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Beowulf / translated by Seamus Heaney
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 17, 2025
seamus heaney is amazing for translating this 4 stars bc it’s a classic and the warrior code themes are very clear. annotated every line on kindle so took me ages but it was so thematic!
May 23, 2026
It was very hard reading this book, especially in English. As a part of a special program launched by National Library of Ireland, which focuses on the figure of Seamus Heaney, we have read some of his books in our book club. In some meetings we talked about career, talent, relationships or interviews with friends.
Last month we read Beowulf, a long epic poem that the Irish translated into modern English. Despite the fact that it’s written in modern English I needed to make a big effort to understand some words, simbols, and allusions. The first reason is the language (obviously), but the poem also tells an ancient story with kings, family treasures, Danish and Swedish dynasties and some strange beasts… So, I’m sure a certain background it’s necesary before starting the adventure.
In this case, I found the previous meeting very useful; we talked about the context and the importance of this work in the Heaney’s career. Many people and critics consider it one of the best translations ever made. Fortunately, I could found the English edition in the library and a very good Spanish version on the Internet. So, I needed both.
The poem is so long and so beautiful in some parts, but also cruel. It talks about honor, family, bravery, monsters. I appreciate that the reader understands that there are not bad people in the story. I mean, everyone is fighting for their own side. I believe “Beowulf” teaches us that there are no good guys or bad guys: it all depends on which side of the story you're telling.
Finally, I would like to thank the NLI for organizing the meeting and for helping me discover this passionate poet. Next stop “Death of a Naturalist”.
Last month we read Beowulf, a long epic poem that the Irish translated into modern English. Despite the fact that it’s written in modern English I needed to make a big effort to understand some words, simbols, and allusions. The first reason is the language (obviously), but the poem also tells an ancient story with kings, family treasures, Danish and Swedish dynasties and some strange beasts… So, I’m sure a certain background it’s necesary before starting the adventure.
In this case, I found the previous meeting very useful; we talked about the context and the importance of this work in the Heaney’s career. Many people and critics consider it one of the best translations ever made. Fortunately, I could found the English edition in the library and a very good Spanish version on the Internet. So, I needed both.
The poem is so long and so beautiful in some parts, but also cruel. It talks about honor, family, bravery, monsters. I appreciate that the reader understands that there are not bad people in the story. I mean, everyone is fighting for their own side. I believe “Beowulf” teaches us that there are no good guys or bad guys: it all depends on which side of the story you're telling.
Finally, I would like to thank the NLI for organizing the meeting and for helping me discover this passionate poet. Next stop “Death of a Naturalist”.
March 6, 2026
We were required to write an essay on this book so maybe that made it worse for me… but idk it was still kinda weird. Many issues, like are the people in Hrothgar’s kingdom Christian or not? Because they say Grendel attacked bc they weren’t Christian but later the king prays to god… Also Beowulf shows many traits not very becoming of a Christian so how do we understand the novel through different lenses? All interesting questions I feel like we didn’t get into enough in class but whatever. It was better than the other books we’ve read so…
March 2, 2025
It’s only Seamus Heaney who can make this readable
June 6, 2025
A bloody romp. Still trying to figure out the competing moral frameworks of fate and “God Almighty.”
June 23, 2025
Interesting: unusual plot and digressions, men behaving in a grand style, very good essay of Seamus Heaney in the end.
Ancient classics, read not for fun but for overall education.
Ancient classics, read not for fun but for overall education.
December 2, 2025
Quite a lexicon, brother!
May 25, 2026
old testament but with monsters 7.9/10
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews