Beowulf

by Unknown, Michael Alexander (Translator)

When an evil monster terrorizes the land, only one man can stop him. A new horror stalks the ancient kingdom of the Danes. Grendel, a hideous beast, has crawled from hell to lay waste to the country and devour its people. His reign of slaughter seems unstoppable. The mighty warrior Beowulf comes forward to fight this demonic enemy. But Grendel has a powerful and deadly ally. Can Beowulf survive the rage of a fiendish mother who will destroy anyone who harms her child?

Genres: Classics, Poetry, Fiction, Fantasy, Literature, School, Read For School

117 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2006

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Unknown" when the author or editor (as applicable) is not known and cannot be discovered. If at all possible, list at least one actual author or editor for a book instead of using "Unknown".

Books whose authorship is purposefully withheld should be attributed instead to Anonymous.

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Beowulf. How can you rate a long-winded fantasy poem centuries and centuries old? I think it was originally drafted as an Old English song chanted by chanticleers. Beowulf was the original Nordic monster slayer. I read this ages ago, when I was in high school, long before I could appreciate story-lines and character development. I remember being fascinated with the background; the frozen seas, the dark forests, the empty bogs, with their lurking monsters and worms. This book contains many more Christian references than I remember but maybe I just notice them more. A good book to reread after you have had a full life to look back and reflect upon.

[Rabbia Riaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally the Last Lines of the Last Literary book I Listened on Librivox Leisurely Lying on (not my) bed in Legroom Latenight in Lahore in the Last minutes of the Last hour of the Last Lively day of the Last week of the Last month of the Last year in Little Low mood Lately bcz I Love Literature and Live Literature
La-LaLa-LaLa-La
'After they burn my body, tell my warriors to build a great burial mound on the cliffs that stick out into the sea. The sailors steering their ships on the gloomy waters will see it and call it Beowulf's barrow, and my people will remember me."

[Andrew H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and useful translation

[Diego Arias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estoy mas que fascinado por esa prosa tan antigua y diferente. Aunque hibo muchas palabras que tuve que buscar el ritmo y la acción de la historia me parecieron epicas y hasta inspiradoras. Los heroes y villanos fueron muy acertados y creo que es un gran acercamiento a la literatura medieval y poema epico. Quedo con muchas ganas de leer mas cosas así. Btw dato random que quizas a nadie le importe: en una obra teatral de mi colegio hace años fui el rey Hrothgar

[klau · Rating 3 out of 5]

first reading for my english literature class, and i'm just so happy that i understood it that i don't really care about what's going on. i was expecting something much worse so slay. 2'5/5

[ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Dragon was just guarding his pretty things :(

[Alberto Monroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being an Epic Poem, I knew what to expect from it, yet was, as always happens with me, inspired by the notions of heroism, honor, friendship surpassing the love of kinship, unending belligerent spirit and dreams of everlasting grandeur to be told of in songs. That is what Beowulf is, a poem that tells of a great hero, trying to leave his mark in this world, to have his name named by everyone in the world; and as an Epic, you get exactly that, for its narrative is quite linear, even when characters voice their thoughts, which most of the times are repetetive and tautological. When reading Beowulf, it is appreciation for its significance as a historical document, telling of the English people's ancestry through the eyes of a christian man, that makes it interesting, to see how the word of god is poised on heathen lips. The trascendent Christian style of the poem makes it a subject of a unity that does not allow any deviation or choosing of paths within its textuality; and the logocentric image to which we go back to again and again, strangles the story, squeezing the passionate life of Beowulf with allmighty hands. Although the poem does capture the impassioned liveliness of these people, it gets boring for it doesn't provide anything new. I had to really force myself to finish reading it, since it redundantly extends and painfully stretches into the following scenes, on which you lose track by stumbling into the oddest names of characters which are not strongly enough embraced by the narrative. The poem ends with an elegy, with the words proffered by the hero himself, told of by a brother in arms that was witness to his last words. All being said, it is a great work of art, and beautifully told from a christian perspective.

[TiffanyLamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, I was slowly salivating all over my arm and could barely make out the voices around me. One by one, the voices would change, and I was forced to break away from what I was doing to hear a word or two, but they were quickly dismissed. Then, my 11th grade English teacher calls my name and I abruptly raise my head from my desk and open my eyes as wide as I can to prove that I was NOT sleeping. It was my turn to read from the story in our school books. I began to read and noticed that I was not the only one who had absolutely no interest in what was being read. As I continued, the story line started to grab my attention and pull me in. I looked up in amazement and asked my teacher what I was reading. It still amazes me that just a few paragraphs of this ancient tale could attract me so quickly. Since then, this has been one of my favorite stories I read in high school.

In case anyone was wondering, I did pass all the work and tests that were associated with this assignment. And I did not enjoy the computer animated junk of a movie that was released following my new found love. It is a classic, translated over time and should remain as such, in my opinion.

[Andres Borbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿Qué decir de esta historia? La he leído montones de veces y me encanta. Probablemente se trate de ese gusto infantil que persiste a lo largo de toda la vida, pues mi primer acercamiento a Beowulf fue cuando tenía 9 ó 10 años. Un amigo llevó a la escuela un libro profusamente ilustrado que contaba las hazañas del héroe godo y quedé fascinado leyéndolo en lugar de poner atención a la maestra. Pedí que me lo prestara pero se negó, argumentando la rigidez de su madre, pero no me convenció. Sin embargo, llevó el libro a la escuela dos días más, con lo que recorrí la historia tres veces y me enamoré de ella. Por las noches, soñaba que yo era Beowulf. Le arrancaba el brazo al cruel Grendel y conseguía levantar la espada del gigante.

