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Beowulf: A New Translation
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
A new, feminist translation of Beowulf by the author of the much-buzzed-about novel The Mere Wife Nearly twenty years after Seamus Heaneys translation of Beowulfand fifty years after the translation that continues to torment high-school students around the worldthere is a radical new verse translation of the epic poem by Maria Dahvana Headley, which brings to light elements that have never before been translated into English, recontextualizing the binary narrative of monsters and heroes into a tale in which the two categories often entwine, justice is rarely served, and dragons live among us. A man seeks to prove himself as a hero. A monster seeks silence in his territory. A warrior seeks to avenge her murdered son. A dragon ends it all. The familiar elements of the epic poem are seen with a novelists eye toward gender, genre, and historyBeowulf has always been a tale of entitlement and encroachment, powerful men seeking to become more powerful, and one woman seeking justice for her child, but this version brings new context to an old story. While crafting her contemporary adaptation of Beowulf, Headley unearthed significant shifts lost over centuries of translation.
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Hooked_on_books
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

I was skeptical when this book went out and people went nuts for it. Really? Beowulf? While I‘m still not super jazzed by the story, I do think it plays an important role as such an old, intact manuscript. And I love how Headley has both honored the original and made the text accessible for the modern reader.

AmyG The one ear up….adorable. 3mo
dabbe OMG: that face! 😂🖤🐾🖤😂 3mo
ShelleyBooksie I just wanna boop that sweet nose ♡♡♡♡ 3mo
58 likes3 comments
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ravenlee
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Mehso-so

There were some great sections in this translation. Then there were bits of modern vernacular that pulled me right out. It ended up being so distracting and downgrading my rating. Remember how obnoxious people were with stuff like “fo‘ shizzle” and such? That‘s how this reads. And the profanity felt forced, trying to make this something it didn‘t otherwise feel like. I get why she did it, and her intro is great, but it felt like trying too hard.

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rwmg
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

This translation made the news as the first one by a woman. TBH I don't think I would have been able to tell.
From time to time I found the translator's choices aggressively modern so that I wished I had my Heaney translation with me to compare. But I still enjoyed reading it enough to want to listen to an audio version to see how that stands up. The introduction in the ebook I read was badly formatted so that I gave up and just read the poem.

rabbitprincess I‘m considering a side-by-side reading of this translation with the Heaney to compare them! 1y
SamAnne I did a side by side read. I absolutely loved this translation. The cadence, the language, all of it. 1y
34 likes2 comments
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Jari-chan
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

This was my #Doublespin for April, and I guess I would've put this book off without the challenge by @TheAromaOfBooks 😅 But now I'm glad I read it. It was my first real encounter with Beowulf and I'm more than happy to finally know his whole story. This translation is a mix of tradition, modernity and feminismn - quite interesting and good to read. I liked the flow the verses had. But the modern words sometimes sounded a bit wrong for this text.

all_4_kb I remember this from high school! 3y
Jari-chan @kbibliophilific We never read it on school... 🙈 3y
TheAromaofBooks This is one I've always meant to read!! 3y
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Jari-chan @TheAromaofBooks Then I'd say just go ahead 😁 3y
mandarchy I read this in school and the there were more footnotes than text, it was intimidating. Since then I've read a picture book version and a graphic novel version and it both were excellent. It's a story that gets buried under scholarly and linguistic newspeak and applesauce. 3y
Jari-chan @mandarchy Totally agree to the applesauce 😁🙈 Glad to hear that you've found some editions you cluld enjoy! 3y
mandarchy @Jari-chan 😆 I looked up euphemisms for bull 💩 3y
Jari-chan @mandarchy 🙈🙈🙈😅 3y
33 likes8 comments
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Jari-chan
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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And here we go again 😁 This is my #BookSpin list for April 2022. Finished both of my March books, so I'm good to go!

