Customer Reviews

Beowulf: The Complete Story: A Drama (an audio book)

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I've read, studied, and quoted Beowulf, but I had never heard it done such a compelling fashion. The language is stirring, and the sound effects are realistic. When you hear this, you understand how this tale survived. The alliteration helped the successive narrators remember the tale and swept the audience along in the story. Great work!

The Ringler translation of Beowulf is excellent and this recording of his translation just adds to the whole Beowulf experience. I would urge you to get Ringler's translation as well as this recording and read it and Ringler's great introduction to the poem. This recording really brings the Beowulf story to life. The reading is dramatic with different voices for the narrator, Beowulf, Hrothgar, etc. Tasteful sound effects (eg, the sound of whale-road waves) enhance the listening experience. There is also gentle music that includes ancient horns, an Irish harp, drums and soulful voices - all beautifully applied. I think that by listening to this recording you will really "get it" as to why Beowulf is such a classic.

(Probably having a mug of ale would make the listening experience even better, though I wouldn't recommend doing that if you are listening while driving).