Beowolf!

Here is another that had been sitting unread on my shelves since my ambitious undergrad days.

Title: Beowolf
Author: We just plain don't know
My start date: 8/19/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 41/100

This is one instance with a classic that I will make an edition specification. I have and read the Seamus Heaney edition in which the old English is printed on one page and the modern English is printed on the page opposite. Most of you have probably seen it. It is likely the most well-known edition currently in use and it is the one with the shiny black cover and raised print of a chain mail warrior head on the front. I bought it for the pretty cover, I'm not going to lie. (Ok, I said I was an ambitious undergrad, I didn't say I was a particularly picky undergrad) This is the only edition I would ever recommend. Heaney is the absolute best in this field and his notes are essential.

I think the whole idea of a long poem in old English is what intimidated me. I hate poetry. Really hate it. And I don't speak old English. I like new English. I was so put off by the one side of the page in weird words that I never bothered to focus on the other side with nice, easily understandable modern words. Again, Heaney is a genius. His translation loses nothing of the beauty and greatness of this treasure, yet puts it within reach of all of us.

I hear most people read this in high school. I didn't. Having now tackled and LOVED this work, I am so disappointed in myself for not doing it sooner. Once I got into the story, had conquered the first several stanzas and started feeling the rhythm, the experiences was wonderful. I chose to read the entire thing in one sitting and outloud, both of which I strongly recommend. It isn't horribly long. It took me a few hours on a cool, overcast evening. But interupting the rhythm to return to it later I feel would destroy the experience. Also, read it outloud. It was meant to be told and it reads like music. My cat was fascinated. (However, I doubt the neighbors were similarly pleased, since I had my window open. Oh well, they could use the culture)

Of course, since this is apparently traditional high school required reading, maybe you all have already read it. But if you didn't do it outloud, I am going to have to insist you go back and try it again.

PS, the edition linked below with Amazon is the edition I recommend.

Keep Reading,
Sarah