Scan barcode
12dejamoo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This translation of Beowulf is really something else. It's so so readable. It reads like a story told in a mead hall, and I think something in the telling really puts the reader into that mental space. I struggled to get through Beowulf last time I read it, but with this translation, it flowed and pulled you along to the next scene. This is the translation to start with and to really get a grasp on the story.
I'll leave this review with these ending lines (3174-3182), so spoiler alert:
They did all this grieving the way men do,
but, bro, no man knows, not me, not you,
how to get to goodbye. His guys tried.
They remembered the right words. Our king!
Lonely ring-wielder! Inheritor of everything!
He was our man, but every man dies.
Here he is now! Here our best boy lies!
He rode hard! He stayed thirsty! He was the man!
He was the man.
I'll leave this review with these ending lines (3174-3182), so spoiler alert:
but, bro, no man knows, not me, not you,
how to get to goodbye. His guys tried.
They remembered the right words. Our king!
Lonely ring-wielder! Inheritor of everything!
He was our man, but every man dies.
Here he is now! Here our best boy lies!
He rode hard! He stayed thirsty! He was the man!
He was the man.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: War
lara_bk's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
rachelwierick's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
strawberrytheauthor's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
I listened to it on audiobook mostly while falling asleep so I missed a lot of it. I really enjoyed the introduction which was mostly the history of the Beowulf. I definitely enjoyed the parts I was tuned in for and plan to reread it in book format.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
madisone's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Finally! I’m done this stupid book! I get it, Beowulf is cool and he kills a bunch of monsters. Great anything more interesting? This book bored me so much that I honestly hated reading and I have a tattoo of books. Historically, this is super important and played a large part in the Nordic culture which is awesome, but I just didn’t care. For such a short book, this felt like it dragged on forever and I couldn’t wait to be done it. There was nothing enjoyable about this book other than reading the last word of it. I guess this could be enjoyable to other people, but I really just needed to get this small rant out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and War
turtleofhades's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
'Such is the feud and emnity, the cruel malice of men, for which I look, in which the Swedish people will come against us, when they learn that our lord is reft of life, who aforetime did guard us against those that hated him his treasury and realm, after the fall of mighty men did rule the sealoving Geats, accomplishing the profit of his people, yea, and before all did knightly deeds.'
Beowulf has always been my favorite epic poem, so having a Tolkien translation is honestly amazing. And reading the addition of Sellic Spell was interesting, although it was a bit off-putting after reading Beowulf. Reading Tolkien's commentary with his son's additions to clarify was amazing as well.
Beowulf has always been my favorite epic poem, so having a Tolkien translation is honestly amazing. And reading the addition of Sellic Spell was interesting, although it was a bit off-putting after reading Beowulf. Reading Tolkien's commentary with his son's additions to clarify was amazing as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and War
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I had to read this for a college course, and I have to admit that it's one of the better books I've had to read for school! The translation and context provided by Seamus Heaney went a long way in my enjoyment and understanding of the epic poem. It reads a lot like the Greek epics: The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid. It's a classic hero's journey tale: Beowulf battles monsters, avenges the lives of those cut down in battle, confusing family trees where all the names sound the same, and lots of hyphenated descriptions of people and beasts.
It may help to know that if you have to read this for school, I was able to read the whole thing in about 6 hours while taking notes for class, and I'm a slow reader. I hope you find it as easy and interesting to read as I did!
It may help to know that if you have to read this for school, I was able to read the whole thing in about 6 hours while taking notes for class, and I'm a slow reader. I hope you find it as easy and interesting to read as I did!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
monsterofidaho's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Fool that I was, I figured this was a revision of a prior translation of Beowulf and not a direct translation from the original text. I’ve never been more delighted to be wrong! The book reads so well on its own but it really takes flight when you listen to the audiobook. Hearing JD Jackson begin with ‘Bro! Tell me we still know how to speak of kings!’ sends a thrill down my spine every time I revisit the audiobook. The poem really feels – almost – like it was in its original time of telling, an epic of inhuman proportions first spoken to an audience of many and now spoken so much more personally to an audience of yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Death and War
monjure's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Blood