Sutcliff is such a sentimental writer, and she has her particular tropes. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this one a lot more than Crossley-Holland's Beowulf. In the Charles Keeping illustrations, Beowulf wears a helmet made to look like a boar's head. I think that this can not be realistic. ( )

In this thrilling retelling of the Anglo-Saxon legend, Rosemary Sutcliff recounts Beowulf's most terrifying quests: against Grendel the man-wolf, against the hideous sea-hag and, most courageous of all, his fight to the death with the monstrous fire-drake. An extra section in the back includes author info, activities and quizzes, a glossary, fascinating facts, and more.

“Beowulf” quotes crop up in several Anglo-Saxon books I’ve read over the past year, and more recently I’ve read one author or another praise Rosemary Sutcliff for her historical novels, so reading this short novel was like killing two birds with one stone.

Although aimed at children, this is certainly suitable for adults as well.

I understand the author has been faithful to the original poem. She does a good job at creating tense atmospheres and frighting scenes, all of which are vivid.

On the other hand, Beowulf sorts the monsters out a bit too easily, and I would’ve preferred more of a challenge; however, I realise this may be owing to the author keeping it simple for a young audience, so this is an observation, not a criticism.

I’ll be checking out some of Rosemary Sutcliff’s other books in due course. ( )

A somewhat simplistic retelling of Beowulf, echoing the language and phrasing but using Sutcliff's own voice and a bit of simpler language without being condescending and giving it a sort of grandeur.

I liked the story of Beowulf hunting down Grendel and Grendel's mother, and his eventual death just seemed right. A good re-telling. ( )

Simple but powerful retelling of the Beowulf story for children. Charles Keeping's heavy, atmospherically Sixties line drawings give added punch. But to quote James Brown, this is a man's, man's, man's world......
Some time later I discovered "Grendel" by John Gardner, the same story told from the monster's point of view.