Beowulf: Dragonslayer

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 show more 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. show less

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 show more 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. show less

Sutcliff is such a sentimental writer, and she has her particular tropes. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this one a lot more than Crossley-Holland's Beowulf. In the Charles Keeping illustrations, Beowulf wears a helmet made to look like a boar's head. I think that this can not be realistic.

“Beowulf” quotes crop up in several Anglo-Saxon books I’ve read over the past year, and more recently I’ve read one author or another praise Rosemary Sutcliff for her historical novels, so reading this short novel was like killing two birds with one stone.

Although aimed at children, this is certainly suitable for adults as well.

I understand the author has been faithful to the original poem. She does a good job at creating tense atmospheres and frighting scenes, all of which are vivid.

On the other hand, Beowulf sorts the monsters out a bit too easily, and I would’ve preferred more of a challenge; however, I realise this may be owing to the author keeping it simple for a young audience, so this is an observation, not a show more criticism.

I’ll be checking out some of Rosemary Sutcliff’s other books in due course. show less

A somewhat simplistic retelling of Beowulf, echoing the language and phrasing but using Sutcliff's own voice and a bit of simpler language without being condescending and giving it a sort of grandeur.

I liked the story of Beowulf hunting down Grendel and Grendel's mother, and his eventual death just seemed right. A good re-telling.

Simple but powerful retelling of the Beowulf story for children. Charles Keeping's heavy, atmospherically Sixties line drawings give added punch. But to quote James Brown, this is a man's, man's, man's world......
Some time later I discovered "Grendel" by John Gardner, the same story told from the monster's point of view.

In this thrilling retelling of the Anglo-Saxon legend, Rosemary Sutcliff recounts Beowulf's most terrifying quests: against Grendel the man-wolf, against the hideous sea-hag and, most courageous of all, his fight to the death with the monstrous fire-drake. An extra section in the back includes author info, activities and quizzes, a glossary, fascinating facts, and more.