Grendel

by John Gardner Narrated by George Guidall

Overview

World renowned critic John Gardner has received prestigious awards for his wide range of literary achievements including short stories, novels, and essays. When he turns his talents to retelling Beowulf, the earliest epic in British literature, the result is a work that combines extensive knowledge with a marvelous strain of pure fun.

In Gardner's version of the epic, instead of lauding the helmeted hero, Beowulf, the spotlight shines on Grendel, a beast whose grotesque body and blood thirst condemn him to the life of an outlaw. Grendel is a horrible monster. He greedily gobbles up warriors in the Danish mead hall guarded by Beowulf. But within Grendel lurks a soul that delights in dark humor, dramatic pirouettes and pranks.

Both young adult and adult listeners will revel in this powerful complement to a classic tale. George Guidall's narration captures a surreal landscape that shimmers on the other side of the original epic's heroic mirror. What we see is that there's a little bit of Grendel living is each of us.

Editorial Reviews

JAN 98 - AudioFile

In the Old English epic Beowulf the hero of the title slays Grendel, the half-human monster that nightly came to assault the citadel of the Danish king. When Grendel’s even more formidable mother comes to avenge him, Beowulf chases her back to her lair and dispatches her, as well. In 1971 American novelist John Gardner achieved deserved celebrity for retelling these above events from Grendel’s point of view. And now George Guidall masterfully impersonates the grumbling momma’s boy with deliciously sly humor and mock-tragic grandeur. Without ever striking a false note, he maintains throughout such a perfect balance of crudity and poetry that we laugh, cringe and weep all at once. His is an anti-villain par excellence. Y.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170939084
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	07/11/2007
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	1,188,786

Videos