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edorend's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nicholasblondell's review against another edition
4.5
Brilliant! Love that even in the 8th century the hero’s journey was being subverted. Fate comes for us all, no matter our deeds.
griffinswing's review against another edition
I actually read two versions of this simultaneously (well, nearly), just to compare the translations. Turns out I like the Seamus Heaney version better than Tolkien. Tolkein made it into more of a short story, while Heaney preserved the poetic feel the original was supposed to have.
rhi_rhi's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
chris_dech's review against another edition
2.0
The story of the Geat warrior and king, the titular protagonist is ultimately a one-dimensional figure whose main character traits are his love of battle and God. While certainly he exhibits noble qualities like strength, compassion, a sense of duty, and a relative sense of humility, Beowulf leaves much to be desired in the way of a hero. In other words, he is basically an overpowered man, singlehandedly ripping off limbs and killing angry mothers. While certainly I cannot fault the story and the writers themselves, I nonetheless cannot overlook the fact that Beowulf is a boring hero.
On that point, the plot itself is also rather lacking, mainly consisting of Beowulf fighting a monster, his mother, and then a dragon in his old age, and then interspersed with stories of Vikings and Scandinavian valour and tragedy. I think the main strength of Beowulf as a story is more towards creating a rich world of Vikings and kings and bravery rather than a real hero’s journey. This is not a problem but I do wish there was more than just a storied world for Beowulf to inhabit and thrive in.
Heaney’s translation leaves little to desire: his translation and verse are rhythmic and rolling, and properly feels like a story being told to an audience (as it is later revealed), à la Homer or Vergil. Heaney’s translation makes the story a little more enjoyable, making the world seem a little bigger and more alive, but even he could not fix what I find lacking.
On that point, the plot itself is also rather lacking, mainly consisting of Beowulf fighting a monster, his mother, and then a dragon in his old age, and then interspersed with stories of Vikings and Scandinavian valour and tragedy. I think the main strength of Beowulf as a story is more towards creating a rich world of Vikings and kings and bravery rather than a real hero’s journey. This is not a problem but I do wish there was more than just a storied world for Beowulf to inhabit and thrive in.
Heaney’s translation leaves little to desire: his translation and verse are rhythmic and rolling, and properly feels like a story being told to an audience (as it is later revealed), à la Homer or Vergil. Heaney’s translation makes the story a little more enjoyable, making the world seem a little bigger and more alive, but even he could not fix what I find lacking.
laiseabeeton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
pine's review against another edition
4.0
i like the rhythm of it as i read it aloud. fascinating translation choices, i'd love to read a version with translator notes/annotations.
marsius's review against another edition
5.0
An incredibly readable and enjoyable translation. Maria Dahvana Headley translates “hwæt” as “Bro!” She explains the choice in the front matter, basically saying she envisions the narrator as a dude at the end of the bar trying to tell his story and using “bro” as a semi-friendly way to demand ownership of the space. And it makes sense. Not everyone will love some of her choices (at one point she drops “hashtag: blessed”), but considering how brash and even uncouth Beowulf is portrayed throughout the story, especially in his early years, things like saying Beowulf gave “zero shits” about the prospect of death or that “anyone who fucks with the Geats, bro, they have to fuck with me” in many ways come across as more true than higher minded portrayals.