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Penguin Classics Beowulf by Michael Alexander

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58 people want to read

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506k books3,208 followers
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5 stars
30 (32%)
4 stars
29 (31%)
3 stars
25 (27%)
2 stars
8 (8%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Bianca Vecchio.
167 reviews3 followers
May 25, 2024
Just beautiful! I have always loved old English writing but this translation was just so lyrical and accessible. As recommended I read this through listening to the audio book. Beowulf was meant to be heard not read this format was stunningly orated and made me feel closer to the original intended audience 😍
Profile Image for Samuel Leask.
125 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2024
Translation was awesome; as a Tolkien fan I ate this up like a Michelin-starred meal
3 reviews
January 17, 2025
The language is epic, although hard to understand. Best when listened to as if it was an oral story. Even the commenter says it’s “not meant to be readable, but listened to.”
Profile Image for Sandy Millin.
Author 7 books43 followers
September 12, 2024
It was interesting to read this but I found it quite hard going at times. I knew bits of the Grendel part of the story having seen a film version at one point. I found it challenging to keep track of all the names, despite the notes in the book.
Profile Image for Brandon Skanes.
Author 104 books41 followers
October 8, 2024
I prefer the Seamus Heaney translation, but this was still good.
Profile Image for Matilda.
1 review
December 30, 2024
Usually I wouldn't rate an epic so low, but this translation really let the story down.
1 review
January 31, 2025
i had no idea what was going on, should probably re read, want to read the seamus heany version
Profile Image for Nomsfxx.
31 reviews2 followers
October 16, 2025
pretty pawsome as one might say

I like homoerotic friendships / comradery
Profile Image for Isla (lovednonebutyou).
51 reviews
March 13, 2025
Everyone say thank you Michael Alexander for the commentary because that's going to get me through rereading this again tomorrow (and it's what increased my rating from 3 stars to 4)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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