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CM . . . .
Volume VI Number 14 . . . . March 17, 2000
Although the beginnings of the Beowulf story lie so far in the past that
it is impossible to be exact about them, scholars think it is the earliest
epic poem written in a modern language, perhaps dating back to the eighth
century. According to Welwyn Katz's notes, Beowulf was probably
sung by bards or "skalds" for at least two hundred years before it was
written down in the West Saxon language. In her version of Beowulf,
Katz has given young readers a vivid and exciting re-telling of this
ancient story. Postulating a gift-bestowing genetic "link" in the noble
Waegmunding line (one that gave Beowulf the strength of thirty men and his
kinsman Aelfhere the gift of reading people's minds), she invests young
Wiglaf, Aelfhere's grandson, with a supernatural gift of his own. His gift
of "true seeing" entails visions of events, whether past, present or
future, which come to him unbidden. Shaken by a fourth vision involving
Beowulf, the boy settles down to listen to his grandfather's recounting of
the bloody battle between Beowulf and Grendel and the ensuing slaying of
the troll's hideous mother. "Who better than his famous kinsman to train
Wiglaf to be a warrior?" thinks Aaelfhere, as he makes plans to take his
grandson to visit Beowulf's mead hall. So it is that when Beowulf resolves
to seek out and kill the dragon which has been wreaking havoc among his
people for centuries, Wiglaf is one of the honored warriors that are
allowed to accompany him, not to help him in the fight (for Beowulf is
determined to vanquish the dreaded beast alone), but "...to watch only,
just in case." In the terrible and deadly struggle between Beowulf and the
dragon that ensues, 14-year-old Wiglaf is the only one of all the warriors
who takes up his sword to fight beside the aging hero. Together, they slay
the fire-breathing Wyrm, but poison from the great beast is so deep within
Beowulf that he dies from his wounds, leaving Wiglaf, last of the noble
Waemundings, to succeed him as king.
Katz's notion of the inheritance of supernatural gifts works wonderfully
in her version of the old tale, for it enables her to tell the story
through the eyes of young Wiglaf, an endearing and courageous adolescent
not mentioned in other versions until the end of the tale. The author
recreates the story with beauty and simplicity, achieving a tone and style
reminiscent of the old Norse sagas. Bringing the drama and pathos of this
thousand year old story to life are award-winning artist Laszlo Gal's
magnificent paintings based on the art of the Vikings. Their dark but bold
colours and sinuous line provide a stunning complement to the text.
Welwyn Katz's love of mythology has been the inspiration for other
outstanding books for young people, including The Third Magic (1989
Governor General's Literary Award) and Out of the Dark (1995 Ruth
Schwarz Award). In Beowulf, Katz's faith in her young readers'
intelligence, combined with her ability to translate mythology into
gripping stories, has given middle years readers a rare chance to enjoy a
story which has echoed through literature for more than a thousand years.
No school library, elementary, junior or high school, should miss
acquiring this treasure.
Highly Recommended.
Val Nielsen is a retired teacher-librarian living in Winnipeg, MB.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - March 17, 2000.
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