Boombana
Publications

The Perceval of Chrétien de Troyes according to Guiot

Ed. by J. Keith Atkinson (Univ. of Queensland)

Brisbane: Boombana Publications
(86 pages, 210 x 297 mm, spiral , ISBN 0646061690)

From the author's Preface

Yet another edition of Chrétien's Perceval! This presentation of a manuscript text provides an alternative and experimental answer to the problem of how best to present manuscript texts to a modern audience while giving full weight to the choices made by professional medieval scribes. The title, The Perceval of Chrétien de Troyes according to Guiot, echoes a formulaic pattern such as "The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew". Guiot is the name of the scribe whose work has come down to us in the manuscript housed in Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, fr. 794. That copy is a witness then, a witness amongst others to a word received. This edition represents that word as faithfully as possible in the dress Guiot chose; it differs from existing editions in that it does not provide notes but it visually represents the manuscript formatting of three columns per page each of 44 lines of verse; it respects exactly Guiot's choice of spelling, rhyme, vocabulary and positioning of capitals. Apart from the resolution of manuscript abbreviations and a concession to modern readers in the form of apostrophes and some acents, it is not punctuated. The text is intended to provide both a challenge to students being initiated into the reading of medieval texts and also a much needed exact basis for medieval language studies and the pursuit of new interpretative developments which recognise in a very precise way the concepts of "measure, number and weight" in the very constitution of manuscript texts. The Perceval is the first of a proposed series.

Recent research on these texts reveals that there are hidden arithmetical and geometric patterns of cosmic purport in line counts, capitalisation and positioning of episodes at certain strategic points in the text. Virtually all modern critical editions obfuscate such matters rendering difficult, if not impossible, further interpretative research which would pay attention to such matters. Given the medieval fascination with the concepts of "measure, number and weight", the existence of such hidden proportional arrangements need not surprise us.

Such an edition does not necessarily intend to replace modern critical editions; but it does intend to subvert them, to suggest that they be used warily, to warn against possible modern mutilations introduced into the products of another era in the name of "corrections and emendations".

The text is not designed only for research purposes; it can and has been used as a class-room text for students of Old French at the tertiary level. The experience can be a rewarding challenge.

TO ORDER

NET PRICE in Australian currency (AUD $1 = approx. USD $0.78 at 6 January 2007) :
Within Australia: AUD$27.50 free post including GST
To Pacific or Asian Countries: AUD$31 including Air postage
To other countries: AUD$34.60 including Air postage
See today's exchange rates HERE ==> Personal Currency Assistant

You can buy on line through a secure server.

TO BUY NOW from Australia click here ==> ADD TO CART

TO BUY NOW from a Pacific or Asian country click here ==> ADD TO CART

TO BUY NOW from other countries click here ==> ADD TO CART

To see your cart's content click here ==> VIEW CART

or ORDER by fax or snail post
(if faxing please send a confirmation note by e-mail).

We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX (provide card No. and expiry date)
and cheques/drafts in AUD drawn on an Australian bank.
For cheques in foreign currencies, please ask for a quote.

BOOMBANA Publications
PO Box 118, Mt Nebo 4520, Australia
Fax: (07) 3289 8107 - (int +61 7 3289 8107)
E-mail: J.Lacherez@uq.net.au

  Return to
Boombana Catalogue

Last updated 25/2/07