Cosas así no se olvidan, pero hay que recordarlas de vez en cuando.

[Kiersten Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, but a good read nonetheless. Beowulf is a rare classic, and one of the oldest, but it has a lot of influence in many areas, namely Skyrim and The Lord of the Rings. I enjoyed reading this style of narrative, it is much different than other formats seen today. Though I find it humorous that Beowulf, a legendary warrior, always fights with his hands either because he is too proud or his sword breaks, usually the latter.

[Matthew Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic I fell in love with while at school, however, my exposure to the story stopped at Grendel’s Mother. Translated into beautiful prose and striking imagery. You can feel every mead-soaked, fire stoked word being shared around open fires by battle-hardened Vikings under the Northern Lights. Finding the rhythm of the text can sometimes prove a little tricky and would probably be better served said aloud as intended. A wonderful piece of classic literature that is worthy of the admiration it receives and a crime the unknown true author cannot garner the recognition they so deserve.

[Maya Elkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The alliterative verse is actually quite soothing to read. This epic is widely considered one of the oldest pieces of English literature. The trials Beowulf experiences are entertaining and show him to be a true hero. Wiglaf is my favorite though...

[Laurence Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first significant literary works in English, the epic poem Beowulf portrays the great battles of Beowulf, hero of the Geats. Through the depiction of Beowulf, the desirable attributes of the Anglo-Saxons, including loyalty, bravery, and honesty, are celebrated.

[Gilbert Rayner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epic that is over 1000 years old

[Jared Berriman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true epic depicting perhaps the greatest hero ever penned. Read it aloud you coward.

[Jack Kostiuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading all the books I missed in High School. I set a goal to read them when my kids were in school and I have 3 in school right now, so I am a busy reader!

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that changed my perception of literature. After this, I knew the world of Literature and Human History was greater than I could have ever imagined as a child.

It opened up a World of Mystery to me about the Ancient Past. And it still lives on within me to this day as I delve into my Studies in Archaeology, and the ancient Anthropological Origins of the Human Species and their Ancient Culture of Storytelling.

And I love how the original story of the Slaying of Grendel has a sequel. Just when you thought it was safe to go to bed at night, along comes Grendel's Mother to terrorize you! Cool stuff!

My favorite reference to Beowulf is on the back of the U.S. release of The Beatles "Yellow Submarine" album. There Beowulf's battle with Grendal at Heorot is a precursor to John, Paul, George and Richard Starkey's battle with the Chief Blue Meanie for the redemption of Pepperland!

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Am I allowed to rate a classic epic poem only 2 stars? Nothing against it, just not my personal taste/preference. I didn’t see much development/growth in Beowulf. And violence isn’t my thing, so didn’t love some of the descriptive fight scenes. Still a classic with thought-provoking themes, so that was good, just not my thing.

[Charles Guidry]

Yawn

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second favorite translation; perhaps more accurately translated than Heaney's but not as readable or enjoyable. Did bring new insights however, so was a worthwhile read.

[Caleb Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are few modern examples of characters who can act as such incredible role models as can Beowulf (and my goat wiglaf)

[PBJ Goat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wishbone's Bookclub 🐶📚

[Ludmi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Estaban muy aburridos en esa epoca? Ya quiero terminar la carrera :)

[John Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book favorite book hella weird English tho

[diego · Rating 3 out of 5]

El cantar del mío Cid clears this mess

[Sophia Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was okay, probably not a book i would pick up at barnes and noble and think “wow this is interesting!"

[Angelina Mccabe · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is one of those books i have to read for school that leaves me questioning why the hell i chose to study literature.

[Gabi Sammoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

[Aaron Martz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another reviewer mentioned how this is basically an unfilmed Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, and I agree. It has to be the most macho book I've read. All of the men are greased up hulks with glistening body armor and swords sharp enough to cut God, and their muscles and body armor and swords are described ad nausem, especially the hero, Beowulf, who is Arnold in his Conan days, except Nordic. When they're not out slaughtering enemy armies, they're drinking mead in what is essentially a giant bar they live and sleep in. Kings admire them and heap gold and treasure upon them and women serve them in every possible way and serve no other function. The plot is one action scene after another with drinking and hero worship in between. Beowulf, the greatest hero of them all, is then tasked with killing a giant monster, then its mother, then, because there are still twenty pages or so left, why not a dragon? Finally, because he's the greatest hero of them all and is not without a supremely inflated ego boosted no doubt by everyone calling him the greatest hero of them all over and over again, his dying wish is that a large fort be built in his name on the highest cliff by the greatest architects so that every seafarer on the horizon will remember him forever and ever as the best there ever was and the best there ever will be! It's cheesy fun from beginning to end, and if I had to guess probably inspired more barroom brawls in olden times than any book of the bible.

[Nicholas Morpus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to rate an epic poem passed down, retranslated, and altered so many times that it most likely no longer reflects the original retelling. What is truly fascinating about the story of Beowulf isn’t necessarily the plot itself, which reads like an orally told folklore tale (because that’s what it is), but instead is interesting based on the history that shaped the modern understanding of the tale.

What started as a Norse epic poem of heroism and strength evolved into an example of cultured stories changing based on conquest. The known rendition of Beowulf is essentially a manufacturing concocted by catholic munks after the British lands were conquered by the Romans, where Beowulf is now a hero killing the monster Grendel for king, country, and the Christian God, rather than simply to aid the king of the Gaets.

But still, either way, the story is a great example of heroic Norse storytelling in the tradition of oral folklore and an interesting introduction into the discussion of shifting cultural storytelling throughout history.