Beowulf


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4 stars; 287 reviews)

This is a short but beautiful book, and the Gummere translation really captures the feel of the Old English. Beowulf tells the story of a mysterious young warrior who saves the Spear-Danes from the terrible monster Grendel and his venomous mother. Long a mainstay of English Literature 101 courses at universities around the world, it is not only one of the oldest, but one of the most exciting English folktales ever invented. (Summary by Caeristhiona) (2 hr 52 min)

Chapters

Chapter 01 16:59 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Chapter 02 18:12 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Chapter 03 13:57 Read by Karen Savage
Chapter 04 18:44 Read by Jim Mowatt
Chapter 05 26:04 Read by Peter Yearsley
Chapter 06 32:13 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Chapter 07 25:28 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Chapter 08 21:02 Read by Kirsten Ferreri

Reviews

Old English takes some getting used to


(4 stars)

The readers are great but I must admit that it takes all my concentration to understand this poetic story in Old English. It's a classic and I'm happy I listened to the whole thing though. I don't think I would ever have been able to force myself to actually read it cover to cover so I'm thankful to LibriVox..

very well read


(3.5 stars)

great greatest greater still.

English language and literature student, among everything else.


(4.5 stars)

I would like to point out the fact, that these 8 narrators, their voices, and interpreting of the poem, all of this stands firm behind my enormous motivation for studying. Thank you for giving me my needed motivation, and even studying one year of college studies up front. #inlove


(2 stars)

from the start I never got hooked by the story. a couple of the readers did fine however old English can be very difficult for some people as it was here.


(2 stars)

terrible reading. absolutely terrible. No flow whatsoever. robot would have been better.

Perfect Story, Old Recording


(3.5 stars)

I don't think anyone can really critique the story of Beowulf. The translation is better than I or any typical reader could even come close too. Beautiful and manly story. The Old English requires some dedication, and don't expect to comprehend everything on the first go around - people have been studying this epic for years! Some volunteers did a great job, others did not - it was recorded in 2006-2007 on the cheap so don't expect studio quality. It's like someone normal is just reading it to you. I would like to see an updated version, with no bird chirping in the background.

hard to follow who says what


(3 stars)

while I truly appreciate the people who give their time to read and record, this is a difficult book to do. the articulation is great but the voice fluctuation is rare and it just sounds like words being said at random. with 4 different readers or so 1 was actually good to follow.


(3 stars)

While the story isn't particularly interesting, the appeal is mostly in the details and way it is written, as such I think it is a difficult book in audiobook format and would be much better read.