Grendel
Published in 1971, Grendel is an epic fantasy and mythic fiction poetry collection by John Gardner. The story is set in Scandinavia, in The Middle Ages. It features Grendel. Readers will find themes of Beowulf, monsters, adaptations and heroes.
Open Library readers give it an average of 4.2 out of 5 from 17 ratings, and 130 more have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 35 editions.
It runs to roughly 174 pages — 3–4 hours of reading at an average pace.
About Grendel
The first and most terrifying monster in English literature, from the great early epic Beowulf, tells his own side of the story in this frequently banned book. This classic and much lauded retelling of Beowulf follows the monster Grendel as he learns about humans and fights the war at the center of the Anglo Saxon classic epic. This is the book William Gass called "one of the finest of our contemporary fictions."
Awards & lists
- ✦Mythopoeic Awards 1972 — Mythopoeic Fantasy Award (nominee)
Quick answers
Who wrote Grendel?
Grendel was written by John Gardner and first published in 1971.
What genre is Grendel?
It is usually shelved as Epic Fantasy, Myth & Legend Fiction and Dragon Fiction.
How long is Grendel?
The median edition has 174 pages, about 3–4 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.
What books are similar to Grendel?
Readers who like it often enjoy Eaters of the Dead, The Eyes of the Dragon and The Silmarillion.
More by John Gardner
All books →
The Werewolf Trace
John Gardner
The revenge of Moriarty
John Gardner, Robin Sachs
COLD
John Gardner
Confessor
John Gardner
Freddy's Book
John Gardner
Books like Grendel
Eaters of the Dead
Michael Crichton
The Eyes of the Dragon
Stephen King
The Silmarillion
J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien
A Feast for Crows
George R. R. Martin
The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien
Novels (Congo / Eaters of the Dead / Sphere)
Michael Crichton
Beowulf
Alexander, Michael
Dragonflight
Anne McCaffrey