BEOWULF by Gareth Hinds

BEOWULF by Gareth Hinds

Bibliography: Hinds, Gareth. 2007.  BEOWULF. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3023-2.

Summary: This epic tale follows the deeds of Beowulf against the terrible monster Grendel.  In the country of Denmark, a king builds a hall worthy of his majesty and his men’s great valor.  The monster Grendel, grew jealous of the men’s world and attacked and killed all within the hall that night.  Henceforth no one stayed in the hall after nightfall.  Beowulf heard of these deeds and sailed with his men to slay the monster.  Beowulf and his men were greeted with joy and stayed the night in the hall.  That night Grendel attacked the hall killing many men.  Beowulf watched from a far and then attacked the monster himself.  The fight was gruesome and Beowulf rips off the monster’s arm.  Knowing the Grendel will probably die they celebrate.  However, the monster’s mother, a “loathsome troll-wife,” avenged her sons gruesome mauling by taking the kings closest sage in the night.  Beowulf goes and fights Grendel’s mother and eventually kills both her and the dying Grendel.  Beowulf goes home with his treasures.  Many years later Beowulf becomes king of his country.  He lives out his days in peace…until one day.  Beowulf is forced to fight one last time against a foe most foul. This fight may well be his last.

Plot Analysis: I have loved this epic since the first time I heard it back in college.  The epic itself is both dark and heroic.  Gareth Hinds’ illustrations in this graphic novel match that feeling perfectly.  The majority of the graphic novel is in muted greens, browns, and greys, evoking very strong emotions in the reader.  I, for example, find the illustrations delightfully scary.  Many of the pages show Beowulf, walls, and everything else covered in blood.  Hinds makes the story come alive with his amazing illustrations and limited writing.  On many pages there is nothing but illustrations making the reader decipher the story on their own.  Many times graphic novels are meant for adults and this one is no different.  The gore and violence is very appropriate for the epic but not so much for children under the age of 16.  My favorite pictures are the ones of Beowulf’s face.  The reader really gets to see the emotion and many times ferocity of Beowulf.  Gareth Hinds’ interpretation of this great epic is both entertaining and accurate.  This was my first graphic novel, but I intend to read many more. 

Review Excerpts:

·      Booklist: “Gorgeous…will have high appeal for many, particularly fans of video games and action movies.”

·      The New York Times Book Review: “A first-rate horror yarn…Hinds stages great fight scenes, choreographing them like a kung-fu master….Visceral.”

Connections:

·      Great book for any fan of graphic novels. A bit scary, so not for children.

·      A great way for high school age kids to get into the epics.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Hinds, Gareth. 2010. THE ODYSSEY. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0763642681.

o   Hinds, Gareth. 2009. KING LEAR. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0763643430.