Content levels
Trigger warnings
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Synopsis
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."
Is Grendel appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This philosophical retelling of Beowulf from the monster's perspective contains strong violence (battles, deaths, war), existential darkness, and mature themes about nihilism and the nature of evil. The frequently banned literary work includes disturbing imagery and morally complex content.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, mild sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include death, mass death, and violence (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens who love questioning traditional stories and exploring dark philosophical ideas will find this monster's perspective fascinating and thought-provoking.