Hinds, Gareth. 2007. Beowulf. Somerville: Candlewick
Press. ISBN
|
9780763630232
|
(Photo obtained from Books in Print)
Plot Summary
Beowulf by Gareth Hinds is a
retelling of the epic poem Beowulf, reinvented and wrapped up in a graphic
novel package.
Analysis
I have never been a fan of epic
poems in general. With that being said,
I have always been able to respect the morale that the Beowulf projects as
something that can be used to teach great things to our children. Hinds has taken my general distaste for the
genre and revamped it.
Hinds manages to conserve the
passionate characters, setting and style of the epic poem but provide a contemporary
back story. Illustrations further the
heroic theme of the classic while a restricted color palette maintains the dark
and powerful voice as pages are turned.
Hinds vanquishes control over the battle scenes with images sprawling
for several pages without text or dialogue because it just isn’t needed.
Graphic novels are great for
reluctant readers and are extremely popular with boys which strengthen the
heroic adaptation’s successes and make Beowulf
an important addition to classroom shelves.
Review Excerpts
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY – “For fantasy fans both young and old,
this makes an ideal introduction to a story without which the entire fantasy
genre would look very different; many scenes may be too intense for very young
readers.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “Each specific event is
complemented by illustrations that effectively convey the atmosphere-historical
details are paired with sketchy, ethereal drawings, the violent battle scenes
are darkly tinted with red, and the end of Beowulf's life is indicated by gray,
colorless imagery. Hinds's version will make this epic story available to a
whole new group of readers.”
Enrichment Activities
Books like Beowulf
The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds
King Lear by Gareth Hinds
Beowulf: Monster Slayer by Paul D. Storrie
The Iliad (Marvel Illustrated) by Roy Thomas
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