Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1055543 in Books
• Published on: 1975-12-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Customer Reviews

Superb edition of Beowulf for the modern reader.
Professor Howell D. Chickering, Jr., of Amherst College has provided the indispensable edition of "Beowulf" for readers who, like this reviewer, know no Old English. While the extensive supporting material included in the book should be of significant value to those who wish to deepen their understanding of the structure and historical background of the original, the best thing here is the translation itself: clear, direct, and often eloquent. Chickering's modern version has a gnarled, vivid quality that one must assume reflects cardinal virtues of the original. My advice to anyone unfamiliar with this masterpiece would be: click now to buy this book. When you receive it, turn directly to p. 49 and dive into the poem itself. Beginning with the fast-moving first lines ("Listen! We have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes / in the old days, the kings of tribes-- / how noble princes showed great courage!"), you will be drawn into a world incomparably remote from our own and yet as compelling as any contemporary work of fiction, poetry, or film. And speaking of film, if you have ever wondered what the inspiration was for every shadowy, lurking science-fiction monster you've been scared by at the movies (from "Forbidden Planet" to "Aliens"), read this book and know the answer. Professor Chickering has brought Grendel to life with a vengeance. A priceless gift to lovers of great tales everywhere!