Beowulf Audiobook Review
Beowulf – An Audio Book Review
- Author: Seamus Heaney
- Narrated by: Seamus Heaney
- Length: 2 hours and 13 minutes
- Abridged
- Genre: Classics
Download or CD available to BUY at Amazon.
Beowulf Audio Book Summary:
One of the earliest in heroic literatures, Beowulf was most likely intended to be heard from storytellers than to be read on paper. This is why it is quite a treat for fans to finally listen to this classic tale of heroism in audiobook form performed amicably by Seamus Heaney. It tells the story of mythical Scandinavian hero who is tasked on slaying the nigh invincible creature Grendel who is terrorizing the Danes. Later on he will once again be called upon to defeat Grendel’s mother. Afterwards he arrives back home and lives to a ripe old age before being felled in battle against a massive dragon.
Beowulf is a tale of bravery, defeating monstrous creatures and living on in the aftermath of such battles and what each of these tremendous foes takes with them. Seamus Heaney tells this tale with a powerful and commanding voice that will surely entrance listeners to valiant and heroic accomplishments of one of literatures first heroes.
One reason to listen:
Seamus Heaney re-introduces Beowulf in a way that it was originally intended to be, by a master storyteller who knows the story inside and out and brings the listeners to the fantastic and dangerous world of the Scandinavian hero.
Sign Up
To read new reviews and free audiobooks
Reactions:
“I’ve read multiple versions of Beowulf (including 2 comic adaptations), and Heaney’s version is by far the most accessible. The man has a true command of English, and he manages to present the poem in more straightforward language without a feeling of talking down to the reader.” – Babytoxie
http://www.amazon.com/review/RYMDFX1MRB3RB/
“Mr. Heaney’s delightful brogue is suprisingly well suited to the reading of this epic. Recommended, but a prior familiarity with the poem is advantageous.” – Amazon Customer
http://www.amazon.com/review/R39G6UTSTRLE6P/
“The poetry is elegant and Heaney really brings out the exquisite beauty of the poem. I’m not trying to sound anti ethnic here and I don’t want to be misunderstood: I love Ireland and the Irish, but my problem with this is in the vocal narrative. The Germanic BEOWULF just does not sound right being narrated by someone with an Irish accent. It would sound better if say, Patrick Stewart were doing it. That is my only problem with it. Other than that, I believe it is a stupendous work.” – Duane Wirdel
http://www.amazon.com/review/RW1GQSWWZ2LYV/
“Though it may not be the same as listening to a mideval scop tell his tale, it is very well done. I would have given this recording five stars had it been complete. I hope a truely unabridged recording of Heaney’s translation is released later.” – Jonathan P. Behunin
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2EMXD7NJN8YF9/
“This is the new verse translation of this first millennium text, which was written sometime between the seventh and tenth centuries by an unknown English author. Translated by Seamus Heaney, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995, and read by him on this audio cd, he breathes new life into this mythic epic.” – Lawyeraau
http://www.amazon.com/review/R30OMDQ0X3W1O7/
Score on Audible: 4.2 out of 5
Score on Amazon: 3.7 out of 5
Download or CD available to BUY at Amazon.
Sign Up
To read new reviews and free audiobooks
