"The Faerie Queene" is an excellent poem, and this book is an excellent resource for a first read-through, full of excellent notes. ( )

This is actually a great story, even with all the morality and religious undertones, it is really well written, and I am really happy I had to read this for class. Will definitely check out more of the Fairie Quene later!

The style is amazing, how can someone write a long story in poem form, with the stanzas always the same, with both end-rhyme and alliteration? And it is also really good to see where some inspiration for contemporary books must have come from. ( )

Of all of the classic English literature that I have read, The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser is among my favorites. The funny thing is, I don't have that much love for reading poetry (I can appreciate it for it's merits, but it's normally not my cup of tea,) but I thoroughly enjoyed this book length poem.

The main story is of the Redcrosse Knight and his lady love Una, a princess who has asked her betrothed to rid the kingdom of a terrible dragon. Along the way they must face many challenges (and much allegory,) which makes for quite an entertaining tale. My favorite part of the story is the Redcrosse Knight's experiences in the House of Pride.

Overall, this is a rich allegorical tale full of knights, princesses, and evil creatures of myth and legend all written in a beautifully constructed verse that flows wonderfully. I haven't read any of the other books of the Faerie Queene, but Book 1 was fantastic. ( )

Brilliant, but requires patience. ( )

I'm so glad I had this book to introduce me to Spenser. It doesn't actually have the words "Don't Panic" written in large, friendly letters across the front; but the uncluttered page layout, definitions of archaic words in the margins, and helpful, funny footnotes (sometimes advising the characters or getting a bit shippy over Una and Redcrosse) make this an absolute delight to read. On top of all this you have the story (which is thrilling), the introduction and prologue (amusing & informative) and sundry other little features.

If you ever wanted to read Spenser but got scared off by the very archaic language, or the length, start here and you'll be as enthralled as I was. ( )