Author(s): Caitlin Kiernan

Fantasy

Written between 700 and 1000AD, the anonymous 3,000 line poem is sometimes called 'England's national epic'. It recounts the story of a young Scandinavian warrior, Beowulf, who pledges to protect King Hrothgar's people from the monstrous creature Grendel that has been terrorising his kingdom. In the ensuing fight, Beowulf rips off Grendel's arm and the now-mortally wounded monster flees back to his home beneath a mysterious lake. But Beowulf's work is not yet done: an even greater threat emerges from beneath the waters, Grendel's mother, bent on avenging the death of her son...One of the great works of English literature, this classic tale of heroism and sacrifice has now been transformed into a remarkable film. Directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary, Warner Bros. "Beowulf" boasts a phenomenal cast, including Ray Winstone, John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie. Employing cutting-edge technologies and dazzling special effects, this ambitious, dark, exciting film reimagines the story for the 21st century and a new generation. Opening in the UK on 30th November, the film will do for the story of "Beowulf" what '300' did for the "Battle of Thermopylae". Award-winning dark fantasist Caitlin R. Kiernan's novelisation includes an introduction by Neil Gaiman and is both the perfect companion to the film and a gripping, compelling read in its own right.