Reviews

Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, together with Sellic Spell by J.R.R. Tolkien

dnandrews797's review against another edition

2.0

This book seems a bit overhyped. Since it’s the first novel ever written, there’s also a lot of room for improvement. The odd gap between the first story and the last story was gigantic and felt tacked on. The first story was reasonably entertaining and contained plenty of cunning from Grendel and bravery from Beowulf. The death scene felt shallow and undeserved though after a half hearted battle against a dragon

mkw1lson's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.5

jackcryan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Second Epic. Can see it’s influences in a lot of fantasy.

sally___'s review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

4.5

This is a brilliant translation, one that kept me at a clipping pace through the story but still delivered every line with clear intention and thought. Shoutout to my neighbor for recommending this version to me!

bjw42's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

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

1.0

shelbymarie516's review against another edition

3.0

Bro was millennialized

arash's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

danchrist's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

My first experience with Beowulf, this translation grabbed my by the throat in the first stanzas and propelled me through to the finish. Though dense and meandering at times, the modern language and vibrant idioms and word play made this a joy to read. Only wish I would have read it out loud more than I did. 

Highly recommend.

andotherworlds's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

read for school

steven_v's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

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

5.0