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godraed's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Heaney's heroic translation
proves the poet
a master of the medium
Heaney's translation does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of the original poem. He created a modern masterpiece from the Old English original.
Adventure, grim oaths, monsters, and a window into the worldview of another time.
Gath a wyrd swa hio scel.
proves the poet
a master of the medium
Heaney's translation does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of the original poem. He created a modern masterpiece from the Old English original.
Adventure, grim oaths, monsters, and a window into the worldview of another time.
Gath a wyrd swa hio scel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Death, Murder, Blood, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, Gore, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
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: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Death of parent, Murder, Death, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
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