Beowulf. A Verse Translation. Illustrated Becca Thorn. London: The Folio Society, 2010. First Edition Thus. Pp 218. Quarter morocco with title lettered in gilt to spine, decorative Celtic design to cloth boards, housed in publisher’s slipcase. A fine copy.

Seamus Heaney’s Beowulf is a celebrated rendition of the Old English epic poem, bringing the ancient tale to life with Heaney’s lyrical and accessible modern English. Praised for its poetic vigour and fidelity to the original, Heaney’s translation captures the grandeur of Beowulf’s battles, the depth of its characters, and the timeless themes of heroism, mortality, and fate.

Published by The Folio Society in 2010, this edition is enriched by the evocative illustrations of Becca Thorne, which complement the text’s dramatic and heroic tone. 

This beautifully crafted edition is a treasure for both literary enthusiasts and newcomers to the epic.