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Having taught BEOWULF for a number of years to my sophomore honors, why didn't I have them read this, too? This book is not simply a retelling of BEOWULF from the monster's point of view; it is highly intellectual and philosophical as Grendel seeks to find some sort of meaning to his life. Drawn to and repulsed by humans, he reminds me of Frankenstein's creature, who also seeks the purpose to his existence. ⬇️

My #Booked2023 #Monster book: a retelling of one of the English language epics, (although I learned that it wasn‘t set in England) from the perspective of the “monster,” instead of the human heroes. Mostly well written and intriguing (sometimes confusing), although it‘s been 34 years since I read Beowulf, and I‘m not going back to it! Good exploration of the pain and isolation that Grendel, who doesn‘t fit into the surrounding culture experiences.

I taught BEOWULF to my honors sophomores for years: time to read the same tale from the villain's point of view.
#JanuaryBIT #BookedInTime #EarlyMedieval @Cuilin

For my #HoppingGnomedePlume book club. Not what I was expecting- it exceeded any ideas I had. Quite entertaining. Listening, tho, as delightful as the language is, makes bookclubbing reviews SO difficult; bought the tradeback edition for further study. Beowulf barely makes an appearance! #PurpleFlowers #Classic #CC50 #Oct2023

Grendel the nihilist-Romantic loner, ruminating & chewing up Danes. A comic monster, smiling rage. Much strangeness. Energetic prose sometimes mimicking epic verse. P8 “(Talking, talking. Spinning a web of words, pale walls of dreams, between myself and all I see.)” P28 “The world resists me and I resist the world.” P44 “Thus I fled, ridiculous hairy creature torn apart by poetry—“ P138 “Tedium is the worst pain.” P173 “Is it joy I feel?” 1971

A ground-breaking fantasy novel told from the perspective of the monster rather than men. I really enjoyed it. Very funny too.

#fantasy

At times I felt like I was missing the point. Beowulf is my favourite poem, and the story from Grendel‘s POV, I was expecting violence and debauchery. Instead, it was philosophical.

A lonely, isolated and confused creature, Gardner gave him humanity (sometimes more than the fabled Danes). His inability to understand his hatred and draw to humans, presented an interesting dichotomy.

The stream of thought narrative, though, was daunting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beowulf is my favourite poem so when a friend mentioned this book, I immediately bought it. I‘m not sure how it flew under my radar! #currentlyreading

A deeply philosophical novel, told from the viewpoint of the monster in Beowulf. Some parts are funny, like when the dragon tries to explain the nature of time and poor Grendel cannot follow the lofty academic discourse. Other parts are heartbreaking, like when music and poetry pierce Grendel with inchoate longing. Because Beowulf has been told so many times, we already know Grendel‘s ultimate fate. John Gardner makes that fate poignant.

I have eaten several priests. They sit on the stomach like duck eggs.

Owls cross my path as silently as raiding ships, and at the sound of my foot, lean wolves rise, glance at me awkwardly, and, neat of step as lizards, sneak away. I used to take some pride in that—the caution of owls when my shape looms in, the alarm I stir in these giant northern wolves. I was younger then. Still playing cat and mouse with the universe.

This is a reading challenge “Read a book challenged or banned in your state.” In 1978 Fredrick County (MD) challenged it for being “anti-Christian, anti-moral and violent.” Grendel is the “monster” in Beowulf. I chose this book because I remember reading and enjoying Beowulf in high school. Grendel is a short read, written in the 70‘s. It was interesting to hear the story from his point of view and makes me want to reread Beowulf.

I really enjoyed most of this. The dragon portion and the final meeting were too esoteric in nature to add much to the story for the general reader. The parts where Grendel becomes more brutal and similar the the Thanes was interesting.

I appreciated the use of poetic features from Beowulf, but the philosophical musings were trying too hard.

PopSugar Reading Challenge 2019: a retelling of a classic

Current Read 🤓📚

I like the cover!

Found these at thrift store, I want to read Grendal so I need to read Beowulf first I've not read it yet. Classics intimidate me I'm always afriard of them being dry and stuffy . So guess I'll give them a go.

#classics
#bookhaul

Well, I pushed through. I did not care for this book, which was a big disappointment for me. I like the premise but not the execution. It's very philosophical, existential, constantly changing, and very hard to follow. Maybe back in my uni days, when I read "literature" more often and more carefully, I would have done better, but not now.

Like me some philosophical fiction, if only because I like feeling what it must be to live in someone else's head. This is a fairly quick read, so I'd encourage anyone on the fence to take a chance on it at least.

Picked up a long overdue read, as well as some spiffy looking Penguin Deluxe editions, with the last of my store credit.

#bookhaul

Terrible. Just terrible. I get the noble idea this book was pushing; that humans are unkind and can be cruelly exclusive to those who are different. BUT I didn't feel sorry for Grendel. He was a terrible monster, who did awful things. Blech. I almost didn't make it through.

Not enjoying the overly unnecessary writing so far....

Starting this to distract myself from the frustrations of rush hour 😑

For 2017, my #firstreadoftheyear was a good one! Velvet Elvis hadn‘t even been conceived yet, but she assures me that she would have commiserated with Grendel. #allthebooksof2017
p.s. looks like Elvis still needs a home. Her adopter disappeared.

Habitat Restore mini book haul. Seems like I find a little pot of literary gold with each visit! 📚❣🌈

I love these old covers 💖💖💖💖 #riotgrams #day3 #onewordtitle

Grendel is an outsider with identity issues. He grapples with philosophical questions about the meaning of life and his place in the world. If you liked Beowulf, check out the monster's side of the story. #birthdaychallenge #popsugarchallenge

I understood that the world was nothing: a mechanical chaos of casual, brute enmity on which we stupidly impose our hopes and fears. I understood that, finally and absolutely, I alone exist. All the rest, I saw, is merely what pushes me, or what I push against, blindly—as blindly as all that is not myself pushes back.

Banned books week! What are you reading this week?

Interesting reimagining of a classic character.

I didn't think it possible that I could cry for the man-eating monster of Beowulf, but I did! This book is the ultimate example for showing the other side of the story. Every one has a story, even Grendel. He was so misunderstood! This book reached my core. I absolutely loved it.

"When I was a child I truly loved:
Unthinking love as calm and deep
As the North Sea. But I have lived,
And now I do not sleep."