desperate between the first and the 56th page. It's quite a difference in tone, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it all works out!


That is me done for today! Since I actually have a day off I'll be able to do some blog-hopping and see everyone else's answers and teasers :)


Comments

  1. I don't interact with authors much but I do love when they notice my reviews. Great answer. I love having blogger friends and the book community as a whole. So great!

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  2. Hearing from an author is always so exciting and rewarding.

    I enjoy the interaction with other bloggers.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer

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  3. I am now wondering about the life this person has led. As far as writing reviews, I love my relationships with the readers and well as the authors. I love helping someone find a new author.

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  4. Dreams are fascinating, and I often wonder what my crazy dreams mean! LOL

    In some ways, mine seem to be a summing up of the totality of my experiences, with random images and thoughts, mixed in with seemingly irrelevant moments from my present.

    Thanks for sharing...and here's mine: “ALL THE SUMMER GIRLS”

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  5. To get support from authors is great, have you ever given a bad review and heard from an author's reaction about it?

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  6. I hadn't thought about interaction with authors but it's definitely exciting! Especially when the author of a book you really enjoyed takes the time to let you know they appreciated it. Makes me giddy! There's definitely a tone difference from the beginning to the 56. I wonder what happened in between. Hope you enjoy the read!

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  7. Hi,
    I've also had a few authors respond to my reviews. It's very rewarding.
    Have a great day!

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  8. I have interacted with a few authors over email and other social media. It is fun. I'm spotlighting Screwball by Linda Morris this week. Happy reading!

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  9. Congrats on the author interactions! That's HUGE!!!
    Happy weekend!

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  10. I enjoy interaction with authors. Several I consider friends. I met them before I ever read their books.

    My 56 - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/09/11/the-friday-56-77-stillwater-a-jack-mcbride-mystery/

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  11. "Outside the wall was given over to sorrow and woe" what a thought. I can picture that place.
    My Friday Quotes

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  12. I enjoy being able to interact with authors too--and making their day when I love the book they've written. :-) It always makes me a bit nervous though, especially if I didn't exactly love a book. I kind of hope the author won't notice my review then.

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