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Beowulf: A Tale of Blood, Heat, and Ashes
The exhilarating epic blazes to life — featuring illustrations by a lead artist on the LORD OF THE RINGS film trilogy.
"Look into the flames and let your minds empty. . . . For this is a tale of blood and heat and ashes."
It is a tale that has been retold countless times through the centuries — and here, in an enthralling edition illustrated by a noted Tolkien artist, the mighty Beowulf is well set to capture new legions of followers. This contemporary retelling of the ancient epic — narrated with a touch of banter by the faithful Wiglaf and featuring vividly dramatic illustrations — follows the mythic hero from his disarming of the gruesome Grendel to his sword battle with the monster’s sea hag mother to his final, fiery showdown with an avenging dragon.
"Look into the flames and let your minds empty. . . . For this is a tale of blood and heat and ashes."
It is a tale that has been retold countless times through the centuries — and here, in an enthralling edition illustrated by a noted Tolkien artist, the mighty Beowulf is well set to capture new legions of followers. This contemporary retelling of the ancient epic — narrated with a touch of banter by the faithful Wiglaf and featuring vividly dramatic illustrations — follows the mythic hero from his disarming of the gruesome Grendel to his sword battle with the monster’s sea hag mother to his final, fiery showdown with an avenging dragon.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 17, 2024
I have read Beowulf in several forms over the years and some are easier than others I can tell you. So this was a delight - not only from the lavish illustrations from the same artist who is more famous for his Tolkien art John Howe - but the text has been revised to make it more accessible - so now you have an epic story with amazing artwork.
This is a fascinating series to be honest - the titles are treated as classics for all age but you have books ranging from Alice in Wonderland to Dracula and stopping off along the way Beowulf.
But this is part of the larger tale - this not only tells the tale of Grendel and his mother but also of the dragon that came after - I find that even for such an easy access book (this is not the scholarly edition I first read all those years ago) but still it sill has the power to surprise me - that is the sign of a good book in my mind.
This is a fascinating series to be honest - the titles are treated as classics for all age but you have books ranging from Alice in Wonderland to Dracula and stopping off along the way Beowulf.
But this is part of the larger tale - this not only tells the tale of Grendel and his mother but also of the dragon that came after - I find that even for such an easy access book (this is not the scholarly edition I first read all those years ago) but still it sill has the power to surprise me - that is the sign of a good book in my mind.
July 17, 2020
Having finished reading Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf, I pulled this book off the shelf to have a look. The text here, by Nicky Raven, is not a direct translation of the original poem. It’s a narrative summary, all told from the point of view of Wiglaf. After being immersed in the original poem, I found this adaptation forced and bland.
The real reason for this book, however, is John Howe’s illustrations. Like his Tolkien artwork, most everything here is good. But as I read through the book, I felt that perhaps Beowulf does best in words alone. The words are vivid and thrilling, but to actually see an illustration of what Grendel may have looked like . . . it seems really inadequate, even silly. A lot of the imagery in the poem works best in one’s own imagination, not translated through someone else's illustrations. So despite the lavish illustrations (maybe because of them; and definitely because of the weak textual adaptation), for me this book reduces the power of the original tale.
The real reason for this book, however, is John Howe’s illustrations. Like his Tolkien artwork, most everything here is good. But as I read through the book, I felt that perhaps Beowulf does best in words alone. The words are vivid and thrilling, but to actually see an illustration of what Grendel may have looked like . . . it seems really inadequate, even silly. A lot of the imagery in the poem works best in one’s own imagination, not translated through someone else's illustrations. So despite the lavish illustrations (maybe because of them; and definitely because of the weak textual adaptation), for me this book reduces the power of the original tale.
January 12, 2023
This was great it taught me a lot about the Anglo Saxons and many heroes. The main character (Beowulf) shows a lot of determination and perseverance. The book should be read to ages 9 to 14.
