Reviews

this was read for school

i enjoyed this more compared to it's source material, Beowulf. it simply may be just because i myself am more drawn towards villainous narratives over the "chosen one" hero trope. it could also be the fact that this is written in a more traditional novel format. regardless of reasoning (which is a strange thing to write during a review) this book was better than Beowulf in my humble opinion. it added an interesting voice and a captivating backstory to the more previously two dimensional character we had received in Beowulf. if you have read Beowulf i would recommend picking this up if you are in the mood for a book the show's another side of the story (the premise of this is similar to the musical Wicked; strange correlation, yes i am award, but excluding the characters and different plots, they share the same arc of giving a "villain" a backstory that paints them in a different light).

damariica's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

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

Content Warnings

mandyfish's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

If you had to read "Beowulf" at any time during your education, you must read John Gardiner's tale, written from the monster Grendel's perspective. He makes the monster into quite the existential philosopher, and his point of view is rather tragic and funny.

adalidc's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

ledlight's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

More...