Today we’re going to talk a little bit about Grendel, some dragons, a vampire, and how awesome it is to be sort of getting an academic lecture from Tolkien.

Tolkien first, I think.

I recently finished reading his translation of Beowulf, and though I have read this poem several times now, I never cease to enjoy it. It’s pretty much THE Anglo-Saxon epic poem. While I wish Tolkien had maintained the alliteration that Anglo-Saxon poetry makes such beautiful use of, I found myself appreciated how closely he stuck instead to the meaning and spirit of the original words. Too often, modern translators change the fundamental meaning of the words to either suit their readers, or to satisfy the personal vision that they have for the work. And that has always left me disappointed. Now, I certainly am not fluent, and mostly unable to read Anglo-Saxon, but the little I do know allowed me to see enough to understand Tolkien’s mastery of it. This translation should have been published ages ago, so that students can have the benefit of not only his interpretation, but also his commentary. (Of course, I was lucky enough to also read Seamus Heaney’s remarkable work.)

The commentary is compiled from a series of Tolkien’s lectures, and reads as such. I’ve found myself longing to drag out my pen and notebook as I read. It feels like being in school again, in the best possible way. With the added bonus of their being no term paper to follow. One can simply enjoy the lesson for what it is. Tolkien readers in my age group will never get to attend a lecture of his, so this is indeed a gift.

For those who need a refresher: Beowulf tells the story of a hero who must face three monsters–Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and a Dragon. Each battle shows a different side to the hero, and offers up a lesson, the final one being the notion of the tragic waste of human life for the sake of material goods. Personally, I always feel like the dragon at the end rather inspired Smaug, and the bit where Bilbo steals from him and invokes his wrath.

Speaking of monster stories, today the newest installment in Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles is at last being released. Prince Lestat features everyone’s favorite bad boy vampire, in what can be considered a sequel to Queen of the Damned. I spent a good portion of my teenage years reading of Lestat’s adventures, and I am eager to once more take up the narrative. Of course, budget constraints will probably force me to wait for the paperback!

Also released today is George R. R. Martin’s The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and The Game of Thrones. Let there be no illusions between us, dear reader: I have been salivating over the release of this book. Since I am waiting for the next installment in the ASOIAF series, I and pretty much everyone else on the internet, have been forming theories as to what will happen next. I’ve also been wishing that I knew more of what happened before King Robert came to Winterfell and everything began to spiral out of control. Perhaps by learning what came before, we will have a better idea of what might be to come.

Also, I really want to know if R+L=J. Because I for one think it really, really does. Those who have also read the books will know about this particular conspiracy.

Just in time for Halloween, it looks as if we have indeed been given some treats!

And on that note, A Happiest of Halloweens to all my readers.