Review

Maria Dahwana Headley's new, modern translation of Beowulf renders it accessible and deeply human

By Mark Thomas
February 13 2021 - 12:00am
Maria Dahwana Headley, wrestling "a living text in a dead language". Picture: Supplied
Maria Dahwana Headley, wrestling "a living text in a dead language". Picture: Supplied
  • Beowulf, translated by Maria Dahwana Headley. Scribe, $27.99.

For zip, fizz and bite - all non-"literary" qualities - this new translation of the oldest book in English is hard to beat.