Beowulf

by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Retelling), Charles Keeping (Illustrator)

This is the story of a young man who travelled far across the sea to fight two terrifying monsters-one who could rip a man apart and drink his blood, the other who lived like a sea-wolf at the bottom of a dark, blood-stained lake. The young hero's name was Beowulf, and his story, first written
in Anglo-Saxon in the eighth century, has become one of the world's most famous epics. Kevin Crossley-Holland retells the story for children in quick-paced, rhythmical prose accompanied by Charles Keeping's striking illustrations. Together they bring to life the beauty and power of one of the first
great English poems.

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

48 pages, Paperback

Published July 22, 1999

About the author

Kevin Crossley-Holland is an English poet and prize-winning author for children. His books include Waterslain Angels, a detective story set in north Norfolk in 1955, and Moored Man: A Cycle of North Norfolk Poems; Gatty's Tale, a medieval pilgrimage novel; and the Arthur trilogy (The Seeing Stone, At the Crossing-Places and King of the Middle March), which combines historical fiction with the retelling of Arthurian legend.

The Seeing Stone won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award and the Smarties Prize Bronze Medal. The Arthur trilogy has won worldwide critical acclaim and has been translated into 21 languages.

Crossley-Holland has translated Beowulf from the Anglo-Saxon, and his retellings of traditional tales include The Penguin Book of Norse Myths and British Folk Tales (reissued as The Magic Lands). His collaborations with composers include two operas with Nicola Lefanu ("The Green Children" and "The Wildman") and one with Rupert Bawden, "The Sailor’s Tale"; song cycles with Sir Arthur Bliss and William Mathias; and a carol with Stephen Paulus for King’s College, Cambridge. His play, The Wuffings, (co-authored with Ivan Cutting) was produced by Eastern Angles in 1997.

He often lectures abroad on behalf of the British Council, regularly leads sessions for teachers and librarians, and visits primary and secondary schools. He offers poetry and prose workshops and talks on the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, King Arthur, heroines and heroes, and myth, legend and folk-tale.

After seven years teaching in Minnesota, where he held an Endowed Chair in the Humanities, Kevin Crossley-Holland returned to the north Norfolk coast in East Anglia, where he now lives.

He has a Minnesotan wife, Linda, two sons (Kieran and Dominic) and two daughters (Oenone and Eleanor). He is an Honorary Fellow of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, a patron of the Society of Storytelling and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

but can u rlly blame Grendel's ma? Life’s a bit shit, lives in the soggy pits, son’s just been murdered, descended from Cain - literally fated to live an awful life with no respite and eternally outcast with no chance of redemption. Tbf I’d be bitter too. Bit dramatic on Grendel’s mother’s behalf like but at the end of the day she is a monster, gonna be a bit barbaric by default. Just needs some scran.

[Coenraad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Crossley-Holland flexes his muscles yet again and delivers an exciting, excellent version of Beowulf. His use of a bard at the beginning, who provides the background and historical context and entices the hero's involvement, shows how he keeps his young readership in mind.

Crossley-Holland is bekend vir sy knap oorvertel van bestaande verhale. Hierdie weergawe van Beowulf demonstreer sy vaardighede en sy vermoë om sy jong teikenlesers in gdagte te hou.

[James Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good re-telling of the classic Anglo-Saxon legend. It’s a slow start and end but once the action starts in the middle it’s engrossing and the pace really picks up. I’ve read several versions of the legend and this is amongst the best.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite children's books and have used it in a Grade 5 class. The boys loved it and it got the relutant readers and writers thinking and creating!

[katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was prep for reading the big long Beowulf so I'm not sure how fit I am to judge it. But I liked it! The illustrations are totally creepy.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with Y7. They seem to like monsters and mayhem!

And again - I must say it grows on me every time I teach it!

Though we are changing our curriculum again so it's off for a while.

[Laima Bryden]

The illustrations are quite graphic and make the text come to life. Dramatic storyline.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Finest modern translation in that it is more accurate than Heaney’s while having the same sensibilities.

[Sophiedimmock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations, a classic book to use in English lessons and produced some good stories using pop up illustrations inspired by the monsters within Beowulf.

[Kevin Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading some different versions of Beowulf ready to teach year 7 this term. A decent transcription with wonderfully evocative images

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really interesting and got me really interested. Even though it sometimes was boring it the exciting parts made up for that. It was a good book that made me really interested.

[Sargun Saddhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

rereading the part specifically about the fight with grendel. i still love it.

[Ellie Doubleday · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Anglo-Saxon legend story which breaks down a part of History for young children in a slightly more digestible manor. More appropriate for upper KS2 as some of the story is hard to follow due to the Anglo-Saxon names and phrases.
Arguably, the book starts slow as we are introduced to the characters but there are latter parts of the book which children will get their teeth into as the pace builds and violence intensifies.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Efter att ha läst Robert Nyes prosatolkning från 1968, blev jag besviken på denna prosatolkning från 1982. Alla kristna spår (som kanske hamnade i historien för att den skrevs ner av kristna munkar?) är här borttagna, så historien känns mest som en sorts otrolig 'spider-man' historia men utan djupare symboler eller tankar.

[Vera Milena · Rating 1 out of 5]

An interesting read in terms of historical importance. Otherwise, it read as a very outdated male-centred story that glorified violence. Can spark a conversation about outdated belief systems, why violence shouldn't be the first reaction to a conflict, about the ability to accept help, arrogance and toxic masculinity.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in high school and really enjoyed. I felt the story was like King Arthur and the adventures of his knights, but older. It was really entertaining with all the adventures he had and monsters he killed.

[Sienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up a copy of the exquisite Folio Society edition (translated by Kevin Crossley-Holland) a few years ago, self-conscious about not having read it. And now I feel as though I need to check out other translations before offering an opinion. Funny, that. And epic indeed.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my Old English module at university and thoroughly enjoyed it, and after reading the critical literature it made it even better!! I would love to read other translations to see how different intellectuals interpret it, such as Tolkien!

[John Rimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to the boys...pretty good. Enjoyed the artwork. Seemed to soften the terror parts, but still leave enough of an impression on my sons that real monsters are something that you should be afraid of...but brave enough to face in the service of your people.

[Faye Ulph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did struggle to get into the story personally but find it very interesting how it originates from a poem created in Anglo Saxon era! What a great example of stepping back in time and listening to a legend of a true hero where good defeats the bad !!

[Jude’s Book Life! · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good, I read it in school a while ago and it’s better than I remember. I am not rating 5 stars because there were a few times were the writing just didn’t make much sense to me, but I guess other people would find easy. I love the film too, I actually like the film more than the book!

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite sort of story personally. Appreciated the rich history and preservation of this story. A story of Beowulf killing monster enemies before becoming King, and the story of how he came to his death.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great retelling of the legend with lots of scene setting descriptions and fantastic ghoulish illustrations. I remember this book vividly from primary school, which I suppose is my earliest memory of learning about/engaging with literature.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came recommended by TWTM. The kids thought the pictures were fascinating and the story was IMO a great introduction to Beowulf.

[B.G. Brainard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very readable retelling of the story of the young man Beowulf told in strong, rhythmical prose for children and adults. The illustrations are also well done.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept finding this book in the library and finally read it....
Reminded me of Game of Thrones!

[Nick Swarbrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid and close to the earlier text, immensely readable and full of poetry. Maybe it should be my choice for World Poetry Day?

[Jane Scholey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this version of this brilliant and exciting story!

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I definitely took more out of Beowulf the second time through, but it was still quite dry and boring.

[Dimon Rovniy]

wanna read