July 24, 2020
I love Beowulf. I have read a few different versions of it, as well as some novels that are inspired by this epic poem. When I found out that there is a retelling that includes illustrations by the artist John Howe, I just had to have it.
Like with any classic, there are translations and retellings. This would fall more under the “retelling” category than a full-blown new translation of the original text. It flows a little bit more like a fairy tale than like the epic itself. It’s also a bit simplified, which makes it more accessible to a broader age range. It’s a fantastic retelling, but in no way can it replace the original.
To be honest, what sold me on the book are the illustrations. Most of you know who John Howe is. For those who don’t let me give a little example of his fantasy cred: he was a concept designer for The Lord of the Rings movies (his style is very apparent in the Fell Beasts), has created cover art for many fantasy novels, worked on other movies such as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and his art can even be found on Magic the Gathering cards (sadly, my own Magic cards don’t have his art on them). I personally also love his art in A Diversity of Dragons. And let me tell you, his popularity is well-deserved.
His art in Beowulf: A Tale of Blood, Heat, and Ashes is phenomenal. The depth and atmosphere he brought to the book elevates it from a story to something more. It drew me in. My oldest will be reading Beowulf (Seamus Heaney’s translation) this school year and I am going to have him also read Beowulf: A Tale of Blood, Heat, and Ashes. I am positive it will deepen his appreciation for the original, as well as give him an opportunity to enjoy some stunning artwork.
I highly suggest reading this book. Actually, just buy it and add it to your collection. I guarantee you’ll want to own it.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
Like with any classic, there are translations and retellings. This would fall more under the “retelling” category than a full-blown new translation of the original text. It flows a little bit more like a fairy tale than like the epic itself. It’s also a bit simplified, which makes it more accessible to a broader age range. It’s a fantastic retelling, but in no way can it replace the original.
To be honest, what sold me on the book are the illustrations. Most of you know who John Howe is. For those who don’t let me give a little example of his fantasy cred: he was a concept designer for The Lord of the Rings movies (his style is very apparent in the Fell Beasts), has created cover art for many fantasy novels, worked on other movies such as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and his art can even be found on Magic the Gathering cards (sadly, my own Magic cards don’t have his art on them). I personally also love his art in A Diversity of Dragons. And let me tell you, his popularity is well-deserved.
His art in Beowulf: A Tale of Blood, Heat, and Ashes is phenomenal. The depth and atmosphere he brought to the book elevates it from a story to something more. It drew me in. My oldest will be reading Beowulf (Seamus Heaney’s translation) this school year and I am going to have him also read Beowulf: A Tale of Blood, Heat, and Ashes. I am positive it will deepen his appreciation for the original, as well as give him an opportunity to enjoy some stunning artwork.
I highly suggest reading this book. Actually, just buy it and add it to your collection. I guarantee you’ll want to own it.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
August 6, 2021
Eh. If this was my first introduction to Beowulf I would have written the story off entirely. There were too many illustrations for a novel and too many words for a picture book.
The moralizing in the character biographies in the end that weren't any part of the story, namely that Beowulf would have been distressed that after all the monsters were gone and there weren't any predators, mankind would turn on each other was...what? Why is that even in there? I reread the end of my other copies of Beowulf, including Seamus Heaney's translation, just to make sure that nope, that wasn't in the original story and purely the addition of Nicky Raven. I hate it so much when retellings include extrapolations that have nothing to do with anything.
It is important to remember that the people that originally told this story were NOT us. There is no reason that we should tell the story and align it to society's current trends.
My 12 yr old read it and was unimpressed, my 16 yr old rolled his eyes when I read the character bio to him.
One star for the story, two stars for the illustrations, which are ok, but not especially memorable with the exception of the snaggle teeth on Grendel and his mother that are very reminiscent of deep sea fishes.
If you are looking for a book to introduce Beowulf to the early elementary audience, I would suggest the Dover coloring book Beowulf by John Green. For older elementary and middle school I would suggest Beowulf the Warrior by Ian Serraillier. Both are much more respectful and accurate for the original story and keep the adventure intact.
