One of my favorite books is John Gardner’s 1971 novel Grendel, a reimagining of part of the epic poem “Beowulf” told from the perspective of its antagonist, the monster of the title. From the beginning Grendel comes off as sort of a petulent teenager who—when not attacking King Hrothgar’s mead hall (where he kills and eats men, occasionally bringing one home for his mother’s meal), chatting with a dragon about existential nihilism, or kidnapping Queen Wealtheow (whom he has something of a crush on)—explores the nature of good and evil and otherwise tries to find some meaning in the world. All before, of course, having a fatal wrestling match with the hero Beowulf. By turns philosophical, morose, and funny, Grendel is not exactly the horrific creature we’ve come to know from the poem they taught us in English Literature Class (well, ok, actually he is still pretty horrific) or through all the great artwork that’s featured him over the years.
There have been a number of movies based on the story…none of which I particularly liked. But recently the Jim Henson Company announced they’re working on a live-action film adaptation starring Jeff Bridges as the monster and Dave Bautista as the hero and I have to say I’m cautiously optimistic. So since it’ll be awhile until the new movie is done and in the theaters, I thought I’d take a few minutes this morning to post some of my favorite Grendel/Beowulf art—beginning with Rockwell Kent’s depiction of the victorious warrior and his trophy above.
Above: Michael Leonard’s cover for the Ballantine paperback.
Above: Mark Penberthy’s cover for a 1988 edition from Vintage.
Above: I shared Justen Gerard‘s painting in a post back in 2015. I loved it then, I love it just as much now and have to show it again.
Above: A stunning interpretation of the penultimate battle by the inimitable Paul Bonner.
Above: A decidedly different—and beautiful—interpretation of Beowulf’s fight with Grendel by the wonderful Yoann Lossel.
Above: A moody Grendel approaching the mead hall by Johan Egerkrans. Johan wrote that he was partly inspired by Frank Frazetta’s “Night Stalker” painting for his interpretation.
Above: A haunting but sadly unfinished student film adaptation by E Lo.
Above: An excerpt from the 1981 Australian animated film designed and directed by Alexander Stitt, Grendel Grendel Grendel. Peter Ustinov provides the monster’s voice.
One of my earliest artistic inspirations was the “My Book House” collection by Olive Beaupré Miller. I was too young to read (2 or 3, based on photos), but my mom took pictures of me sitting and staring at those books. Sleeping with them too. She said I’d look at them for hours. Some of my earliest memories are of the illustrations in those books, and the earliest stories the ones collected therein.
Volume 10, “From the Tower Window” tells the story “How Beowulf Delivered Heorot” featured illustrations by Donn P. Crane and the one that endless fascinated me was of Beowulf grappling with Grendel. Those books are no longer published but are still available on resale markets. The illustrations within were updated occasionally, across the years. The 12-volume set starts with nursery rhymes in the first and has a folk tales, legends, mythology, and even history from all around the world, with annotations about their origins. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Loved, Loved, LOVE those books. Wonderful covers, including a couple by NC Wyeth. Of the interior artists, Crane was by far my favorite illustrator contributing work in legendary and fantastic settings. Harrowgate Elementary will forever haunt my dreams for stealing my volume 9 (The Treasure Chest). Seriously. I have dreams to this day of discovering that missing volume in a used book store.
But that’s the rabbit hole your post sent me down. The original reason I wanted to respond was to provide a link to one of my favorite songs from the British Prog-Rock band Marillion. The band was also inspired by Gardner’s take on Grendel, and composed a 17-minute song that my collegiate friends and I really enjoyed. Not everyone’s cup of tea, I’m sure, but it connected for us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2jb2B-H27c
Thanks, Thomas! I’ve never seen those books but now want to hunt them down.
Interesting about Marillion’s song (and I’m half surprised Rick Wakeman never did an adaptation of the poem). An American rock band I’d never heard of, Sunny Day Real Estate, apparently recorded a song (“Grendel”) for their 1994 album, “Diary,” and I’ve read that the Los Angeles Opera even did an adaptation of Gardner’s novel in 2006 that played later that year in NYC.
Gardner was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 49 in 1982: I wonder what he would have made of all the attention his book continues to receive?
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