A heartwarming tale of love and friendship in a time when no one could imagine anything but war.
This edition includes:
• A new translation of El Abencerraje
• Useful explanatory notes
• A short, original introductory essay
This is a classic story of the exotic landscape of medieval Spain, written about 1551, in a new, easy to read English translation. Abindarráez is so in love with beautiful Jarifa that when he is taken prisoner by Rodrigo de Narváez, he asks to be freed for only two days so that he can marry her. What happens next shows that love and friendship are stronger than war, even during the final stages of the the Reconquest of Spain.
The translation tries to transmit all the meaning and charm of the original while untangling its complex syntax. Don’t miss the opportunity to read this enchanting book in English!
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The Abencerraje is available in a dual-language softcover and in English in ebook formats: Kindle | Nook | Kobo
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Praise for The Abencerraje
“It is a quite simple and direct tale, very clearly written, and enlightens those of us who were educated in English… Its greatest value perhaps lies in wanting the reader to learn more about the times and tribulations described.” —M. Clement Hall on Amazon
“What makes this story even more remarkable is the time it was written, about 1551, during the Spanish Inquisition. During a time of intolerance, the anonymous author dares to hope that friendship and understanding is possible across religious lines. He is centuries before his time.
“Translator Jessica Knauss does a great job in making the story accessible to modern readers yet giving it a feel of another time and place. Many thanks to her for bringing it to a modern English-speaking audience.” —Kim Rendfeld, author
“Abencerraje is the story of the friendship between two men separated by race, religion, culture and politics, but united by their respect for honour, courage, chivalry and love. The one, Rodrigo, was a Christian, Spanish knight; the other, Abindarráez, was a Spanish Moor and a follower of Islam.
“I was transported into a heroic medieval past that may or may not have existed, but surely should have. It is a tale that recalls the stories in the Arthurian cycle in which bold and true knights defending their honour and lady-loves.” —Seymour Hamilton, author