I first read this book in the late 1970’s and loved it then. Who shapes society? The Poets - who lie? Or the monsters - who by being "evil" teach men how to be "Good". It's a advanced seminar in Existential Philosophy wrapped up in breathtakingly beautiful poetry, asking questions that are still valid and still important. (Free will? Or pre-destination? You decide). There is a curmudgeonly and know-it-all dragon, who pokes holes in all of Grendel's illusions, and Beowulf himself, who shows up late in the book to carry out his assigned role in the history. The Thane's government, seen as wise and merciful, is just the way that the rich and powerful STAY rich and powerful. He sees the world as a place of random violence and greed and lust and savagery. The Shaper - the King's blind harper - sings of a world of noble warriors and a benevolent God. He wants to fit in, He wants to understand. Grendel is an articulate monster, curious about life and art and his role as "Brute Extant" and mead hall wrecker. If you think you know who is the hero here, keep reading. Grendel by John Gardner takes the Beowulf story that some of us read in high school and turns it on its head.
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