Book One - Beowulf

Ross and I listened to Seamus Heaney read his translation of Beowulf on the way to and from Laramie when we travelled to attend Hannah's graduation from the University of Wyoming this past weekend.  I loved Heaney's Irish accent and, as the back of the case stated, when Beowulf was originally told it was listened to, not read.  So I felt very authentic listening to it in modern English (albeit with an Irish accent), while traveling 80 mph down the Interstate.

The story (as I understand it, anyway) involves Beowulf (a Geat) who comes to the rescue of the Danes and slays not only Grendel, the blood-thirsty monster who is snacking on Danes in a most unappealingly graphic way, but also slays Grendel's mother in an underwater battle (no mean feat).  All of that action happens pretty early on, and then Beowulf returns to his homeland where he is made king, after the convenient demise of the existing monarch.  Fifty years go by, and then a dragon rears its ugly head and requires Beowulf's attention.  Okay.  The guy has to be 80, but he takes up his sword and does his best, but dies in the process of ridding his country of this menace.  The 50-foot dragon also dies, but that's of little comfort to the countrymen left behind (even to - perhaps especially to - the cowards who hid in the woods and could have come to Beowulf's aid but instead, well, cowered).  A lot of treasure, etc. is burned (and subsequently buried) with Beowulf, which I think is a shame, since it could have been put to good use helping the peasants instead of providing some symbolic sacrifice that helps no one.  Note to self: remind my family to remove all my jewelry before they cremate/bury me.

Really, all this book did for me was to make me want to visit Denmark and Sweden.  But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Stacey's summary of the book:  "Yawn."