Beowulf and Other Stories: An Introduction to Old English, Old Icelandic and Anglo-Norman Literature

''A genuine delight, replete with wonder, creativity and magic. Written with a deep understanding of its subject, Beowulf and Other Stories will be the standard introduction to the field for many years to come.''

Toebi Newsletter

The editors are to be congratulated upon their success in arraying such an impressive field of internationally-renowned specialists, the scholarly credentials of whom, and hence of the volume to which they have contributed, are unimpeachable. It is approachable by absolute beginners, but those who read it from cover to cover will have accrued a very wide range of knowledge on a variety of material relevant to the study of Old English (and Old Norse) literature.

Dr. Richard Dance, University of Cambridge

The book is very much pitched at the right level. It is a breath of fresh air in this respect and should appeal to students taking their first proper steps in Old English/Old Norse. The challenges in teaching these subjects have to do with accessibility and with the fact that existing introductions tend to expect too much from their readers, who do not have the same background today as they would have had in the past. Old English and Old Norse studies have been off-putting for students because they find it hard to relate to them. This book enables them to do so.

Professor Hugh Magennis, Queen's University, Belfast

Richard North was made to read old English at oxford and now teaches it for a living in UCL. He would like to be known for writing fiction. Publications include Heathen Gods in old English Literature (1997), The Origins of 'Beowulf' (2006), and some poems and short stories in Undertow, the UCL English students' literary magazine. Hobbies include piano, reading the sagas and collecting students.

Joe Allard discovered Iceland almost by chance in the mid-eighties and has never looked back. He translates and publishes (mares' Nest Publishers, festival Books) contemporary Icelandic poetry and fiction. He also writes about and teaches medieval Icelandic prose and poetry. He eats shark, puffin and whale and enjoys 57% Icelandic spirits. Hobbies include piano and watching volcanoes.