|
-
News
- Features
- Events
Calendar
- Editorials
- Monthly
Zine
- Offworld
Report
- Our Daily
RSS Feed
- Movie/TV
Reviews
> Recent movies
> Movies by year
> Movies by title
- Book
Reviews
> Recent books
> Books by year
> Books by title
- Home
- Worlds
- Biography
- Bibliography
- Appearances
- Reviews
- Blog
- Community
- Press
- Links
Become
an Advertiser
- Web
Site Directory
- Search
the Net
- StephenHunt.net
- WoodenRocket.com
- Check
your E-mail
- Non Sci-Fi
News
|
Beowulf by Caitlin R. Kiernan
01/04/2008 . Source: Laura Kayne 
pub: Bantam Books. 371 page paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-0-55381-937-3. Buy Beowulf in the USA - or Buy Beowulf in the UK  check out website: www.rbooks.co.uk
The myth of Beowulf dates back centuries, an epic poem of heroes, monsters and fights to the death. Its themes are universal and enduring and is what has kept it safely hidden within the psyche of society, waiting to be discovered again and again by storytellers.
Thousands of years ago, such stories were told around campfires, passed down through generations, perhaps to teach children both fear and courage. The most recent version of this nearly-forgotten tale is a film by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary - both master storytellers. This book, 'Beowulf' by Caitin R. Kiernan is also a rare creature. A novel based on a screenplay based on a poem.
As Neil Gaiman states in his introduction, '...different re-tellings, recombining story DNA.' The ones that work will be remembered and re-told. For that is the essence of a good story, especially one such as Beowulf based on the oral tradition. Part of what keeps stories alive is the differing versions, the physical act of re-telling a classic or mythical tale in a unique and new way. It seems obvious that this is what appealed to Gaiman, with the love of stories and archetypes that shows through in 'The Sandman' comics.
Gaiman continues, describing how he was tempted to forego a novelisation of his screenplay and suggest that people read the original poem, but then introduces Kiernan's version with. She took the tale of 'Beowulf' and the script to the film and told a tale that pounds in your head, a mead and blood-scented saga that should be chanted at midnight in swamps and on lonely hilltops.
The story of 'Beowulf' is one of an old king facing an old enemy, Grendel. The monster Grendel plagues the palace and its inhabitants, night after night, killing warriors and scaring anyone left alive. Many warriors travel from far away to battle this monster but none survive. Then, to this palace, arrive Beowulf and his men. Beowulf is a great warrior whose reputation precedes him and he promises to kill Grendel.
Here is one man who the old king believes can follow through on his promise. That night, Grendel attacks the palace again and Beowulf faces him bare-chested and weaponless. Through pure strength of will, he succeeds in tearing off Grendel's arm and leaves him to retreat and die. For once, amongst the mourning of more men dead there is also celebration. Grendel is finally dead! The king rewards Beowulf with his greatest possession, a gold drinking horn that he obtained from a dragon's treasure after slaying it and names Beowulf as his successor.
However, the following night there is another attack, and the second part of the old king's curse is revealed. Grendel has a mother. So Beowulf travels into caves and shadows to meet the monster's mother. He does indeed confront her and she tempts him with riches even more than he has just gained providing he gives her his son. But he returns with the news that she is dead, although he has lost the precious drinking horn in battle with her in dark waters and the attacks stop.
Until years later and Beowulf is now king, when a new monster, a dragon, begins his attacks on the palace, royal family and warriors. It is then that the warriors finally learn Beowulf's secret, of the curse on both him and the old king of years ago.
Beowulf is an epic, exciting tale of monsters, heroes, warriors, secrets, action and death. The characters are archetypal and universal, from the tired old king to the brave hero who inherits a kingdom as a prize, from the trusted advisor and friend to the quietly brave and wise queen. It is a story full of tension and fun adventure for anyone and everyone and it is very easy to imagine it being whispered in the faint light of a fire centuries ago or performed on village greens. This telling by Caitlin R. Kiernan reads very much like an orally told version, with the use of present tense and very visual descriptions.
The language is relatively simple, the scene set early on and the story follows a straight-forward narrative, as if someone were recanting what they had seen. The setting of centuries ago, the era of Norsemen, Asgard and Odin, King of the Norse Gods is very real and well researched. As a novelisation of a screenplay, it works well to focus on the visual and provides sound, smells, colours and taste. This makes it very easy to read and become absorbed. The atmosphere and tension is very real and clearly conveyed through language and the reactions of the characters. Beowulf is a hero but a flawed one. Grendel's mother is clever and alluring and even Grendel seems to have a human side. It is impossible not to develop some investment in these epic characters and let the story and Kiernan's rich and flowing language wash over you as you read.
Laura Kayne
|
|
