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bjw42's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jormungad's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
andotherworlds's review
4.0
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).
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
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
Graphic: Violence and Murder
mandyfish's review
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.
ledlight's review against another edition
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
rhulad's review
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ultimatekate's review
4.0
I loved how Gardner approached the book, and I plan on teaching it with "Beowulf" next year. There are times when I think it gets a little wordy, so I'm only going giving my kids a few sections. I, however, really enjoyed it.