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Amadis of Gaul

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Amadis of Gaul is a classic tale of chivalry and romance, set in the mythical kingdom of Gaul. The story follows the adventures of the noble knight Amadis as he embarks on quests to prove his worthiness and win the love of his lady.

The characters are richly drawn and the plot is filled with intrigue, betrayal, and love triangles that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The prose is lyrical and beautifully crafted, transporting the reader to a world of knights in shining armor and damsels in distress.

One of the standout features of this book is the strong moral code that drives the actions of the characters. Honor, loyalty, and courage are central themes that run throughout the story, making it a timeless and inspiring read.

Overall, Amadis of Gaul is a captivating and engaging tale that will appeal to fans of medieval literature and epic adventures. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories of heroism, romance, and the triumph of good over evil.

Book Description:
Amadis of Gaul (Amadís de Gaula, in Spanish) was not the first, but certainly one of the best known knight-errantry tales of the 16th century. Not only is its authorship doubtful, but even the language in which it was first written - Portuguese or Spanish. It is imagined to have been composed in the 14th century, but the known first printed edition came to light in Zaragoza in 1508, and the oldest extant version is in Spanish.

The plot is the story of the brave knight Amadis, and starts with the forbidden love of his parents and his secret birth, followed by his abandonment near water. He is found and raised as the son of a knight. Upon reaching adulthood, he goes in a quest for his own identity, and investigates his origins through fantastic adventures: plenty of wizards, princesses, damsels in distress and other knights people the world of Amadis.

Amadis of Gaul, together with Palmerin of England and Tirante the White, are the only books saved from the fire by Quixote's curate, when purging the knight's library: Tirante, for its quaintness; Palmerin, because he thought it had been written by the king himself; and Amadis, for being the best of its kind. Even if Cervante's praise works more as censure, it's a fact that Amadis represents the style as no other, and was the father of a numerous flock, becoming a landmark work among the knight-errantry tales and marking the story of European literature. Dedicated Proof-Listeners: Miss Stav, Becky Cook, & Rapunzelina


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