Beowulf: Dragonslayer (1961)

Probably best known for her outstanding historical fiction for young readers, particularly that set in Roman Britain - novels such as The Eagle of the Ninth, and The Lantern Bearers - Rosemary Sutcliff here turns her attention to the Anglo-Saxon epic of Beowulf, producing an immensely engaging prose version of the story, sure to please children with a taste for exciting adventure tales.

Divided into nine chapters, this brief novel covers the three major episodes in Beowulf's heroic life: the defeat of Grendel, the monstrous "Night-Stalker" and "Death-Shadow terrorizing the court of Hrothgar, King of the Danes; the defeat of Grendel's mother, a savage "She-Wolf" bent on revenge for the slaying of her child; and finally, at the end of the hero's life, the defeat of the Fire-Drake attacking the people of Geatland. Sutcliff's language is beautiful, her narrative fast-paced and involving. The accompanying black and white illustrations by Charles Keeping reminded me a bit of Victor Ambrus' work, which is high praise indeed! All in all, an immensely satisfying retelling of this classic story, recommended to all who are looking for a prose version suitable for younger readers. ( )

Beowulf: Dragonslayer is a simple retelling, aimed at children, of the Beowulf story. I love the way Rosemary Sutcliff keeps it close to the events of the original poem, but with little humanising touches (like Hrothgar putting back the hair of his dead friend wordlessly). She doesn't add anything that can't be substantiated in the poem, but she makes the mud and blood of it feel real, instead of legendary.

It's a very short and quick read, but I enjoyed it. It's illustrated by Charles Keeping, who must've illustrated other books by Sutcliff -- or someone who draws in much the same style did, anyway. It suits it. ( )

The first book I can remember reading.

And, yesterday, at a local library sale, I spotted a copy of Rosemary Sutcliff's BEOWULF propped up on one of the overflowing tables. The same edition, the same color cover as the one I read all those years ago. What was I? Eight? And the story took hold of me and I easily imagined myself waiting with the other men as something horrible lurked about on the other side of a sturdy door. The fire burned down low, our swords within easy reach.

Those seeking a more literate and definitive translation of BEOWULF should look elsewhere. Check out Seamus Heaney's, I love that one. But this is a short effort (93 pages) that helped me fall in love with reading. Words COULD come to life, here was proof positive. From BEOWULF it was on to the likes of Bradbury and THE HARDY BOYS and since then I've barely looked back.

Thank you, Ms. Sutcliff. This might have been the one that started it all. ( )

Rosemary Sutcliff has used an old English epic poem about Beowulf as the basis for this retelling in the form of a children’s book. It is fairly scary in parts, especially Grendels attacks, which are stopped when he meets Beowulf, ‘this time his hand was met and seized in a grasp such as he had never felt before; a grasp that had in it the strength of thirty men. And for the first time he who had brought fear to so many, caught the taste of it himself, knowing that at last he had met his match and maybe his master’ (Sutcliff, 2001, p. 36-37). The Sea-Hag seeks vengeance after Grendel dies. ‘She was the same kind as Grendel, monstrous, evil, a Death-Shadow-in-the-Dark; but she had possessed the power to love, and she had loved her son, and was therefore more terrible than he had every been’ (Sutcliff, 2001, p. 46). There is a fearful battle between Beowulf and the Sea-Hag. Throughout Beowulf is courageous and strong against unhuman enemies and their wish to destroy. His last battle is with the fire-drake. ‘A great cloud of fiery breath belched out from the cave mouth, and within there sounded the clapping of mighty wings; and even as the King flung up his shield to guard his face, the earth shook and the dragon came coiling from its lair’ (Sutcliff, 2001, p. 84). The author’s works are so like the poetry of the epic poem and the sheer heroism shown by Beowulf and his self-sacrifice is very inspiring. ( )

Rosemary Sutcliff takes the material from the epic poem Beowulf, and
turns it into a prose novel aimed at young readers. She follows the man
through the three major confrontations he has with some very serious
beasties.

A story about dedication, bravery, duty and honor, and those who choose to uphold it.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2006/12/dragon-slayer-rosemary-sutcliff.html ( )