@TheAromaofBooks #DoubleSpin

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
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DGRachel
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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#12booksof2021 #February This was another tough one, with 3 books I loved, but the tagged book wins if for no other reason than I didn‘t think anyone could make me enjoy Beowulf and this version had me rolling on the floor. Honorable mentions to Seven Years of Darkness by You-Jeong Jeong and Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter.

Andrew65 Sounds intriguing! 3y
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SamAnne
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

Bro! Tel me we still know how to speak of Kings!! Loved Headley‘s translation. If you enjoy classics, it‘s worth picking up the book just to read the Introduction by Headley talking about choosing this project, themes of mother and monster and being a woman translator of ancient texts.

Megabooks This was a fantastic audiobook!! 3y
SamAnne @Megabooks. I bet it was! I'm going to plan to do the audio as well. 3y
Tamra Need to get! 3y
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Zoes_Human I thoroughly enjoyed this translation! 3y
Chrissyreadit I need your zip code!!!! Please and Thankyou! 3y
82 likes6 comments
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SamAnne
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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“I don‘t know that Grendel‘s mother should be perceived in binary terms-monster versus human. My own experiences as a woman tell@me it‘s very possible to be mistaken for monstrous when one is only doing what men do: providing for and defending oneself. Whether one‘s solitary status is a result of abandonment by a man or because of choice, the reals of lore about single, self-sustaining women, suggest that women have been, over the centuries ⬇️

SamAnne mistaken for supernatural creatures simply because they were alone and capable. For all these reasons, I‘ve translated Grendel‘s mother here as “warrior-woman,” “outlaw” and “reclusive night-queen.‘ From Headley‘s introduction. And I love her head shot. 3y
vivastory I really enjoyed this translation! 3y
ravenlee I wrote an essay about Grendel‘s mother for my MA program years ago, and my prof rebutted my portrayal of her as an avenging angel/enraged mama bear by saying that women in that culture weren‘t warlike or powerful and so her actions were monstrous rather than understandable. I still call BS on that one...thanks for sharing this new translation. I need to find a copy. 3y
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SamAnne @ravenlee this will be right up your alley. In the intro she references a few background essays that sound fascinating. 3y
Megabooks So glad you enjoyed it!! 3y
Oryx Love this interpretation. Might have to read this translation now. 3y
LitStephanie @ravenlee that is tough because it really depends what theory of literary criticism you are looking at to understand the novel. Sure, your professor had a point about an author intent centric criticism ( although our samples of lit from that time/place are scarce), but seeing it as a living piece viewed fresh with modern sensibilities can be useful, too. 3y
LitStephanie She looks like a movie star in that headshot! 3y
kspenmoll This sounds intriguing! 3y
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SamAnne
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Oh! Bro! I am so glad I dived into this. Headley is a brilliant feminist bad ass with a sense of humor and this is a hoot. And she clearly knows her shit. The introduction is great. I‘m reading this along with a more classic translation. @LitStephanie you might love this. Happy to share when I‘m done

5feet.of.fury I am intrigued! 3y
LitStephanie Sounds fun! 3y
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mdemanatee
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Another 2 on order but, all in all, a very good Indie Bookstore Day haul (I got a very good price on the hardcovers, including the 2 I ordered. So, while I spent a lot, it‘s not as bad as it looks?) #indiebookstoreday

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Megabooks
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

If Beowulf were written by a slam poet, I think this would be the result. The #audiobook is freaking fantastic!! I‘m definitely going to listen again to get more out of the translation, but I think she‘s done a great job of modernizing it. (A lot of bro‘s and cursing, fwiw.)

