Beowulf: A New Translation -

"It's narrative elements may belong to a previous age but as a work of art it lives in the present," writes Heaney of this tale of monstrous, murderous Grendel, heroic, kingly Beowulf, blood-feuds, dragon-slaying and spiritual grace. The very plain-spokenness of Heaney's translation makes it admirably easy to read and understand, whilst rendering an often true translation at a galloping narrative pace. Heaney's Beowulf opens up one of the most famous founding epics of European literature to a modern world of new readers. --James Barry

Reader Reviews:

Epic stuff! (2/2 people found this helpful)

This was my first encounter with Beowulf, (I haven't seen the film either). I chose the bilingual edition to see what the Old English looked like and although I could barely recognise a word, it did help to see the shape, metre and style of the original. Heaney's translation is easy to read, very straight-forward in language, and the accompanying essay helps you see how much work goes into preserving some of the form of the original in the modern translation.
With the original and Heaney's version printed side by side, it affected the way I read it. I tended to readi it aloud to myself (but in my head), trying to see the translation's cadence resonating with the original's two parts to each line. This was novel for me and enjoyable for one who doesn't normally do poetry!
As a story, you can see why it survives, but there is too much pontificating on the glories of war, fighting and serving the king and not enough action; Beowulf's dispatching of Grendel seemed to be little more than arm-wrestling and was over in a couple of pages.
I'm glad I read it and am sure I will refer to it again.

Monotonous (2/3 people found this helpful)

I was very much looking forward to listening to 'Beowulf' read by its illustrious author/translator. Audiobooks read by their authors must be as credible as anything can be - or so I thought. Whilst I am not denying the skill displayed in this beautifully poetic translation, the soft Irish tones of Seamus Heaney are not for me, atleast, not after the first 20 minutes of listening. The descriptive passages are luxurious, the battle scenes full of action, the characters heroic yet vulnerable. So where is the enthusiasm in the reader's voice, where the awe, the admiration for the story? I am sure no teacher or casting director would have ever freely chosen Mr Heaney as The Narrator for any performance or playreading. Seamus Heaney has indeed given us a brilliant and admirable translation, but I strongly recommend that he restricts his professional activities to the written and not the spoken word.

Englands Oldest Legend!!!!!! (2/3 people found this helpful)

originally told round the bonfire and in small halls until it was finally written down in the 7th century(ish) after it was brought to england by the invading anglo-saxons/english. This is the oldest surviving written text in english history (to be found in the British library) This tells the story about a Swedish warrior who goes back to his native Denmark to defend the people against a man eating monster called Grendal. But dont forget about gredals mother or the flame throwing dragon. A story of germanic honour, courage and loyalty. Read it here in both modern and olde english. Fantastic stuff, i couldnt put it down. A true classic.

Beowulf BY Heaney? (0/0 people found this helpful)

Although I should've known before buying it, the translation seems to have too much of Heaney's personality in it to be considered an honest translation (though I have of course not read the original). This is only normal when the translator is a great poet, the author anonymous and the original language dead.

In a way, this adds so much value to the text but it wasn't what I was looking for. If you want a dry, perfect translation, this is not it; but this is also not dull for a moment so it depends if you want to be a scholar or a reader when you pick it up.

Awesome (14/17 people found this helpful)

This poem was written between the 7th and 10th centuries and praises the adventures of the hero, Beowulf. It tells of how he goes to Denmark and slays the man eating monster Grendel and then later on, Grendel's mother. He becomes the king of Geatland, and 50 years later, in old age, he meets death after fearsome combat with a dragon.

I have often wanted to read this epic poem and on hearing of Heaney's translation I bought myself a copy. How glad I am that I did. To read such an amazing tale, with the knowledge that people thousands of years ago also enjoyed it, is an awesome feeling. I can well understand why this has stood the test of time, as it is an action packed, moving account of Beowulf and his courageous adventures.

Heaney's edition with the Old English on one side and the translation on the other is a must have for anyone who wants to fully enjoy this masterpiece.

Beowulf: A New Translation

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