The moralizing in the character biographies in the end that weren't any part of the story, namely that Beowulf would have been distressed that after all the monsters were gone and there weren't any predators, mankind would turn on each other was...what? Why is that even in there? I reread the end of my other copies of Beowulf, including Seamus Heaney's translation, just to make sure that nope, that wasn't in the original story and purely the addition of Nicky Raven. I hate it so much when retellings include extrapolations that have nothing to do with anything.
It is important to remember that the people that originally told this story were NOT us. There is no reason that we should tell the story and align it to society's current trends.
My 12 yr old read it and was unimpressed, my 16 yr old rolled his eyes when I read the character bio to him.
One star for the story, two stars for the illustrations, which are ok, but not especially memorable with the exception of the snaggle teeth on Grendel and his mother that are very reminiscent of deep sea fishes.
If you are looking for a book to introduce Beowulf to the early elementary audience, I would suggest the Dover coloring book Beowulf by John Green. For older elementary and middle school I would suggest Beowulf the Warrior by Ian Serraillier. Both are much more respectful and accurate for the original story and keep the adventure intact.
June 19, 2018
a rich and well cared off edition with art from John Howe of the story of Beowulf. the story is powerful and well written and the art... well its john howe! hard bound in a heavy sleeve. the story of Beowulf is well known especially for history and Tolkien fans, a great hero fights monstrous monsters and finally dies. good old stories without too much fuss as they used to make them back in older days when everything was purer and to the point. glad to own this comic book.
December 30, 2022
Howe's art is suited to the task, Raven's prose is not. I actually think the high-level changes were a good idea for kids. Picking Wiglaf as a perspective character is clever and made the story easier for my children to get a hold of. Most of the innovated material around character motivations and background makes sense. But Raven doesn't know what words to pick or how to match pace to content. You can clean it up as you read aloud but Beowulf and Howe deserved better.
February 24, 2014
In the story “Beowulf,” the author John Howe presents a ‘’brave and honorable warrior’’ who would save a country by killing darkness an evil creature. The name of this warrior is Beowulf. ‘’Beowulf was a young man that was summon to the Hrothgra Hall in Dane to kill Grendel’’ a monster that was terrorizing the Hrothgar Hall by killing their people. Beowulf arrived in the Dane land and started his plan to kill Grendel that night, but Grendel did not show; the night past and there was no site of Grendel. Grendel shows himself the next night and Beowulf was waiting for him; Beowulf did not manage to kill Grendel, but he did manage to rip Grendel arm off. After that scene, Beowulf went back to the hall to talk with the king, when Beowulf was talking to the king, Grendel’s mother appears and was furious for what they did to her son, and she started killing and smashing men all over the hall to make them pay for what they did to her son. Beowulf manages to injure Grendel’s mom and the furious beast escapes from Beowulf. Later, Beowulf and other warriors join the journey to find Grendel’s mom. To find out more about Beowulf’s journey you would have to read the story.
February 10, 2008
Since working with a home-schooled boy last year (if GG reads this, he would like this book) on medieval literature, I've been on a "Beowulf" quest, starting with reading and listening to Seamus Heaney's translation. This is the third children's version I've read and it stands up well against the two other, which is high praise (Gareth Hinds's gripping graphic novel and James Rumford's picture book, which masterfully captures a feel for the old language). John Howe's rich color illustrations are lavishly printed on thick pages, and Nicky Raven retells the tale mostly from the point of view of Wiglaf, which turns out to be a clever turn. Now onto Michael Morpurgo's interpretation.
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December 22, 2013Beowulf dies in battle with a fearsome dragon. At the great warrior's funeral, Wiglaf (the protege) and Scaife (the constant companion) talk:
"An hour later, I sat with Scaife by my side, watching the [funeral] boat drift out to sea, burning brightly, the flames having caught the sweet oils drenching Beowulf's shroud.
