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Beowulf

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Beowulf

By: Frances B. Grummere - translator
Narrated by: Fleet Cooper
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About this listen

Commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature, Beowulf is an epic poem that traces the exploits of the titular hero. After coming to the aid of the king of the Danes, whose mead hall is under constant attack by the monster Grendel, Beowulf slays Grendel's mother and goes on to become the king of the Geats.

Public Domain (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Classics European Poetry World Literature

Editor reviews

Reading and listening to the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf are vastly different experiences. The anonymous author of this classic text wrote in soaring poetry that Lesslie Hall translated here. And poetry, as everyone knows, should be read aloud. Thus Fleet Cooper captures the rhythms and nuances of Beowulf for audiobook listeners without the disruptions that a reader might encounter, such as footnotes, unfamiliar spelling, etc. Cooper's grave and graceful rendition of this famed tale does justice to the Scandinavian hero who defeats the monster Grendel. The language is both beautiful and violent, and this performance conveys the epic's timeless power.

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Most relevant
The listing credit is wrong, this is the translation by J. Lesslie Hall (the reader even says so right at the start). J. Lesslie Hall is not to be confused with J. Clark Hall, who is more notable for doing a prose translation of Beowulf at roughly the same time, Lesslie Hall does a decent job in verse. The alliteration and rhythm is what you think of when you think of Beowulf.

J. Lesslie Hall translation, not Gummere

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