On sale for the totally worth it price of $1.99 in the US! No membership needed. https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/beowulf-a-new-translation-by-maria-dahvana...

rockpools This sounds fantastic! 4y
Megabooks @rockpools it was fantastic, and still has a 100% rating after many Littens have read it. Enjoy! 4y
Hooked_on_books I love Chirp! Such great deals. 4y
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Cinfhen Thanks for sharing the deal!!!!! 4y
Megabooks @Hooked_on_books if Amazon stopped doing the 3 credits for $34, I‘d probably just switch to chirp for discount books. I‘m really starting to like it. 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen you‘re welcome! 4y
vivastory Heaney's version will probably remain my first love, but I really liked this one. Headley's new version cuts away the excess historical baggage to keep the momentum going. 4y
Megabooks @vivastory I don‘t think I‘ve read Heaney‘s. I‘ll have to look for it. Thanks! 4y
vivastory Also since I stan Backlisted they dedicated their most recent halloween episode to Beowulf 🤘 4y
SamAnne I just started this translation and am reading Heaney‘s at the same time. I love Headley‘s version! 3y
Megabooks @SamAnne It‘s just so different from any other one I‘ve read, and I love the narrator of the audiobook! 3y
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snapsnarlgrowl
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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So I‘m not usually one for audiobooks, but this was great. I loved the modern translation, and the narrator did an amazing job. It was the perfect thing to listen to while doing battle with a washing machine from 8pm to 7am the following morning, without sleep.

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sebrittainclark
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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I wasn't totally sure I'd manage a bingo this month, but I pulled it off right at the end.

#bookspinbingo #bookspin #doublebookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Fabulous month!! 4y
42 likes1 comment
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CoffeeK8
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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My tiny #bookhaul this week. I‘m super excited to read both.

ValerieAndBooks Great haul! 4y
39 likes1 comment
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rachelsbrittain
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Up on Unassigned Reading today @sebrittainclark wrote a really incredible review about her experience reading a new translation of Beowulf after her less than spectacular middle school reading. I adored this translation which was my first time reading Beowulf, but I loved hearing Sarah's thoughts on the different perspectives brought by the different translations. Check it out:

http://unassignedreadingpod.com/giving-beowulf-a-second-chance/

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sebrittainclark
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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For anyone who was interested, I've posted a much more in depth review of Beowulf: A New Translation on my blog.

http://unassignedreadingpod.com/giving-beowulf-a-second-chance/

TiminCalifornia Great review on your blog! 4y
46 likes1 comment
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sebrittainclark
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

4/5

I loved how much more accessible this version of Beowulf is than what I read in middle school. I was able to really appreciate the story in a new way. It got me super excited to check out The Mere Wife as well.

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sebrittainclark
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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1. Beowulf by Maria Dahvana Headley, Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz, and An Earl, the Girl, and a Toddler by Vanessa Riley

2. Accidental Engaged by Farah Heron

3. Darcy & Elizabeth, Jane Eyre & Mr. Rochester, Emma & Mr. Knightly

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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sebrittainclark
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Bro! Tell me we still know how to speak of Kings!

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

rachelsbrittain Truly the best first line of all time. 4y
29 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

Like many others, I HATED Beowulf in high school, but I heard such great things about this new translation, particularly in audiobook format, that I used a Libro.fm credit. I do not regret it. The story is rich, accessible, and hilarious. “Meanwhile, Beowulf gave zero shits.”🤣🤣

Megabooks Stacking!! I love a good audiobook! 4y
DGRachel @Megabooks I hope you enjoy it. I never thought I‘d have an appreciation for Beowulf, but I might actually listen to it again. 4y
rabbitprincess The print edition is on my to-buy list but I might have to get the audio as well! 4y
DGRachel @rabbitprincess I kind of wish I had a print version just to be able to highlight quotes, but the audiobook is a must, IMO 4y
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Rehesina
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

Thank you #NetGalley for this #ARC!

I never saw the appeal of Beowulf, especially after I read the Collins Classics translation, but Headley does a much better job making it much more readable but beautiful. She also made Beowulf sound like a dude-bro (which I lowkey love).

After two version of Beowulf now I won't go back for a third. But will I be buying this translation for a friend? 100%

3.5 stars

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Rehesina
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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"daddying for decades after his own daddy died."

That's the quote. I swear.

