Description Why has the Parzival legend had such a lasting hold on the human imagination? In part it might be because this medieval epic strikes a peculiarly modern tone. It is one of the first works to portray the inner development of its hero, and thus translates the dominant religious mythos of the West into terms amenable to individual imagination and experience. As we follow Parzival’s transformation from a “knight of the sword” into a “knight of the word,” we witness spiritual truths translated into the language of life. This version of Parzival is an offering to the human community, based on a belief that the timeless wisdom contained in the Grail legend makes it a true “vessel of grace.” A worthy contribution to the Grail literature, Daniel Polikoff’s inspired translation captures the high drama and lyric beauty of Miller’s art. These dramatic recastings of the German original build a bridge to modern times, and admirably reflect the ideals and enthusiasm for the spirit that the Grail legends evoke in so many seekers. — Bruce T. Donehower, PhD University of California, Davis
