Jenny Lewis relocates Gilgamesh to its earlier, oral roots in a Sumerian society where men and women were more equal, the reigning deity of Gilgamesh’s city, Uruk, was female (Inanna), only women were allowed to brew beer and keep taverns and women had their own language – emesal. With this shift of emphasis, Lewis captures the powerful allure of the world’s oldest poem and gives it a fresh dynamic while creating a fast-paced narrative for a new generation of readers.
‘Not simply a retelling of the ancient epic; it is the spirited response of a contemporary poet to the original legend.’
Theodore Ziolkowski, Gilgamesh Among Us
SEMINAR, PRIVATE VIEW & CARCANET BOOK LAUNCH
Wednesday 3 October, 2018,
Goldsmiths, University of London
Free admission to seminar – to attend please email Maria MacDonald, m.macdonald@gold.ac.uk‘
NATIONAL POETRY DAY EVENT
Thursday 4 October 2018,
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
WOODSTOCK POETRY FESTIVAL EVENT
Thursday 11 November, 2018
Oxfordshire launch of Gilgamesh Retold followed by the festival’s popular open mic session. Tickets £5. To buy a ticket/ book a slot contact 01993 812760, or email info@woodstockbookshop.co.uk.
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