Grendel
John Gardner (Author), Emil Antonucci (Illustrator)
Grendel is a first-person account of Grendel, the creature Beowulf kills in the sixth-century epic poem Beowulf. Grendel looks like a terrifying beast, but he has highly developed cognitive skills. Throughout the novel, he debates philosophical ideas while trying to figure out exactly what and who he is. While this battle is raging inside him, Grendel is also terrorizing the Danes and their king, Hrothgar. Grendel observes humanity as it develops, and he struggles with whether or not they are a worthy of living. As Grendel grows complacent with his own life, an unknown boy comes along and strikes fear and excitement into him. This turns out to be Beowulf, and he slays Grendel in a fight. Grendel uses his last few moments debating the philosophical implications of death
Print Book, English, 1971
Alfred A. Knopf, Random House of Canada Limited, New York, Toronto, 1971