"'We shall never see the like again,' I observed.
"'We have no need,' answered Scaife, enigmatic to the last. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows.
"'The dragon was the last of the beasts of legend,' he continued. 'The time for warrior-heroes has passed. Man now need fear only his own inhumanity.'" pg. 69
"An hour later, I sat with Scaife by my side, watching the [funeral] boat drift out to sea, burning brightly, the flames having caught the sweet oils drenching Beowulf's shroud.
"'We shall never see the like again,' I observed.
"'We have no need,' answered Scaife, enigmatic to the last. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows.
"'The dragon was the last of the beasts of legend,' he continued. 'The time for warrior-heroes has passed. Man now need fear only his own inhumanity.'" pg. 69
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January 8, 2016
I would hope that other translations would fare better than thou. Seamus Heaney seems the best way forward. I will keep thee informed.
June 5, 2023
Wonderful! Bought this one for my grandchildren and I’m sure they will love it.
March 15, 2020
As the introduction to this book explains, Beowulf, an Old English epic poem, was written sometime around the early 11th century when an anonymous author pinned 3,182 alliterative long lines of poetry following the epic deeds of the hero Beowulf. Since that time many translations and retellings of Beowulf’s tale have emerged. In this version, author Nicky Raven has chosen to retell the most exciting parts of Beowulf’s epic adventure through the eyes of a young warrior, Wiglaf, who has gone seeking Beowulf to enlist him to save the land of Dane from a hideous monster. Told in a cadence hinting at more ancient times, this narration of the Beowulf is an excellent edition for today's youth.
The tale begins with a terrible monster wreaking havoc for a month on Lord Hrothgar’s castle of Heorot in the land of Dane. The beast, named Grendel, savagely murders and devours almost all the warriors so the king sends Wiglaf across the seas to the land of the Geats to ask King Hygelac to send his most mighty warrior, Beowulf. Beowulf’s heroic efforts to rid the land of Grendel and then Grendel’s mother, and then a dragon unfold until he meets his heroic end.
At first glance and quick pass at a passage or two, readers will immediately pick up a Lord of the Rings vibe. There is a reason for this, the illustrator is John Howe, who was very involved in the creation of Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. His artwork, both colored pencil drawings and watercolor paintings, sprinkled throughout the book in both full page illustrations and smaller inset drawing, along with the font of some sections and headings, might make readers expect Frodo or Gandalf to appear instead of Beowulf. While the shape of the book, being more like that of picture book than a novel, appears to lend itself to elementary school children, the illustrations, the gruesomeness of some scenes, and the level of the vocabulary and sentence structure make it more appropriate for middle school children. Those same qualities that make it attractive to elementary school students might prevent high school age children wanting to pick up the book, but the story and language are definitely sophisticated and engaging enough for them to enjoy.
The tale begins with a terrible monster wreaking havoc for a month on Lord Hrothgar’s castle of Heorot in the land of Dane. The beast, named Grendel, savagely murders and devours almost all the warriors so the king sends Wiglaf across the seas to the land of the Geats to ask King Hygelac to send his most mighty warrior, Beowulf. Beowulf’s heroic efforts to rid the land of Grendel and then Grendel’s mother, and then a dragon unfold until he meets his heroic end.
At first glance and quick pass at a passage or two, readers will immediately pick up a Lord of the Rings vibe. There is a reason for this, the illustrator is John Howe, who was very involved in the creation of Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. His artwork, both colored pencil drawings and watercolor paintings, sprinkled throughout the book in both full page illustrations and smaller inset drawing, along with the font of some sections and headings, might make readers expect Frodo or Gandalf to appear instead of Beowulf. While the shape of the book, being more like that of picture book than a novel, appears to lend itself to elementary school children, the illustrations, the gruesomeness of some scenes, and the level of the vocabulary and sentence structure make it more appropriate for middle school children. Those same qualities that make it attractive to elementary school students might prevent high school age children wanting to pick up the book, but the story and language are definitely sophisticated and engaging enough for them to enjoy.
