Welcome to Edmund Spenser's 1590s epic poem, The Faerie Queene. This richly illustrated, text-faithful, line-by-line prose rendering transports modern readers into a vast narrative tapestry. Knights traverse diverse fantastical landscapes including the shadowy depths of an enchanted forest, a treacherous underwater lair, a mysterious subterranean kingdom, and the deadly Bower of Bliss.
Through these realms stride Spenser's unforgettable knights-brave yet fallible, powerful yet vulnerable-as they confront ferocious monsters, cunning wizards, beguiling enchantresses, and even encounter young Prince Arthur, who wanders Faerie Land consumed by his passion for Gloriana, the elusive Faerie Queene.
Many have attempted to read Spenser's original masterpiece only to retreat, daunted by language that was deliberately archaic even in Elizabethan times. Classical educator Rebecca K. Reynolds bridges this gap, crafting a prose adaptation that gradually introduces more of Spenser's distinctive vocabulary and diction. By the final volume, readers will find themselves prepared to engage directly with Spenser's original text with confidence and delight.
For four hundred years, Spenser's realm has captivated powerful creative minds, igniting literary movements and inspiring countless works. So, take a few first steps with us through the mist-shrouded edges of Faerie Land. As C.S. Lewis wisely observed: "The Faerie Queene never loses a reader it has once gained... Once you have become an inhabitant of its world, being tired of it is like being tired of London, or of life."
VOLUME ONE:
BOOK ONE:
The Red Cross Knight embarks on what first seems a straightforward quest to slay a dragon, rescue a maiden, and save a kingdom. Yet beneath this familiar chivalric framework, Spenser weaves a profound spiritual allegory.
As our noble but naive hero confronts not only external terrors but also the labyrinth of his own flawed heart, he discovers a humbling truth: a hero must be rescued before he can save anyone.
BOOK TWO:
Sir Guyon navigates a world designed to test every facet of self-restraint. Refusing to present temperance as mere moderation, Spenser plunges his knight into the psychological complexities of human desire. As Guyon journeys toward Acrasia's Bower of Bliss, he confronts increasingly seductive temptations, ultimately destroying the beautiful but corrupting bower. Through Guyon's trials, Spenser explores the vigilance required to maintain virtue in the face of enticement.
Many have attempted to read Edmund Spenser's 1590s epic The Faerie Queene, only to be discouraged by language even more difficult than Shakespeare's. Now, educator Rebecca K. Reynolds presents a text-faithful prose rendering that gradually introduces Spenser's distinctive vocabulary, preparing readers to engage confidently with the original text. Richly illustrated by fantasy artist Justin Gerard, this three-volume set shares the adventures of knights who confront monsters, wizards, enchantresses, and their own weaknesses. Prince Arthur also seeks his love, Gloriana, the elusive Faerie Queene. Welcome Spenser's grand adventure, a tale that inspired generations of fantasy writers, now accessible to all.
AUTHOR BIO:
REBECCA K. REYNOLDS first became interested in creating a text-faithful rendering of The Faerie Queene while reading Book One, Canto One to a classroom full of ninth graders. Her students were initially discouraged by Spenser's archaic text, but after she stayed up all night creating a more accessible but accurate rendering, their interest piqued. This inspired her to create a tool others could use to start learning Spenser's world.
After seven years of teaching, Reynolds was asked to become the Associate Publisher for Oasis Family Media and the Publisher of Sky Turtle Press. Outside of teaching and publishing, her creative work includes writing lyrics for Ron Block of Alison Krauss, Union St
