Grendel

Rating:
Summary: Great the first time through, and even better the second.
Review: Clever, touching, creative, and thought-provoking, _Grendel_ is a work of art that, through the perspective of a naive monster, comments on the hypocrisy and anthropocentric nature of humans. John Gardner's mastery of creative fiction writing is evident in every word of this book. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: An intersting take on a timeless classic
Review: Don't be misled by the fact that the main character is a monster, "Grendel" is not a book that is solely about some savage beast terrorizing innocent villagers (though it has that too), it is rather a look at a previously untold view of the famous Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, the viewpoint of the epic's main monster, Grendel. Rather than the mindless devourer of "Beowulf", the Grendel we are treated to here has thoughts, feelings, and emotions, many of them oneswe as human beings can identify with. Grendel is painted as a lonely monster struggling with his identity and his meaning in a meaningless world, his smallest and most insignificant thoughts painted with incredible detail, which is the book's biggest failing; the detail which seems so rich and thoughtful at one moment seems cumbersome and pointless the next, it can almost feels forced. Furthermore, one identifies and feels sorry for Grendel right up until the point when he decides to slit the throat of some innocent guard or kill a few people in their sleep. Furthermore, if one is looking at this book, remember two things; first of all, it is not a child's fairy tale, it contains graphic depictions of violence and abstract language. Second, the writing styles of this book and the original epic couldn't be more different, so it isn't a sequel or prequel of the older book, and one will fail to enjoy it if one considers it as such. Otherwise, "Grendel" is an interesting short book that takes a vastly different take on an old classic, but should be enjoyed and evaluated by itself.

Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: Grendel is a wonderful novel written by John Gardner. It takes on a point of view of the monster Grendel from the Beowulf epic. It starts before Grendel meets man and tells the relationship between Grendel, men, and nature. There is a lot of symbolism of our flaws in our everyday lives, religion, and communication. This is a good novel for anyone who is ever having questions about life and what we represent in life.

Rating:
Summary: surprisingly meaningful
Review: Grendel is the retelling of Beowulf from the monster's point of view. This allows the reader to observe Hrothgar and his kingdom from a more objective point of view. The story of Grendel is seamlessly woven into the version of Beowulf we already know and the author makes connections that allow us to see the original story in a new light. The author does an excellent job of taking us inside the mind of the monster and we become aware of his intense, human-like emotions and thoughts. We, along with Grendel, also try to comprehend the motives and values of the humans being observed. Grendel is different from Beowulf in the sense that it goes a lot deeper and searches for an answer to some of life's timeless questions regarding faith and one's effect on the world.
Grendel is not difficult to get through, but it takes some effort to really understand. This book is artfully written and requires a good amount of examination in order to fully appreciate it. The author drops many subtle images and metaphors, which add additional meaning to the overall picture. This is really a marvelous book and it provides insight into a broad range of such timeless ideas that I would recommend it to nearly anyone.


Rating:
Summary: i heart grendel
Review: Grendel is the story of Beowolf from Grendels point of view. I enjoyed the story from the first sentence to the last. The main theme of the story was communication and john gardner brings up some very interesting points. The novel is an easy read and almost anyone could get some sort of understanding from it but in order to truly understand it takes some well thought out analization and pondering. anyone who has ever felt alone and scared in a world filled with people will form an almost instant bond with "the monster". The novel does a great job conveying the emotions and pictures in the story. I would recomend this book to anyone who has ever had questions about life and it's meaning.

Rating:
Summary: WOO GRENDEL WOO!
Review: Grendel was an excellent book. It is the epic story of Beowulf from the monsters point of view. John Gardner uses very descriptive scenes that make it very easy to picture the many actions and emotions grendel is going through. It can be read again and again. Each time getting a different meaning and purpose out of the text. You are able to truly connect to Grendel throughout his struggle to find himself, as well as, his place in the world. Grendel discovers the many questions that arise when one is faced with the challenges of faith and communication with others. Grendel seems to be on a quest of the meaning of being.

Rating:
Summary: wow... just wow.
Review: John Gardner's _Grendel_ is an amazing book and one of the most engaging, confusing, difficult and beautiful books of our time. It is a fantastic fusion of elements of nihilism and Taoism, faith and disillusionment. This story follows the original antagonist of the classic epic _Beowulf_ through his struggles to find meaning and to decide whether he is willing to live in a world where meaning must come from within. The literary style blends seamlessly with the content of the story; seemingly fragmented and convoluted but with a subtly powerful cohesiveness. When I finished this book I felt as if I had awoken from a gripping dream: exhausted but exhilarated and full of questions I could only make half-conscious. If Dostoevsky, Salinger and Lao Tzu wrote a book together, this would be it. I cannot recommend it too highly.

Rating:
Summary: Grendel forever!
Review: Like OMG Grendel takes my breath away! I was forced to read it by my english teacher but WOW it changed my life. I realize that life now has meaning. I was so inspired by the book that I have decided to devote the rest of my life to making an accurate depiction of the book by film. I have just decided that the starring role of Grendel is going to be played by up and coming actress,Brianna Grinnell. Please see the movie when it comes out and LONG LIVE GRENDEL!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing.
Review: The novel Grendel by John Gardner is an amazing tale. Impressing and intelligent, Melancholy and enchanting, this book is definitely worth 5+ stars. I am a big fantasy reader and this kept me at the edge of my seat at all times. A fast and spectacular read. It is incredibly interesting how Gardner underlined his novel using the signs of the zodiac, every chapter represented by the corresponding zodiac sign. The world and characters Gardner creates are very unique and the poetry contained in the book is incredible. I suggest the read of this book to anybody. It does take some thinking to go through some chapters, but anyone could do it. Buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: Reality is a Function of My Eyeblinks
Review: There is little to say about this book (my second reading), which hasn't been said, except that its author's tracing of a philosophical development runs the gamut from Kant to Augustine (in the book's chronology, that is). It concerns human beings, and is based upon the Promethian premise, but at a meaningful reduction: Prometheus suffers because the gods have rejected him; Grendel suffers because humans have rejected him. The premise necessarily suggests hope for the human race, whilst the monster's nihilism protests too much. I especially loved the description of Beowulf, and that hero's visual hypnotic effect upon the monster. And the fight scene wherein Beowulf demands that the monster sing of walls. Chaos being bent to order. This is great stuff. In its own way, this is a better book than many of the other greats published in this century: it can be read at so many levels. I first read it in junior high school, and loved the story of the monster and his mother and the enigmatic hero Beowulf with shoulders rippling with horse-like muscles.