BEOWULF

The dramatic story of a legendary warrior and the monsters he confronts takes a new, somewhat modern, turn in this audio performance. At first, Rosalyn Landor’s voice sounds traditional, with its clipped British accent and no-nonsense pace. However, the way she phrases the majestic syntax makes this a more accessible version of the seminal classic. The males who populate the tale are depicted with verve and confidence. She glides over descriptions—the sun is “the world’s great candle,” the sea is “the swan’s road”—and alliterative declarations—Beowulf’s companions are “hardy-hearted heroes of war”—with nary a pause. And with Landor’s distinct emphasis on subjects and verbs in each sentence, the meaning of this classroom staple comes clear, leaving space to enjoy the beauty of the words. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2011]