Reviews with content warning for Violence - Beowulf: A New Translation

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Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley

30 reviews

strawberrytheauthor's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.0

I listened to it on audiobook mostly while falling asleep so I missed a lot of it. I really enjoyed the introduction which was mostly the history of the Beowulf. I definitely enjoyed the parts I was tuned in for and plan to reread it in book format.

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turtleofhades's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

'Such is the feud and emnity, the cruel malice of men, for which I look, in which the Swedish people will come against us, when they learn that our lord is reft of life, who aforetime did guard us against those that hated him his treasury and realm, after the fall of mighty men did rule the sealoving Geats, accomplishing the profit of his people, yea, and before all did knightly deeds.'
Beowulf has always been my favorite epic poem, so having a Tolkien translation is honestly amazing. And reading the addition of Sellic Spell was interesting, although it was a bit off-putting after reading Beowulf. Reading Tolkien's commentary with his son's additions to clarify was amazing as well.

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waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

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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!

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monsterofidaho's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-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? No

5.0

Fool that I was, I figured this was a revision of a prior translation of Beowulf and not a direct translation from the original text. I’ve never been more delighted to be wrong! The book reads so well on its own but it really takes flight when you listen to the audiobook. Hearing JD Jackson begin with ‘Bro! Tell me we still know how to speak of kings!’ sends a thrill down my spine every time I revisit the audiobook. The poem really feels – almost – like it was in its original time of telling, an epic of inhuman proportions first spoken to an audience of many and now spoken so much more personally to an audience of yourself.

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