The Tower of Beowulf - Hardcover

An interesting novelization of Beowulf, revealing as much of our times as of Beowulf's own. Godwin broadens the base of the poem, believably bringing in Norse myth; placing Christian coloring in context. The stylized structure of the story's progress forms a frame supporting more fully-fleshed characters than the economical language of epic allows, exploring the pressures of prestige-based leadership and the personal cost of the warrior code.

YA?A retelling for our own time. The separate stories of Grendel and Beowulf, each told with empathy, merge into one just prior to their fated meeting. Grendel, half god and half giant, lives in a beautiful world spun by his mother until the illusion dissolves and his eyes are opened to his monstrous reality. His revenge on the human sons of his own sire, Shild Scefing, is to dine upon anyone who enters King Hrothgar's great hall at night?his self-appointed time to reign. In his youth Beowulf, with all his companions, flees from the scene of an unwise battle. He alone survives and recasts the story to reflect his own honor; his father uncovers the fabrication and then disowns him. Beowulf's life then becomes one of devotion to his people. He extends his services to King Hrothgar, offering to rid the great hall of its monster. Beowulf kills both Grendel and his mother, but his victory is tempered by his understanding that all beings need compassion, love, and acceptance. Teens will sympathize with Grendel's sense of isolation and loss. Monsters, dragons, and gods provide enough action to capture fantasy readers, and the tale includes enough beauty, duty, romance, and friendship to delight idealistic teens.?Barbara Hawkins, Oakton High School, Fairfax, VA
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