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WesternWave0_0 t1_j78i4ej wrote

Reply to comment by Willowrosephoenix in [WP] The peaceful dragon had been pushed one time too many. Someone was about to discover that "peaceful" did not mean "harmless". by quazerflame

I wrote an alternative to Chapter Five of the 1971 political satire novel "Grendel", by John Gardner. This book takes the source material of the earliest and most well-known ancient Epic poem Beowulf, and puts an era-relative (the 1960s) philosophical narrative and political satire theme over the narration of the originally unspoken antagonist, Grendel, the monster.

I recently rediscovered it from back when I read it in junior high English. I just had to include it when I heard talk of a dragon, who is likely the most philosophically influential character in the book.

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Willowrosephoenix t1_j78zub9 wrote

You’re absolutely correct I NEVER would’ve guessed and now I have a book to look up. I love historical political satire because it often has direct insights to modern era, alongside near delightfully outdated social norms, call the juxtaposition a guilty pleasure? Lol

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WesternWave0_0 t1_j795rva wrote

Believe me, it's pretty good. t I would suggest you read the novelization of the poem first and then read Gardner's novel, if you haven't read it already, that is. that's what I did all those years ago. But the newer satire really makes a hilarious and thoughtful twist on the source material, and you'd not even get half the story if you didn't know the story of Beowulf first. So whenever you decide to get to it, take them both with some pleasure, it's not disappointing.

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Willowrosephoenix t1_j7962ju wrote

I read the original Beowulf at 17, so I might need a refresher, but I know the overview. Thank you for the advice on reading order tho ☺️

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