#I also agree that Benjamin Foster and Herbert Mason version are the most enjoyable for first timer

[1-lightofjustice]

There's also Epic of Gilgamesh by Danny P Jackson, but for me personally not really recommended to OP since it skips some parts that are crucial in my opinion (like Enkidu turned to bless Shamhat after cruelly cursing her, completely speedrun battle with Humbaba with just like 6 short sentence) and for writer's bias toward non-sexual brotherly relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu (which indeed still valid interpretation but not one I agree with). For example his rendering on one of gayest Gilgamesh and Enkidu segment in tablet 12 :

(I mean, whether old translation that said Enkidu described some female lover's vulva to Gilgamesh or translation that said Enkidu described his own penis and 'sweet spot' to Gilgamesh, for me the bits about Underworld have no sex and Gilgamesh despaired about it is kinda important for Gilgamesh's characterization as my horny himbo imho. But again that's up to interpretation. Still "skin and bones" is eh... The book also skipped any mention of kiss, which is lame).

But all flaws aside, you can enjoy this book for your Gilga-archiving or seeing different kind of perspective (while enjoying the writer's effort on no-homoing Gilgamesh's Wet Dream part and Lament for Enkidu part). This book also composed with pretty neat rhyme so it's more pleasant to read, plus some rad illustrations like this one :

And this is the quote I love most from this book

“Hold my hand in yours, and we will not fear what hands like ours can do.”

P:S = @haustafall HOLY MARDUK I DESPERATELY NEED THE DEREK HINES GILGAMESH PLAY PRETTY PLEASE TELL ME WHERE CAN I HAVE IT (preferable the e-book version)

can anyone on this gay ass website give me an opinion on which translation of the epic of gilgamesh i should read? ive been wanting to read it for ages but theres a number of common translations and i know translations can make or break a story; i dont want to start with the wrong one