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| Review Summary |
This is a retelling of the epic poem Beowulf, told here from the monster Grendel's point of view. The book begins with Grendel telling us that he is in the twelfth year of his war with Hrothgar. Each year seems to be much the same as the last, and Grendel feels trapped in an endless pattern. Chapter 2 tells of Grendel's memories of his childhood: how he grew up in a cave; how he eventually left the cave and entered the world of sunlight once grown; how he came into contact with humans for the first time; and how men feared him and fled. In chapter 3, Grendel comes into contact with the Shaper and is enchanted by his songs, but is angry because the reverie of the songs cannot replace his own reality. Chapter 4 brings Grendel to the village in an attempt to befriend the villagers, but the ignorant humans attack him. Grendel visits the Dragon in chapter 5. The Dragon gives Grendel advice. Grendel accepts his role as a monster in chapter 6, deciding that humans are his enemies. Chapter 7 brings Hrothgar's wife, Wealthow, who brings such a sense of peace that the villagers begin to feel safe again. Hrothgar's village enters the modern age of nation-states in chapter 8, where we are introduced to the scheming Hrothulf. In chapter 9, Grendel has a discussion with an old priest concerning the village's god. In Chapter 10 Grendel thinks about his unhappyiness with men. Beowulf arrives in chapter 11 and Grendel sees him for the first time. The 12th and final chapter brings Grendel to the sleeping hall where he hopes to surprise Beowulf and kill him. Beowulf, however, tricks Grendel, seizing him by the arm. Beowulf is victorious in the battle and Grendel goes off to die at the end of the novel.
Billy Pashaie, Resident Scholar
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Grendel was a relatively minor character in Beowulf; this is his story, from his perspective. He's a large, hulking, man-eating beast, but he is also extremely intelligent and cynical. He lives underground in a cave with his mother, a fat and ugly beast who Grendel can't help but hate for her stupidity and inability to speak; similary, he hates most of the animals around him and is extremely sardonic when it comes to men. The bulk of the story describes Grendel's adventures with men and his theories about life; in the end, true to the original story of Beowulf, a group of huge men from across the sea arrive in the land and one of them (Beowulf himself) kills Grendel.
Maushmi Sabat, Resident Scholar
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Grendel was a relatively minor character in Beowulf; this is his story, from his perspective. He's a large, hulking, man-eating beast, but he is also extremely intelligent and cynical. He lives underground in a cave with his mother, a fat and ugly beast who Grendel can't help but hate for her stupidity and inability to speak; similary, he hates most of the animals around him and is extremely sardonic when it comes to men. The bulk of the story describes Grendel's adventures with men and his theories about life; in the end, true to the original story of Beowulf, a group of huge men from across the sea arrive in the land and one of them (Beowulf himself) kills Grendel.
Rick Passero, Resident Scholar
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%
Tone of book
- cynical or dry-wit
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Inner Struggle
Yes
Plotlet:
- search for identity/new understanding
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- long lived adults
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- bulging muscles
Main Adversary
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- bulging muscles
Setting
Terrain
- Water
- Forests
Earth setting:
- general past
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- explicit references to deaths
How much dialogue?
- significantly more descript than dialog
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