Reviews

Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley

redheadreading's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

3.75

Really enjoyed Headley's translation, it has such a distinct voice to it and utilising the bro-culture language opens a door to reading in a new light. This language worked much better in some places than others for me, I miss some of the deeper emotion and I guess sincerity from translations that lean further into more traditional/archaic style of translating, but I found the introduction very interesting and had a fun old time!

lucazani11's review against another edition

3.0

So I have read every word and I didn’t get it and then I watched a video and now I get it

dereksilva's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

My low rating is for the story itself. I expected much more and didn't realize how little of the story is Beowulf fighting Grendel and Grendel's mother. About one-third of the way through the story became a slog. While there were some very poetic and enjoyable turns of phrase, the plot dragged massively.

I think the translation by Headley made the story more digestible by using a tone and language that felt appropriate to my decidedly non-old-English ears. I enjoyed it enough to consider reading some of her fiction 

gabbylister's review against another edition

adventurous challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

First half was the best thing I've ever read, second half was really really boring. My fault partially because I couldn't care to learn all the H names and kept getting confused 

hwwhybreading's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

notkaywa's review against another edition

4.0

January 2021: 4 stars. No matter how many times I read this, I think it'll always be 4 stars for me.

fresh_guy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

kafkai's review against another edition

4.0

English class moment (good book, would peg him)

rileyreviews's review against another edition

4.0

At times the modern-isms were out of place and even kind of dated (like, some of it was internet speak that I feel like no one really uses anymore?) but other times the modern speak was awesome and funny, and felt in place. It was a very entertaining read, and memorable in part because it was my first time reading Beowulf.

avoraciousreader68's review against another edition

DNF
My brain cannot wrap around this.
RTC