Grendel

By: John Gardner

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

World renowned critic John Gardner has received prestigious awards for his wide range of literary achievements, including short stories, novels, and essays. When he turns his talents to retelling "Beowulf", the earliest epic in British literature, the result is a work that combines extensive knowledge with a marvelous strain of pure fun.

In Gardner's version of the epic, instead of lauding the helmeted hero, Beowulf, the spotlight shines on Grendel, a beast whose grotesque body and blood thirst condemn him to the life of an outlaw. Grendel is a horrible monster who greedily gobbles up warriors in the Danish mead hall guarded by Beowulf. But within Grendel lurks a soul that delights in dark humor, dramatic pirouettes, and pranks. Both young adult and adult listeners will revel in this powerful complement to a classic tale.

George Guidall's narration captures a surreal landscape that shimmers on the other side of the original epic's heroic mirror. What we see is that there's a little bit of Grendel living is each of us.

©1971 John Gardner (P)1997 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"George Guidall masterfully impersonates the grumbling momma's boy with deliciously sly humor and mock-tragic grandeur. Without ever striking a false note, he maintains throughout such a perfect balance of crudity and poetry that we laugh, cringe and weep all at once." ( AudioFile)

Great story

It was nice to hear Grendel's side of the story, he is not all what you think he is. I recommend this book to everyone.

A great novel brought to life

I loved this book when I first read it many years ago, and it has been delightful to have George Guidall bring it thrillingly to life.

classic in it's own way

as you can see I've been on a bit of a Beowulf stint and always enjoyed this one from way back. Gardner is a fine writer who worked a lot with mythic/classic stories and elements and there is more depth regarding his structure and philosophical ponderings than I certainly realized at first. I like much of what he attempted here, though I have not yet sorted it all out regarding the zodiacal significance and all his philosophical elements and I plan to keep studying it.

I do think that from a "purist" angle some of the language is anachronistically modern and takes you out of the story and time period, but on the other hand he is experimenting with an existentialist monster so I have to let it go.

there is some very nice writing and imagery and I would like to see the film made of this to see what they did.

I don't mind Guidall though I do try to avoid him & I am a little prejudiced toward his readings partially due to running across him so often with Recorded Books years ago; it is hard to not pick up on verbal quirks thru saturated exposure. Though this is before he got too heavily into some irritating habits. When he gets too heavily into the whispery, drawn out, overly dramatic ending to every sentence I cringe; I can not tolerate his Frankenstein reading. Rudnicki has some similar quirks.

Pure delight

Despite bottomless nihilism, Grendel's reflections are challenging, earnest & hysterical. Gardener's prose captures & bedazzles Grendel's observer's torment frustration speaks to human presumptuousness--esp our dogged clinging to alleged beliefs & principles. Grendel despises our reinvention of truth thru the ages via poetry, narrative & song -- in his view, little more than illusion -- in shaping fictive histories, destinies that justify our desires & meet our longing for greater purpose & meaning.

Great narration drives this book

John Gardner delivers some incredibly high brow dialogue throughout this anti-hero epic while his characters struggle with defining themselves against one other and the perpetual forward moving life they all share. The narration sells this plot.

Hidden messages about life

It was a good book I really like the perspective it gives and also the philosophies that are hidden in each chapter. I also like the voice of the narrator it's very fitting for Grendel. I really enjoyed this book and it has an ending one would expect but not expect the same time.

Poor Grendel’s had an accident.

One of my all-time favorite novels. An underrated classic and an invaluable commentary on the human condition. A philosopher’s parody of Beowulf and nihilism.

Great Narrator, Mediocre Story

Grendel is a whiny man baby who lives with his mother, whom he despises. Wah wah (as he would say). He philosophizes, but not very interestingly. The narration, however, was excellent and made the audiobook worth the time spent listening.

A must read for fans Beowulf.

This book made me contemplate my own morality, and what it means to be human. As the tale progressed I truly identified with the monster Grendel.

It was extremely well written, and contains many small references to the ancient tale of Beowulf beyond the obvious characters and locations. The author seems to have had a working knowledge of the actual ancient culture depicted in the original tale.

The narration was impeccable. The author gave the story a gruff tone which resonated well with the nature of the tale.

Great fun

Best conversation with a dragon since The Hobbit, and the chat with the priests around the ring of gods was reminiscent of the charm of Terry Pratchett. Some gruesome passages, and the light hearted banter of evil is never dull, filled with memorable lines and great pacing.