Here is the famous Beowulf story, retold for the young adult reader.
Like the original Anglo-Saxon manuscript, it is divided into three
parts. The first section narrates Beowulfs battle against Grendel.
The second section tells of the furious revenge of Grendels mother,
an ageless monster with indomitable will, who lives in a dark green,
murky sea which the Danes believe to be bottomless, and who can stalk
and kill with her sons savage power. This section is often left out
of retellings. The third section shows the great hero in his
declining years. It almost never appears in retellings. Herein,
Beowulf is an old man. It is decades after his assistance to King
Hrothgar, and Beowulf is back home among the Geats as their chosen
king. His final battle shows his new method in fighting. Youthful
speed and strength have been replaced with cunning, deception,
strategy. There are moments when his strength revives. His opponent
is an aging dragon, who now flies slowly and awkwardly, but can still
shoot down enough fire to imperil the Geats kingdom. Aging hero faces
aging monster in an early-day twilight of the gods, with displays of
valor and chivalry before these terms were known. The dragon breathes
streaks of lethal fire, but suffers shortness of breath. The heavy
scales on his body provide excellent armor, but tend to tire him.
While flying, he notices small birds passing him. The two opponents
feel a grudging respect and realize their era is ending, no matter
who wins their relentless duel. The award-winning author from
Michigan has translated the Beowulf poem from the original
Anglo-Saxon and now combines scholarship with the spellbinding force
of a great epic tale. Mr. Philip Helms, Editor for the American
Tolkien Society, says of this work: Mr. Joness retelling of the
Beowulf epic transforms the ancient, heroic poem into a gripping
adventure story for young adults. Not just an exciting read, his
novel will prove a valuable aid to the young readers appreciation of
the original classic, and a well-crafted tool for those who would
open the original to the younger student.
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