May 7, 2018
Great and thrilling story retold by Nicky Raven through the eyes of Wiglaf - Beowulf's companion.
When I first time held the book in my hands I was quite surprised by its weight. It has only some 70 pages or so but they're really thick. I had a strange feeling everytime I tried to turn the page that I was holding more pages between my fingers and always tried to separate them. I've literally never seen thicker pages in a book. But that's not the only good thing about this edition.
It's lavishly illustrated by incredible tallented John Howe who really know his stuff and together with great overall design and thrilling story, this book was a real page-turner.
I enjoyed every page of Beowulf's story and I will definetly read another retelling and translations, for this ancient story got me interested.
When I first time held the book in my hands I was quite surprised by its weight. It has only some 70 pages or so but they're really thick. I had a strange feeling everytime I tried to turn the page that I was holding more pages between my fingers and always tried to separate them. I've literally never seen thicker pages in a book. But that's not the only good thing about this edition.
It's lavishly illustrated by incredible tallented John Howe who really know his stuff and together with great overall design and thrilling story, this book was a real page-turner.
I enjoyed every page of Beowulf's story and I will definetly read another retelling and translations, for this ancient story got me interested.
April 10, 2021
Obviously this is not the full-blown story, since it's an illustrated kid's book, but it was very well done . The story is told in an interesting and gripping way, and is accompanied by excellent illustrations by John Howe. I don't typically read kids books much, but I have the Seamus Heaney version of Beowulf sitting on my shelf, and have been kind of intimidated by it. Now that I have a better idea of the story (and how interesting it is), I am more excited about picking up the Heaney version!
September 11, 2018
I've read this beautifully illustrated rendition of Beowulf aloud to each of my children as part of our history/literature studies. The story is gruesome at times, which parents should know before passing this book to sensitive young readers, but the illustrations are lovely in an epic way.
March 28, 2019
I never read this version of the book and I really enjoyed how it was retold and it was still on tracked and matched up with the other version that I have read previously. I enjoyed Beowulf, I think it had an interesting plot and it had actions scenes throughout the book that were in depth.
April 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this book for its pictures and story. I have read the longer versions of Beowulf before, but this made me understand it much better. I think I should have read this first instead of reading the originals. It would have helped.
December 11, 2020
I bought this edition because of John Howe's illustrations - which I love.
It was also the first time I actually read Beowulf. Wow...that ending about man's own inhumanity really makes you think twice about what the poem is about.
It was also the first time I actually read Beowulf. Wow...that ending about man's own inhumanity really makes you think twice about what the poem is about.
July 12, 2021
Great, fast-paced retelling for a younger audience with wonderful illustrations by Howe. The graphic design on the pages is lovely, too, using reproductions of the Beowulf manuscript (Nowell Codex) in the margin.
September 23, 2018
Excellent illustrations and storytelling.
November 5, 2019
A great retelling of an epic Anglo Saxon classic, and a awe inspiring insight into a forgotten world of heroes.
November 22, 2019
Illustrations were simply beautiful and well thought out. Although I expect no less from John Howe.
June 12, 2020
This book is an excellent retelling of Beowulf ina very much understandable language than the original tales. Besides is fillled with gorgeous art by John Howe, really recommend it.
April 13, 2021
Fantastic. Difficult to find a good abridgment of epic tales. Though the language is a little advanced, the story flows and the illustrations are excellent. Great intro for kids.
June 28, 2021
A great version of the classic story with gorgeous illustrations by the same artist who did the concept art for The Lord of the Rings films.
February 1, 2022
A fine re-telling. Of course it doesn’t live up to the original, being a narrative prose telling…BUT THE ART!!!!
March 2, 2022
This book both thrilled and terrified the boys!
October 25, 2022
Fun read with loads of cool pictures.
March 1, 2023
John Howe's art is INCREDIBLE, but I could have done without the useless fanfic retelling of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews