A review by dereksilva
Beowulf: A New Translation by Anonymous

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