Derek Pearsall

Beowulf in Modern English Verse

Arts & Literature

“Praise for the translation: “Why read this translation of Beowulf? Because there isn’t a better one to be found.” Robert D. Stevick,† former Professor of English, University of Washington “This is indeed a very good translation, fluent and generally idiomatic, and accurate in spirit to its original without being awkwardly literal. The handling of the syntax of the original, and particularly the syntactical variation, which is such a salient and difficult feature of the poet’s style, is masterly. The naturalness of the flow of language is one of the most admirable features of the translation. The narrative, as one reads this translation, begins to exert its customary compelling hold, and one reads on for the excitement and pleasure of the story itself rather than to keep reminding oneself what a good translation it is.”

Beowulf in Parallel Texts

Arts & Literature

“The handling of the syntax of the original, and particularly the syntactical variation, which is such a salient and difficult feature of the poet’s style, is masterly. The naturalness of the flow of language is one of the most admirable features of the translation. The narrative, as one reads this translation, begins to exert its customary compelling hold, and one reads on for the excitement and pleasure of the story itself rather than to keep reminding oneself what a good translation it is.”