Reggie How‘s it feel to you so far? You enjoying it? 4y
Rehesina @Reggie I just finished it! I liked it much better than the other translation I read, but I feel like overall I‘m not going to be a fan of Beowulf. However, I will be quoting “daddying for decades” whenever and wherever I get a chance. 4y
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Rehesina
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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After @Reggie told me that there was a new translation of Beowulf I wasn‘t sure at the time if I would try to read it. But there it was on #NetGalley and they approved me (right on the day it published =P ). I‘ve decided to skip the introduction, it was around 13% of the book, which isn‘t a lot in terms of pages, just 18, but not my favourite thing. #Bookly

DGRachel I bought the audio of this. I think I need to move it up the priority list 4y
Reggie I hope you like it!🤞🏼 (edited) 4y
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KimHM
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

If you‘ve always known you should read this classic but never had the will, here is the way. Headley‘s translation is brilliant—funny, wise, colloquial in the most inspired way, inspiring to anyone who cares about language. All the ⭐️s.

#poetrymatters #poetrytoday

📚❤️📚❤️📚❤️📚❤️📚❤️📚❤️😍❤️📚❤️📚

Nute Your review has motivated me to get my hands on this book as soon as possible! 4y
KimHM I‘m so glad, @Nute! It really is such a wonderful version. (edited) 4y
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thestarlesscasea
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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^From Headley's introduction

Also...
"for the Danes
had slept sweetly in a world that had woken him,
benefited from bounty, even as they'd broken him."

College Casey's brain is exploding.
Current Casey's heart is exploding.
Very excited for this one.

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keepingupwiththepenguins
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

Bro! If the idea of reading Beowulf gives you traumatic flashbacks to high-school or university English lit classes, you need to check out this new translation. I‘m so glad I got to read and thoroughly enjoy this one for fun, instead of study. My full review here: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/new-releases/

sebrittainclark That is exactly why I got this edition! My most distinct memory of Beowulf in school was how terrible the books we used smelled. 4y
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KimHM
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Also in my Christmas haul (Bc #poetrymatters #poetrytoday) 📚😍📚😍📚😍📚😍📚😍📚😍

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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Twenty-two out of the forty-three books I read this month are 5-star reads, which tells you how great November has been for me. I bailed on three books; little patience for anything that wasn't exactly right. Highlights are on my blog: https://lindypratch.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-2020-reading-round-up.html

JennyM What an awesome month of reading! 👍 4y
Lindy @JennyM 😁 4y
Reggie Wow!!! 4y
41 likes3 comments
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rsteve388
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Happy Thanksgiving Littens. I hope it is an enjoyable day for.you. I am alone this year so I am gonna get some serious reading done today.

In prepare for #24B4Monday

rsteve388 @Nikki_E May I suggest you listen to this Beowulf translation. It's excellent! JD Jackson does an excellent job. 4y
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BookInMyHands
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

I read the Seamus Heaney translation in college and unexpectedly loved the story, reading it in one sitting.

I loved this new one too, maybe even more, although it‘s been 20+ years. Definitely worth the read!

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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

After reading the print edition, I listened to the audiobook edition. I couldn‘t get enough! JD Jackson‘s golden voice is absolutely perfect for this new translation. #audiobook #classicbarstoolboasting

Reggie I don‘t know if you‘ll like it but it‘s from a sketch show and it‘s basically Romeo and Juliet at a house party and instead of Montagues and Capulets it‘s CardiB and Nicki Minaj fandoms. Your quote from this book made me think of it. It‘s so funny. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-aeLai2I2V8 4y
Lindy @Reggie Funny! (For whom, dear Rome , would our children twerk? 😂) 4y
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Librarybelle
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

This translation is amazing! Headley‘s use of language and wordplay makes this a stunning telling of Beowulf. I was utterly captivated and devoured this, yet savored phrases and the imagery that came to life in this telling. Superb!

i.besteph Sounds like a really good book. Stacked :) 4y
rachelsbrittain My thoughts exactly! 4y
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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Maria Dahvana Headley‘s reason why we need to keep analyzing texts like Beowulf: “We might, if we analyzed our own long-standing stories, use them to translate ourselves into a society in which the hero doesn‘t require monster killing, border closing, and hoard clinging, but instead requires a more challenging task: taking responsibility for one another.”

