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knitting_sword's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
desibaker83's review against another edition
4.0
This was pretty good and not at all what I expected from a Crichton novel. In case you’re wondering this is, actually fiction. I found a lot of bad information about this online. He based the character and background in the beginning off the real Ibn Fadlin, however he then weaves this into the tale of Beowulf while keeping to the conversational journal format. He wrote this astonishingly well keeping that in mind.
___tamara___'s review against another edition
2.0
I love the movie, so I thought I'd give the book a try. I never thought I'd say this - the movie is better. Or rather, the movie reproduced the book almost verbatim, but the writing was so dry I needed a month to finish it while the movie is... well, the movie - fun and over in less than two hours.
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
Well done audio Listened to this after reading and both were after watching the film. To be brutally honest my favourite experience was the film.
An Arab diplomat goes on adventures in northern viking lands and the events of Beowulf unfold, It's an interesting look at the story and the adventures that they have. It makes me want to explore Beowulf.
An Arab diplomat goes on adventures in northern viking lands and the events of Beowulf unfold, It's an interesting look at the story and the adventures that they have. It makes me want to explore Beowulf.
classiccarson's review against another edition
5.0
that is the best historical fiction has ever looked
respectabiggle7's review against another edition
5.0
I like many of Crichton's novels, but for me this is his best. It is an adaptation of Beowulf, but highly original. Gives an in-depth look into the culture of the "Northern peoples" (Vikings), as well as providing the supernatural factor of the monster Grendel. Fascinating, poetically written, and captivating story!
soup_of_mandrake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and War
toc's review against another edition
3.0
Quite an enjoyable read. Based on the journals of an Arabian traveler who ran with some Vikings in the early first century. I think the title, while accurate, is a little misleading. It gives the book a horror vibe it really doesn't have. Don't judge it by its cover! ;0)
In some ways I wish I had read the appendix first. As it was I kept wondering which parts are from the original journal and which Crichton created from the whole cloth. I was also haunted by a feeling of familiarity the whole time I was reading. And that was certainly explained quite neatly 8in the appendix.
In some ways I wish I had read the appendix first. As it was I kept wondering which parts are from the original journal and which Crichton created from the whole cloth. I was also haunted by a feeling of familiarity the whole time I was reading. And that was certainly explained quite neatly 8in the appendix.
jessameseed's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0