Review - The Saga of Beowulf by R. Scot Johns

The Saga of Beowulf

by: R. Scot Johns

Paperback: 640 pages
Publisher: Fantasy Castle Books (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982153805
ISBN-13: 978-0982153802
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.8 inches

I can only imagine the amount of time and unending work the author, R. Scot Johns put into researching and bringing his epic journey of Beowulf alive. This is no small book and no small story. The Saga of Beowulf is rich with character and plot. The story of Beowulf unfolds in a way that brings the reader right along, every step of the way.

Mr. Johns has done a marvelous job with his novelization of the ancient poem of Beowulf, originally written by an unknown source. In all honesty, I have never read the poem, nor knew much of anything about Beowulf. This book quickly changed that and in a most delightful way. What I found incredibly helpful was the Glossary of Proper Names that appears in the last pages of the book. It was a wonderful tool to aid me in figuring out the pronunciation of the abundant names within that story, as well as help me keep track of who was who, if I steered a bit off track.

Never one for ancient stories and those of fantasy (not to mention of epic length), I am finding that to no longer be the case. I really enjoyed the riveting tale that unfolded within the pages of The Saga of Beowulf - the battles among clans and mythic creatures were engrossing - if not a bit graphic. Here is one such passage found on page 33:

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" "Wiglaf!" Svein yelled helplessly as the Serpent unexpectedly shook its head from side to side, violently tearing the mast and ropes from out of Wiglaf's hands, leaving the young boy standing undefended on the deck.

Frozen in his tracks, Wiglaf's eyes went wide with fright as the gaping mouth bore down on him. Rows of razor-sharpened teeth gaped wide to accept their feast, oozing blood and drool from wide-spread jaws. The crew scattered as the great head slammed into the deck, swallowing Wiglaf where he stood.

The Geatmen gaped in disbelief as Beowulf leapt down from the rail, hefting his father's sword with satisfaction, its blade now stained a sickly green with the Serpent's steaming blood. Wiglaf's head popped out from the severed neck, his kicking feet yet protruding from the Serpent's mouth.

The men let out a disbelieving laugh, fraught with wonder and astonishment, cheering with elation as they rushed to Wiglaf's side. Svein and Hondscio helped to free the gasping boy from the monstrous jawes that had devoured him.

" Blech!" said Wiglaf, shaking his saliva-covered head. "Eaten by a Sea-Serpent!" "

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I believe that The Saga of Beowulf is a story that will be enjoyed from an extensive audience - male, female, young, old and everyone in between. The writing and characters come to life upon the pages, as Mr. Johns pens an unforgettable journey of a man who becomes known to all. A difficult journey fraught with battles, death and hardship - but a journey that must be traveled.

I recommend The Saga of Beowulf to anyone looking for an engrossing story that they can really sink their teeth into. This is one that I hope to reread again in the future and to share with my children when they are older. I wanted to also mention that the cover art is fantastic and really captures the essence of the story.

*overall rating 4/5

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About The Saga of Beowulf:

The Saga of Beowulf is the first complete and accurate novelization of the epic Old English poem Beowulf, chronicling the tragic wars of the rising Nordic nations, the endless blood-feuds of their clans, battles with mythic creatures in an ancient heroic age, and the final, futile struggle of one man against the will of Fate that made of him a Legend.

The story follows the young Norse warrior Beowulf as he embarks upon a fateful quest for vengeance against the creature that slew his father, setting in motion a sequence of events that will bring about the downfall of a nation, all the while fleeing from the woman he has sworn to love. Based on extensive historical research and steeped in Nordic myth and lore, the saga unfolds across the frozen fields of Sweden and the fetid fens of Denmark, ranging from the rocky heights of Geatland to the sprawling battlefields of ancient France, as our hero battles men and demons in a quest to conquer his own fears."

An epic adventure 1500 years in the making," this classic tale now comes to life once more in a bold new retelling for a modern audience.

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Excerpt:

To the Unknown Poet...

Late in the third year of King Hrothgar's reign the Great Hall of Heorot was completed at Lejre, and there was much joy in the land of the Danes. Denmark was then new-born, and only recently had the Scylding clan founded by Hrothgar's far-father Sceaf risen to prominence in the rugged lands between the wild North Sea and the dark Baltic. The year was 503 and that joy was to be short-lived.

At that time the Danes had not yet spread across the Jutland peninsula which would one day become their home, but still clung to the cold, hard rock known then as Sea-Land, pressed hard on all sides by the raging ocean tides. Turbulent times would mold this sturdy people into a great seafaring race, proud and strong, whose descendants would range across the far reaches of the world in search of riches and fame. Vikings they would be called, and all who saw their sails would know fear and terror.

But that time had not yet come.

Another race was on the rise at that time as well. They dwelt upon the rocky western shores of Sweden, known then as Göta-Land, the land of the Geats, for so they were called. All along those shores they made their home, beside a frigid Northern Sea that swelled and crashed upon a broad and wild land of sprawling lakes and densely wooded slopes whose jagged peaks were crowned in spires of rugged stone. They, too, were a hearty folk and mighty in those days, already a proud seaworthy people who embraced the shores and the coastal lands that looked across high waves toward the southern island realm of the war-famed Danes. Many loved and feared them, and the tales told of their deeds are filled with dread and wonder.

But their Fate was to be far different from that of the Danes, or of the Swedes who would one day devour their lands, for they were doomed to perish utterly and to fade forever from this world. Yet they would not fall easily, nor fade quietly away, and before that hard day came upon them they would mark their passing with sword and song.

None can now say what poet first wove the words which tell their tale; the poet has fallen as surely as the warriors whose bold deeds he has set down in song. But though the name has perished, still the song remains: in Valhalla it is sung, and down the far corridors its echo may yet be heard.

To read more from the Prologue, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, (click here)

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About R. Scot Johns:

R. Scot Johns is a life-long student of ancient and medieval literature, with an enduring fascination for Norse mythology and epic fantasy. He first came to Beowulf through his love of J. R. R. Tolkien, a leading scholar on the subject. As an Honors Medieval Literature major he has given lectures on such topics as the historical King Arthur and the construction of Stonehenge. He owns and operates Fantasy Castle Books, his own publishing imprint, and writes the blog Adventures of an Independent Author, where you can follow his progress as he writes The Jester’s Quest, his second novel.

*pencil sketchings by R. Scot Johns

You can visit his website at www.fantasycastlebooks.com.