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Steve's Reviews > Beowulf: A New Verse Translation
Beowulf: A New Verse Translation
by Unknown, Seamus Heaney
by Unknown, Seamus Heaney
Steve's review
bookshelves: sagas, 2d-readings-the-good-stuff, poetry
Nov 05, 11
bookshelves: sagas, 2d-readings-the-good-stuff, poetry
Read in January, 1975, read count: 5
I've read this multiple times. One of the true, original bad asses. 6 stars.
OK. Very briefly (in part because I've been very busy), the Heaney version is THE version to read if you're looking for accessibility. Who would of ever thought that such a rough and tumble read would come out so smooth? And from a poet who is all knots, rough rhythms, and peat moss. But it is. What I particularly liked were the various important speeches. Clarity is key with this version, but with lots of nice poetic phrasing. What is lost however are the rough and choppy rhythms that have accompanied virtually all my other readings. My personal favorite still remains Ruth Lehmann's 1988 effort,
Beowulf: An Imitative Translation. But Heany's version is a good one. And there's no reason not to have several versions of this kick ass tale.
OK. Very briefly (in part because I've been very busy), the Heaney version is THE version to read if you're looking for accessibility. Who would of ever thought that such a rough and tumble read would come out so smooth? And from a poet who is all knots, rough rhythms, and peat moss. But it is. What I particularly liked were the various important speeches. Clarity is key with this version, but with lots of nice poetic phrasing. What is lost however are the rough and choppy rhythms that have accompanied virtually all my other readings. My personal favorite still remains Ruth Lehmann's 1988 effort,
Beowulf: An Imitative Translation. But Heany's version is a good one. And there's no reason not to have several versions of this kick ass tale.
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Quotes Steve Liked
“It is always better
to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.
For every one of us, living in this world
means waiting for our end. Let whoever can
win glory before death. When a warrior is gone,
that will be his best and only bulwark.”
― Seamus Heaney, Beowulf: A New Verse Translation
to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.
For every one of us, living in this world
means waiting for our end. Let whoever can
win glory before death. When a warrior is gone,
that will be his best and only bulwark.”
― Seamus Heaney, Beowulf: A New Verse Translation
