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A review by singlier
Grendel by John Gardner
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Grendel by John Gardener 4/5
A short, wonderfully weird interpretation of the monster Grendel from the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. Looking back on this book, I DID enjoy it, but reading it is a slog at times, due to the rambling nature of the narrative. It attempts to be contemporary and deep by analyzing modern structures of power as they compare to feudal ones, as well as including a smattering of modern slang, but hearing an ancient dragon say "Fiddlesticks" did take me out of the narrative a bit. I loved the descriptions, the kennings, and the political drama, but I'm also a lover of the source material.
A short, wonderfully weird interpretation of the monster Grendel from the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. Looking back on this book, I DID enjoy it, but reading it is a slog at times, due to the rambling nature of the narrative. It attempts to be contemporary and deep by analyzing modern structures of power as they compare to feudal ones, as well as including a smattering of modern slang, but hearing an ancient dragon say "Fiddlesticks" did take me out of the narrative a bit. I loved the descriptions, the kennings, and the political drama, but I'm also a lover of the source material.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, and Blood