Beowulf

[Rosemary]

Beowulf has been regarded by some, as one of the oldest of fantasy stories, certainly one of my favourites and extremely interesting.

Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo has been or is soon to be released, possibly in November. I will be interested to see how much this differs to my translation of the original Beowulf...

[carrie221]

I never thought of it that way but it really is the oldest fantasy story that I know of. The movie looks interest if nothing else but I have not heard anything about it in awhile. I saw a preview for it end of last year I think but that is it.

[Patrick Mahon]

I've got the 1999 translation of Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, and really enjoyed it. Do you know more about Michael Morpurgo's translation - is it supposed to be faithful, or a less literal "retelling" of the story, perhaps? I'll be interested to compare the two...

[bryanspellman]

What translation would you recommend????? I am looking for one for a trip next week. Have not read it since college and it was in one of those anthology books back in the 80's.....

[Rosemary]

http://www.lone-star.net/literature/beowulf/

This is a good link to visit. There is quite a list of the translations there as well as lots of other relevant facts you might find interesting.

I am sorry but I haven't read anymore about Michael Morpurgo's translation yet...hopefully it won't be too long before I can get a copy.

[ladygiggs]

Originally Posted by Patrick Mahon

I've got the 1999 translation of Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, and really enjoyed it. Do you know more about Michael Morpurgo's translation - is it supposed to be faithful, or a less literal "retelling" of the story, perhaps? I'll be interested to compare the two...

Seanus Heaney's is a great translation. Used it during my bachelors. Kept the sense of a great bardic tale instead of making it seem like a dry historical record.