Grendel

_Grendel_ is based on the old English poem, _Beowulf_, but is told from the point of view of the monster. Grendel is a hairy, fearsome creature with an appetite for human beings. He resides in a cave with his mother who is even more homely than her son, and smelly as well. She loves Grendel very much and occasionally embraces him and will come to Grendel's assistance when he calls her, but says little if anything to him. Grendel is often confused by his mother's behavior.

Grendel is a lonely creature and has no friends. Afraid of Grendel, the Danes, who live near him, merely shun him. In a nearby castle, live good King Hrothgar and his lovely Queen Wealheow, whom Grendel attempted to kill, but just as suddenly dropped the plan. Unferth, one of the king's soldiers, would very much like to kill Grendel. Grendel knows Unferth's heroic pretentions and merely plays with him, terribly frustrating Unferth.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to become friends with people who so thoroughly reject you and when your only ambition is to devour them. Grendel seeks the advice of an ancient dragon, who is filled with cynicism. Further confusing Grendel are the beautiful epic songs of Shaper which enchant Grendel. He also understands the language the Danes speak--why do they not understand him?

Everything comes to a head when the mysterious Geats come to the land of King Hrothgar. One particular stranger sizes up Grendel and his fate is sealed. _Grendel_ is a magnificent tale--it reads like poetry and it tells a story overflowing with adventure and human foibles and psychology. I often feel great sympathy for its pathetic lead character, who was decidely immature, dependant on his mother, and a cry baby. The tale is also often funny, especially the unmitigated joy Grendel feels in the presence of the Geats: "Swiftly, softly, I will...destroy them all, swallow every last man. For pure mad pranks, I snatch a cloth from the nearest table and tie it around my neck to make a napkin." Misunderstood, indeed!

Grendel, a retelling of the classic "Beowulf", is an epic novel that shows what the monster was thinking, and also allows an elaboration through it's flashbackk set up. Grendel first comes into contact with men when he attacked by the king and a group of his thanes, he survives this only by his mother's intervention. He later attempts to conciliate with the thanes at their quarters, but he is attacked and is forced to kill several of the drunks. One of the men, Unferth, follows Grendel and attempts to die a heroic death, but he merely taunts Unferth and sends him on his way. This story is ended with Grendel lying against a gnarled tree surrounded by his foes of the past, bleeding from where his arm was removed by a cold and calculationg stranger, who is apparently Beowulf. This is strongly recommended to anyone who feels in the need for a good read.
In this novel the reader can notice a depth that wasn't possible in the original poem, as it was focused on Beowulf. They are able to see throught the eyes of the creature and understand how he was feeling, what he was debating on, and his thoughts over all. The reader can see the things that he went through that ultimately led him to his downfall. They are able to witness the persuasion of the dragon and feel how Grendel felt as he was battling his feelings. Without this, the story would have been useless.
With the way this book was written, in a flahsback format, the reader is able to read how Grendel feels about things he did in the past. He finds humor in his naivete, and he speaks about how he has developed from his young and puppy-like self into a somewhat confident adult. He speaks about his relationship with his mother, and how he loved her because of his dependence, yet he hated her because of her inability to speak and think coherently. This fact lends even more to the depth of character in this piece.
Grendel shows a large amount of cynicism and the ability to form philosophies. His theories give something to ponder, and add to the 'price' of the piece. Grendel believe that he created this reality, and that he is the only thing that truly exists. He feels constantly alone and isolated because of this fact. Believing that there is no supreme force and every thing is coincidence, he commits any crime he wishes without consequence. His mind is immature, and he believes that he is nothing of true merit, yet he is angry with the sky for not returning his conversation.
This piece is a true masterpiece, and I believe that everyone should at least attempt to read it's altogether delightful pages. It lends a great deal to the original story, despite them being very different from each other. With the huge amount of character development and identity hidden within the plot, it is simply superb. Combine this with it's philosophical depth and personaility, and you have a novel that will be appreciated for -hopefully- a very long time to come.

J. Wingfield

I read "Grendel" as summer reading for AP English. I will readily admit that I did not understand it at all the first time I read it. But upon revisiting the novel in class this semester, I realize how brilliant it is. In addition to being an exploration of existentialism, Gardner uses one of the first works of English literature to make a sweeping survey of humanity and its institutions. As Grendel is a monster - part human, part animal - living on the fringes of human society, he is a particularly appropriate critic of language, history, religion, government, art, and human society in general. The so-called absurdity of the human condition can also be quite funny. I laughed hysterically at some of the scenes - Hrothgar's thanes thinking that Grendel is a fungus; Grendel pelting one of Hrothgar's haughty thanes with apples; Grendel telling Ork the priest that he is the Great Destroyer. The dragon, who advises Grendel, is also a memorable character.

This book is a recognized modern classic based on what mortals have learned of in the past 30 years about manageable insanity or perhaps the criminally insane.

This presents an entertaining alternative perspective from Grendel the beast, his thoughtful enlightenment, enraged by the joy of man, driven forward by fate to the concluding encounter with the Geat's greatest warrior Beowulf. Grendel the loner, the faithful son, is an insane beast tamed by the lyrics of the storyteller poet, driven by lust or fate to unending torment of the viking king and his subjects.

Grendel plays with his food, and seems near immortal, always hungry for fresh meat and understanding of why he exists.

This book is a relentless page turner, and the reader is best prepared if he is familiar with the epic itself. It is a disturbing vista into the depths of places we hope to never venture. For mature readers only. Others may not understand why one would bother to spend the time.

Before I knew who Grendel was, I had read Beowulf in english class. After seeing how Beowulf was written, I immediatley regretted my decision of picking Grendel. But, with high hopes I ventured on and kept reading. It turned out it was written nothing like Beowulf. Told through the eyes of Grendel, it showed a different side to the story; a more interesting one if you ask me. Even though there were some parts that confused me, Grendel, overall, was an easier read than Beowulf.
Since it was told in the first person point of view, it allowed me to really picture what was going on and pretend that I was Grendel. It made it more interactive and not as boring. I didn't give this book 5 stars, because there was one section of the book that was told like a play, which really confused me. But, overall Grendel was a good book.