During the month of October, I’m posting brief reviews of some of my favorite books from the past couple of years: those that really touched my heart, gave me a new perspective, taught me something, or were just plain fun. Hopefully you will be inspired to add something to your to-read list. 🙂
This translation of Beowulf was recommended in Ambleside Online’s Year 7 “free reads”, and I recently listened to Seamus Heaney’s wonderful reading of it. Like Paradise Lost, it is a poem to return to again and again – so many beautiful words to enjoy and ideas consider! Here is just a small sampling:
Meanwhile, the swordbegan to wilt into gory icicles,to slather and thaw. It was a wonderful thing,the way it all melted as ice meltswhen the Father eases the fetters off the frostand unravels the water-ropes. He who wields powerover time and tide: He is the true Lord.
In writing this post, I came across this illustrated edition of Heaney’s Beowulf. I’m thinking it would be great to read it along with the recording (might be something to try with the kids during Morning Time when they’re a bit older). I’d also like to try Tolkien’s translation and commentary sometime. Smaug in The Hobbit definitely echoes the dragon in Beowulf.
