Grendel by John Champlin Gardner, Emil Antonucci (Illustrator)

Philosophical Musings at Their Best
Kevin, a reader, 01/18/2008

Reversing the heroic epic of Beowulf, this novel attacks life from the side of the monster thrown into society. Good and evil, instincts versus reason, and existential wonderings make this novel a must for everyone trying to reason out his or her meaning in life. Gardner's Grendel is an antihero of self doubt, hatred, murderous rage, vengeful, and grotesque- the reader will fall in love with him.

Also recommended: The Brothers Karamazov 1984

A reviewer
A reviewer, an AVID reader., 08/05/2006

I found this book quite confusing. But i am only in 8th grade. The only reason I read this book was because it was on my sister's summer reading list, and she is a senior in high school. Even for not understanding it, i could tell that this was an excellent book. It was very well writen. It was also nice to read a book from the villen's point of view. I've always read stories from the hero's perspective, and it was a pleasent change to read the story from the outcast's view. This book was extremly good.

Absolutly Amazing
Logan (LogGamer@msn.com), a student, 10/19/2005

I read this in my AP Literature and Composition class, and although I did not very much enjoy Beowulf, this story captured my attention immediatly. This will be going up on my chelf in a place of honor right next to my Douglas Adams collection. It is just indescribable how perfect this book is, Grendel's severe emotional issues bring to light his inner humanity, and in turn reveal the monster in each one of us. Absolutly brilliant.

EXCELLENT BOOK: wish I could give it 10 stars
Janvier (Goldwriter00@yahoo.com), an avid reader and writer, 08/13/2005

John Gardner is positively the best writer in the world. I wish he were alive today to produce more works like this. Grendel is deeply philosophical and rapturously complex in its content. John Gardner (this work in particular) has inspired me to become the writer that I am today. I will forever have nothing to say but excellent things when speaking or dissecting this brilliant work. It was awesome and I beckon you to read!

This book is awesome
Dan McKeon, 04/23/2005

I picked this book up quite by accident, as it was one of my father's old books hanging around the house. I was floored. This narrative of the Beowulf tale from the Monster's point of view is stunning. It brings you into Grendel's mind and lets you experience the raw,elemental nature of the beast. You get the sense Grendel is more than a being, but part of the very forces of nature that surround the human race. His being embodies these forces and matches them with an uncivilized mind. This creates an innocence that is fascinating, terrifying and pitiful. Grendel creates a contrast to the human being which is disturbingly unflattering for you and I . Read it and savor earth, wind and fire from the inside of a brilliant character. You'll be rooting for the monster.