Lesliereads 💗 4y
CarolynM ❤️ 4y
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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Beowulf is a living text in a dead language, the kind of thing meant to be shouted over a crowd of drunk celebrants. Even though it was probably written down in the quiet confines of a scriptorium, Beowulf is not a quiet poem. It‘s a dazzling, furious, funny, vicious, desperate, hungry, beautiful, mutinous, maudlin, supernatural, rapturous shout.
—from the author‘s introduction

batsy I want to read this! I enjoyed this long review of the translation https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2020/12/03/dudes-without-heirs/ 4y
Lindy @batsy 😁👍 4y
JazzFeathers Seriously, how can anyone resist this description? @Daisey 4y
Lindy @JazzFeathers Exactly! 4y
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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

“Holy hell, Beowulf, how‘d it go out there?” He “battled like a brawler” with monsters, that‘s how. This hero is “hashtag: blessed.” I find great pleasure in reading multiple interpretations of classic works, especially when the language play is as thrilling as in this new translation. Headley‘s nods to other versions include reference to Tolkien‘s Smaug: her dragon has “piles of preciouses.” I plan to listen to the audiobook next.

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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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In her acknowledgments, Headley thanks Emily Wilson for inspiration. I noticed at least two poetic metaphors that are the same in their respective translations: whale-road for sea, and sky-candle for sun.

8little_paws great catch! I enjoyed reading the odyssey version here, but haven't picked up the new Beowulf and really want to! 4y
SamAnne The new Beowolf in on my 2021 TBR list! 4y
Lindy @8little_paws @SamAnne I find it an invigorating read. 😊 4y
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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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…bringing you this token of our esteem, sea-booty, gore-loot / no big whoop. Here‘s to glory! And now, my story.

(Internet photo)

Soubhiville Terrific photo for this quote! 4y
Lindy @Soubhiville The Silverdale Hoard, found in Lancashire in 2011, is one of the largest Viking hoards ever recovered in the UK. 4y
LeahBergen I‘m fascinated by hoards and always so interested when another one is found. 4y
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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Meanwhile, Beowulf gave zero shits.
He dressed himself in glittering gear
his mail-shirt finely forged, links locked
and loaded. He‘d meet this murdering mother
under mere, and amend her existence.

Cathythoughts 👍🏻Go on Beowulf 4y
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Lindy
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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“[...] Now he heard and endured
the din of drinkers. Their poetry poisoned his peace.
Every night, turmoil: raucous laughter from Heorot, howling of harps, squawking of scops.”

(Oh, Grendel, I‘ve been there: putting up with noisy neighbours who party every night.)

vivastory Have you listened to the recent episode of Backlisted that focuses on Beowulf? 4y
Lindy @vivastory No, but now that I know about it, I will. 😊 I‘ve read quite a few adaptations and translations. This one is my fave so far. Also loved her retelling: 4y
Lindy @vivastory I listened to the Backlisted episode today: 👍Now I‘ve downloaded a library copy of 4y
vivastory I actually haven't listened to the episode yet, but I plan on doing so after I read this translation. Glad to hear that this is your favorite! I have Grendel on my shelves and have been meaning to get to it for awhile now 4y
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rachelsbrittain
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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Pickpick

For a Beowulf newbie, this translation was so interesting to read. I loved the introduction laying out Headley's choices and direction in thai translation and why she agreed and disagrees with certain accepted facts of the translation of Beowulf. And what can I say, any opener that starts off with the word "bro" is a winner in my book.

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rachelsbrittain
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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What an opening line: "Bro! Tell me we still know how to speak of kings!"

SamAnne Hope to get to this one soon! 4y
rachelsbrittain @SamAnne I hadn't read any of the other translations before and really enjoyed it 4y
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rachelsbrittain
Beowulf: A New Translation | Maria Dahvana Headley
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A little chai, a little Beowulf

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