What do you think?
Rate this book
Beowulf
PBS Recommended Translation for Spring 2013
The Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf is brought to life by American poet Meghan Purvis in a vigorous contemporary translation. Written across a range of poetic forms and voices, this rendering captures the thrust and gore of battle, the sinister fens and moorlands of Dark Age Denmark, and the treasures and glories of the mead-hall. But can the hero defeat his blood-thirsty foes, save the Geats from being wiped off the map, and claim his just rewards?
Combining faithful translation with innovative re-workings and poems from alternative viewpoints, Purvis has created an exciting new interpretation of Beowulf – full of verve and the bristle of language.
Meghan Purvis received her MA and PhD in Creative Writing from UEA. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Rialto, The Frogmore Papers and Magma. She won the 2011 Times Stephen Spender Prize for an excerpt from her translation of Beowulf; another poem was commended. She lives in Cambridge.
The Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf is brought to life by American poet Meghan Purvis in a vigorous contemporary translation. Written across a range of poetic forms and voices, this rendering captures the thrust and gore of battle, the sinister fens and moorlands of Dark Age Denmark, and the treasures and glories of the mead-hall. But can the hero defeat his blood-thirsty foes, save the Geats from being wiped off the map, and claim his just rewards?
Combining faithful translation with innovative re-workings and poems from alternative viewpoints, Purvis has created an exciting new interpretation of Beowulf – full of verve and the bristle of language.
Meghan Purvis received her MA and PhD in Creative Writing from UEA. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Rialto, The Frogmore Papers and Magma. She won the 2011 Times Stephen Spender Prize for an excerpt from her translation of Beowulf; another poem was commended. She lives in Cambridge.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2021
3 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 2, 2021
Jumps to my #1 Beowulf translation (of 13 and counting).
Its splitting into titled poems -- often one to a page, to make a poem-sequence of the whole -- and into distinct voices and perspectives, brings out the complexity of the text. This strategy proved its strength in the complex narrative of the second half, which can seem convoluted or drawn-out: but here the splitting-up, using different verse forms, handled the material with grace and cogency. So the moods of the poem were allowed to shine through, and in particular, that problem-second-half revealed the ineffable sadness of the original.
Purvis makes some additions and elaborations -- for mine, in keeping with the poem's spirit. There is a touch of creative anachronism, but no ahistoricity of tone and sentiment.
Perhaps a little understated in certain cruxes that I love, but that's me, over-egging my Beowulf as usual.
The most interesting version I know.
Its splitting into titled poems -- often one to a page, to make a poem-sequence of the whole -- and into distinct voices and perspectives, brings out the complexity of the text. This strategy proved its strength in the complex narrative of the second half, which can seem convoluted or drawn-out: but here the splitting-up, using different verse forms, handled the material with grace and cogency. So the moods of the poem were allowed to shine through, and in particular, that problem-second-half revealed the ineffable sadness of the original.
Purvis makes some additions and elaborations -- for mine, in keeping with the poem's spirit. There is a touch of creative anachronism, but no ahistoricity of tone and sentiment.
Perhaps a little understated in certain cruxes that I love, but that's me, over-egging my Beowulf as usual.
The most interesting version I know.
January 17, 2024
Niet slecht, beter dan studeren. Wrs was ik niet aand8ig genoeg aan het lezen, want plots is die weer in een gevecht een monster aan het neersteken. Good for him👍👍💅💅🎀
May 22, 2021
This is a great interpretation of Beowulf through poetry, you can see every influence and every poem is extremely layered if you look close enough.
November 11, 2021
Marvelous retelling of Beowulf that captures all the story and adds something extra through multiple voices that allows the reader to experience this epic in a fresh way.
I'm glad I had read Seamus Heaney's translation before reading this, and delighted to have had two such wonderful experiences of this literary treasure.
I'm glad I had read Seamus Heaney's translation before reading this, and delighted to have had two such wonderful experiences of this literary treasure.
September 1, 2024
An innovative translation (or perhaps - transformation?) of Beowulf breathes new life into the epic by giving voice to characters often overlooked, creating a vivid microcosm of Anglo-Saxon society. The strategic use of Old English alongside modern language adds layers of depth to the spiritual and cultural conflicts depicted. It marries the past and present in a way to explore other stories hidden within the original poem. Additionally, it offers a fresh and thought-provoking critique of Beowulf’s personality and character, making it a compelling follow-up to earlier translations. This accessible and humanising retelling also serves as an excellent introduction for younger readers to engage with the epic in a meaningful way. Highly recommended!
March 11, 2024
see it was so good that parts made me a bit squeamish, to be honest. Like the descriptions ?? so well done!!! But also... Yucky :,,,)
Very much enjoyed this!!! I read the paperback version, but it's only bringing up the kindle edition for some reason.
Very much enjoyed this!!! I read the paperback version, but it's only bringing up the kindle edition for some reason.
March 19, 2024
Beautiful version/"translation" of Beowulf. I have read it in the OE, and translations by Heaney and Liuzza, and this is certainly up there with them - does an excellent job at capturing the pathos, dignity and held emotion of the original poem for the 21st c. reader/comprehender of lyric
August 31, 2024
Beautiful version/"translation" of Beowulf. I have read it in the OE, and translations by Heaney and Liuzza, and this is certainly up there with them - does an excellent job at capturing the pathos, dignity and held emotion of the original poem for the 21st c. reader/comprehender of lyric
September 14, 2021
One of my favourite translations. Purvis is so masterfully economic in her use of language; such simple turns of phrase produce piercingly evocative images. This is so invigorating to read.
August 27, 2022
Delicious. Thought I would still be hungry after, but it was just filling enough.
September 13, 2025
A wonderful "translation" (more an adaptation), that stays true to the spirit of the original while highlighting a number of voices lost in the narration of the original.
February 26, 2024
I read this for a Beowulf class in university and loved it. It's a fascinating interpretation of Beowulf with beautifully written poems.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews