Beowulf Written Originally on Vellum 



"There are several translations of Beowulf available, with various strengths.  The Seamus Heaney version, for example, is recent, very readable, and a fine poem in its own right.  Mike Walton's* is also recent and also very readable, but he has been even more careful than Heaney to stay close to the original.  Walton also manages to convey the *feel* of Anglo-Saxon poetry better than any other translator I've read.  His introduction and notes, too, are particularly clear, instructive, and a pleasure to read.  Mike Walton is not only a careful scholar; he's a born teacher."

*The Book of Beowulf, Michael Walton, 2007. Available at The Neat Little Bookshop.
~ Laurie Miller, author of The Avro Arrow, Lorimer, 2011

Image: Wikipedia



York Haldimand County

 Dreaming ~ 26 Days until Spring



Port Dover Haldimand County

 



Normandale Norfolk County



Mike Walton and Beowulf ~

A special thank-you to Mike for his presentation of the old Anglo-Saxon, epic poem Beowulf.  Mike's artifacts, visuals and discussion of a time unfamiliar to most of us, whiled away an afternoon until it was past bookshop closing time.

Mike, that was a presentation deserving of an audience of two hundred.  (We didn't entertain quite that many.)  Those of us in attendance felt priviledged and enlightened.  Thank you.
~ lbw 

Note:  Mike's first edition, book of beowulf, is available at The Neat Little Bookshop.

Tomorrow:  Comments and praise for The Book of Beowulf.

Beowulf ~

"When I began this project [translation of Beowulf ] with a leave from Mohawk College, I ran into several acquaintances who, when I began to explain what I was doing, responded, "Oh, Beowulf? ~ I just love Beowulf!"  Most of these people were not particularly scholarly or studious, and their knowledge of the poem would have come from one of the many translations presently available....  Nevertheless the poem had reached them profoundly in some way.  I believe that for many readers the poem is very moving.  It seems to me that when we speak of the meaning of the poem we actually refer to the relationship that its various readers develop with it.

"The values expressed in Beowulf are still respected in our culture, though now as then, probably, they are honoured more in the breach than the observance.  They include stoic bravery in the face of death, loyalty especially to one's kin, friends and dryhten, caring about personal reputation, generosity, a willingness to act, not just talk,and the litany of virtues attributed to Beowulf at the end of the poem."

~ Michael Walton, The book of beowulf, 2007.

Reminder:  Mike will be in The Neat L'l Bookshop today at 1:00 p.m. to discuss his translation of Beowulf.  It's informal.  Everyone welcome.

Update:  A new order of Dirty Business has arrived.  To reserve your copy please call or e-mail The Neat L'l Bookshop as below.



Destined for Cheapside Haldimand County



Dirty Business  Taking Orders ~

Coming this week another order of the book about Ontario's "Rush to Wind Power." Available at The Neat L'l Bookshop. 





  $12.99  Call or e-mail lwalker@shaw.ca for your copy or copies. 905-772-5997 or 905-577-5635.

Photos: Taken February 19, 2013 in Dunnville, Haldimand County ~ lbw

Please click on photo for larger image.

Winter in Haldimand Country

It was a beautiful family day...

Photos:  1. Mount Olivet, 2. Lake Erie

"Beowulf spoke again, uttered some boast-words
for the last time:

          "I dared many a fight in my youth;     again as an old
protector of the people,     I'll seek out conflict,
and earn some glory,     if this mankiller
will come out to me       from his earth-hall."

     Then he addressed     every man,
the bold helmet-wearers,   his close comrades,
for the last time:

          'I wouldn't be taking
a sword to the dragon,     if I knew
how else I might     with that monster
get a fighting grip,     as with Grendel before,
but here I'm expecting    hot battle-flames,
bad breath and venom;    therefore I carry
a shield and mail-shirt.     And I won't go back
one foot from the worm,   but at the mound
we two will fare    as Fate decrees,
every man's Master.' "

~ Excerpt from The book of beowulf, Michael Walton, 2007.

Note:  Mike Walton will be in The Neat L'l Bookshop on Thursday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m.  It's informal.  All are welcome.  Circle your calendar. "Coffee pot's always on..."