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A review by readthesparrow
Beowulf by Santiago García
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
As a lover of Beowulf, I really quite enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation! The references to and reflections on the original poem were really interesting to see (for example, the final funeral scene with the opening lines of the OE poem). The reinterpretations of characters--such as Unferth as a childish, unsure boy--were clever and fresh.
The treatment of Brecca was interesting, too; while nothing is ever explicitly said, the potential for interpretation of García's adaptation is vast. Is Brecca Grendel? Were Beowulf and Brecca a little more than friends? Did Beowulf actually murder Brecca?
The art is gorgeous, too. I especially loved the monster designs (Grendel's Mother's design was my favorite; what can I say, I'm a sucker for monstrous women). The brutality of the fights come through loud and clear, with rich reds and splattered guts.
[NSFW] ||Grendel, uh... arriving at the beginning of the fight felt out of left field. I'm sure there's a reason for it--the English major in me is already running through several interpretations--but it's a detail that I'm still, personally, struggling to place.||
I have only two criticisms. The first is that this interpretation cuts out all of the female characters, such as Wealtheow, whose roles are vital to the politics of the story.
The second is a more practical one: the book is just. Quite large and very floppy, which made it a little difficult to read, physically.
The treatment of Brecca was interesting, too; while nothing is ever explicitly said, the potential for interpretation of García's adaptation is vast. Is Brecca Grendel? Were Beowulf and Brecca a little more than friends? Did Beowulf actually murder Brecca?
The art is gorgeous, too. I especially loved the monster designs (Grendel's Mother's design was my favorite; what can I say, I'm a sucker for monstrous women). The brutality of the fights come through loud and clear, with rich reds and splattered guts.
[NSFW] ||Grendel, uh... arriving at the beginning of the fight felt out of left field. I'm sure there's a reason for it--the English major in me is already running through several interpretations--but it's a detail that I'm still, personally, struggling to place.||
I have only two criticisms. The first is that this interpretation cuts out all of the female characters, such as Wealtheow, whose roles are vital to the politics of the story.
The second is a more practical one: the book is just. Quite large and very floppy, which made it a little difficult to read, physically.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury