Beowulf

By: Seamus Heaney

Narrated by: Seamus Heaney

Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Translated and read by Seamus Heaney.

New York Times best seller and Whitebread Book of the Year, Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney's new translation of Beowulf comes to life in this gripping audio. Heaney's performance reminds us that Beowulf, written near the turn of another millennium, was intended to be heard not read.

Composed toward the end of the first millennium of our era, Beowulf is the elegiac narrative of the adventures of Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero who saves the Danes from the seemingly invincible monster Grendel and, later, from Grendel's mother. He then returns to his own country and lives to old age before dying in a vivid fight against a dragon.

The poem is about encountering the monstrous, defeating it, and then having to live on in the exhausted aftermath. In the contours of this story, at once remote and uncannily familiar at the end of the twentieth century, Seamus Heaney finds a resonance that summons power to the poetry from deep beneath its surface.

©2000 Seamus Heaney (P)2000 Penguin Books Ltd., by arrangement with the BBC. Published by arrangement with W. W. Norton.

Critic reviews

"The classic eighth-century English poem is strikingly presented, making accessible the story of a young man's heroic journey to find and slay two monsters." (Publishers Weekly)

Fantastic Story, Fantastic Performance

This is one of the best stories I've read in my life. In a time where ambiguity reigns, it is refreshing to read a story with clear monsters that must be destroyed. Excellent performance by the translator himself!

Wow Beowulf wow

Captivating exciting a triller nice very enjoyable,it offer incentive, support and peace of mind 👍

Epic narration

This timeless tale of tireless travails truly trumpets the trifold triumphs of Beowulf the Bold.

Feels very authentic with Seamus reading his own translation

I have the book by Seamus Heaney as well. And of course I absolutely love this poem and the story. However one big complaint is that this audio version is abridged and doesn’t mention that fact. One big omission is the swim match against Breca which is one of my favorite parts. Too bad because it really speaks to Beowulf’s strength and endurance.

Stirring and compelling

So grateful for the opportunity to listen to Seamus read his powerful translation of this epic poem. His voice brings to our ears the music of the language and the grandeur, heroism, and high ideals of these long ago people. This recording is a treasure to rival the dragon’s golden hoard!

Old English heroes

Outstanding performance by Seamus Heaney. I could listen to this book over and over again.

Seamus Heaney Breathes new life into an old fable.

This version is abridged but better than other unabridged versions. Seamus Heaney seems to have translated this story into modern English, not Old English like all other versions. This means that it is less poetic but very easy to understand. The result is an easier to follow story that has been whittled down to the essential core. Seamus Heaney as an author is excellent. He has an accent that makes this old Germanic tale feel authentic.
Simply put get this version. You will not regret it.

Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

This is one of the most magnificent books I've ever read. The text can be somewhat confusing so this audio version proved extremely helpful. I highly recommend this audio version and translation.

it's a good story and it's short

Great for a car ride that's inconveniently long. I liked it and the performance is good.

Wonderful translation

This is a wonderful translation of Beowulf, keeping it in the original poem format, full of the kennings and alliterations that are so classic of old English poetry. Well read by the translator.