"Beowulf"

101 pages

Translated by David Wright

Overall grade: B-

 
 

I know what you’re thinking. Beowulf? Really? Isn’t that like a really old book? Ha ha. Yes you’re right. It is really old, but it’s also a pretty awesome story too! It’s got a dragon, weird monsters, pretty intense fight scenes, and as much gore as they felt they could handle during the 8^th to 10^th century, which is not as much as you’d think. It really was a good book, and honestly I was a little skeptical at first. I didn’t have to read it in high school so it was a new one for me. I did know before reading it that it is actually an epic poem. An epic poem is a lengthy narrative concerning a serious topic (heroic deeds or something of that nature). The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer are two more well known epic poems, I did learn upon doing some research that people are still writing epic poems today. I don't know why I thought no one wrote them anymore,I guess in the modern age of literacy where a 500 page book isn’t considered “that long” epic poems just seemed a thing of the past.

 

The book is, surprisingly enough, about a man named Beowulf. He is a heroic man with great strength, and what I love most, great character. He hears about a king and his kingdom being terrorized by the monster Grendel. Beowulf comes to fight Grendel and help the downcast king. Beowulf wins that fight but must then fight Grendel’s mother who is seeking revenge for her murdered son. It’s pretty intense, but in a good way.

 

This is a really old story and a narrative at that so the author didn’t go really deep into description or deep dialogue. I imagine this story being told in a giant longhouse, late at night, while everyone was eating around a giant bonfire. I wish I could hear this tale like that. To have it told to me instead of reading it. I bet that would be so cool! Since I’m homeschooling maybe we’ll have a Viking night and do that. We’ll all take turns reading and we’ll eat “Viking” food. Wow sorry I got really off topic there planning future fun things to do with my kiddos. A lot happens in this book, but it’s not modern literature so just remember that when reading it, and don't be disappointed when there isn't ushy-gushy romance scenes or highly detailed narrative. It really is written like someone dictating a story being told. It's awesome. :)

 

I would recommend it though because I had a great time reading it! And just so you know the  movie is pretty good, the one I have linked is an animated version from 2007 but there have been other movies made about Beowulf before that.


"The failure to read good books both enfeebles the vision and strengthens our most fatal tendency-- the belief that the here and now is all there is." -Allan Bloom

"October Baby"

266 pages
Written by Eric Wilson and Theresa Preston

Overall grade: B

This was truly a powerful story. Based on real life events, the book depicts a young girl named Hannah’s struggles to discover who she is and where she belongs. This is made even more difficult when at the age of 18 she learns she was adopted after a failed abortion. With the help of a lifelong friend she goes on a journey to meet her birth mother.

This story of redemption and forgiveness is profound. It’s not the longest book you’ll ever read, but the emotion and depth was surprising. I imagine all stories of adoption are layered with hurts, disappointments, and frustrations more complex than the average person can comprehend. But the authors wrote very well and the story was very accessible. Most of the conflict was in the character’s head and they fleshed out all her thoughts and concerns very well. It was very insightful, not only into her struggles but also her adopted father’s struggles and the mental anguish of her birth mother.

I know abortion is a subject that before now has rarely been talked about. I think that’s sad. In 2008 approximately 1.21 million abortions were performed in the United States. That is potentially 1.21 million women who are choosing to end a pregnancy for a variety of reasons. Regardless of where you stand on the issue that is a lot of women. That’s 4-times as many men that are diagnosed and diagnosed and die from prostate cancer. And how much have you heard recently about the importance of men getting checked for that?

Abortion is in the news even more in the last several weeks as we’ve heard the story of the abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell. I know you’re initial response to hearing about this case will be to turn your head and say “I don’t want to know the details”, but I implore you to read what this man has done and become informed. This stuff is happening everyday! And burying your head in the sand while trying to avoid hearing bad news didn’t work before WW2 and it shouldn’t work now that the atrocities are happening on our own shores.

Ultimately this story is about healing, forgiveness, and finding where you’re truth worth comes from. I would highly recommend this book and now that I’ve read it I plan on watching the movie. I hope you all enjoy the book as much as I did!

 

"Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends. " -Dawn Adams