Set in contemporary suburban America, this retelling of Beowulf holds a cracked and questioning mirror up to the original, shifting its focus to a study of motherhood, otherness, PTSD and what makes us monsters. A knowledge of the Old English original isn't necessary to be immersed in this propulsively engaging read, but may add additional layers of meaning. Rampaging with bloodlust fury and maternal protection, this read is as tender as a blade.
She runs her tongue over her teeth as she walks out the door, and feels an edge, something needing to be filed down before she bites her tongue. Dentist. Manicure. Makeup. Hair salon. She tastes blood, swallows it, pops a mint into her mouth. Small repairs. There's no woman alive who hasn't found the occasional hole in heaven, and carefully, meticulously, covered it back up.
