I was one of the rare individuals who loved Beowulf when I read it in high school literature class. We read a couple translations next to a copy of the original work.

When I read a paragraph of this new translation during a book discussion, I immediately picked up the new translation via audio.

Right now, I can't read. Since January, I've had TWO books I'd been so excited to get my hands on for nearly a year prior. I've read one chapter, total.

The introduction by the author was worth it, alone. Then ...

Listening to this version of Beowulf was like listening to contemporary music. Lots of fun, a good story, and still feels true to what I read years ago. It's well worth the 3.5 hour listen (after the 30 minute author intro which is also a good listen.) If you like your audiobooks faster, I'm not sure this is one to speed up. The rhythm and meter is important.

I highly, highly, highly recommend this story. I will be eventually reading it and there's a BBC production of it that I'm going to listen to as well.