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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 2000)
‘Beowulf new edition to be released in U.S. NEW YORK (AP>- In the United States it’s been one of those books you had to read for English lit. But in Britain it’s hotter than Harry Potter. It’s topped the best-seller list and won the high-profile Whitbread Prize, beating out J.K. Rowling herself. So will U.S. readers catch “Beowulf” fever? This week, Farrar, Straus & Giroux is releasing a new edition of the epic Anglo-Saxon poem, written more than a thousand years ago. Translated by Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, “Beowulf” has sold more than 50,000 copies in Britain and already has reached the Top 20 on Amazon.com, virtually unheard of for a work of poetry. “We think we can have a pretty broad reach with this book,” said Laurie Brown, FSG’s vice president of marketing. “‘Beowulf’ is part of the canon, and we think there are some readers who rarely buy poetry that will find themselves inclined to buy this and give it a thorough read ing.” New translations of classics come out all the time, with the great major ity only reaching the classroom. But occasionally a book attracts general readers. A re-issue of Stendhal’s novel “The Charterhouse of Parma,” translated by the Pulitzer Prize-win ning poet Richard Howard, sold thou sands of copies last fall. A few years ago, Robert Pinsky’s translation ol “The Inferno” also sold surprisingly well. , Like literary novels or art-house movies, such publications depend on reviews and word of mouth. Publicity, too, plays a role. At year’s end, Miramax Films is expected tc release a movie adaptation. Meanwhile, the Whitbread prize brought the book some invaluable, and unusual, attention. The nine-judge panel split 5-4 last month, with supporters ol “Beowulf” exchanging insults with backers of Rowling’s “Harry Pottei and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” Biographer Anthony Holden who voted for “Beowulf,” labeled the Potter book “derivative, traditiona and not particularly well-written.” A Potter voter was heard dismissing “Beowulf” as “a boring book abou draeons.” Among those in the majority: model Jerry Hall, known to rock fans as the longtime wife of Mick Jagger. “Beowulf” is the elegiac narra tive of the adventures of a Scandinavian hero who saves the Danes from the seemingly invincible monster Grendel and later from Grendel’s mother. He returns to his own country and dies in old age in a vivid fight against a dragon. More than 3,000 lines long, the poem was believed written in England sometime between the sev enth and 10 th centuries. The author is unknown and “Beowulf” exists in only one manu script, charred by a H^-century fire and currently stored in the British Library in London. Two different U.S. publishers are using Heaney’s translation. The new “Beowulf” already appears in W.W. Norton’s latest anthology of English literature, which came out recently. Norton, whose English anthologies long have dominated the academic market, commissioned Heaney for “Beowulf” in the mid-1980s. “His translation is a wonderful achievement and event,” said John D. Niles, a professor of English at the University of California at Berkeley and director of the school’s medieval studies program. “Other professors are just as excited at this very artful rendering.” Niles also noted that some Anglo Saxon scholars look upon Heaney as an “interloper.” But he defended the Irish poet, saying that the “Beowulf” translation was a “culmination of decades and decades of engagement with the early cultures of Northwest Europe.” Heaney has admitted that he found himself as concerned with the spirit of the work as with the literal translation. He writes in the book that he didn’t always listen to ,a “Beowulf” expert, Alfred David, appointed by Norton to help him. “A1 ’s responses were informed by scholarship and by a lifetime’s expe rience of teaching the poem, so. they were invaluable,” Heaney explains. “Nevertheless, I was often reluctant to follow his advice and persisted ; many times in what we both knew : were erroneous ways.” Learn how to be a devil with all the LADIES. DAILYNEB.COM dailyneb.com because we wanna parly with you, cowboy. \ r T>M *r voice nati ]Je TlAA-CH£i: Vantage . F ** And for • ^r0^:r--e t^-eWe(lentrec 'teeient income opt(ons *^==2=?=sr= Ch°OS/ng your . 'ViM’ «* feeder-J7^,rement p'*" prowd " nM-clte Provider h simpfe ^ i f —' m BUMBMI B ’ According to DALBAR, Inc, a financial services research firm. In its most recent study, 1997Defined Contribution Excellence Ratings, TIAA-CREF was voted number one in partici pant satisfaction. TIAA-CREF Individual and Institutional Services, Inc distributes CREF certificates and interests in the TIAA Real Estate Account Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc. distributes the variable component of the personal annuities, mutual funds and tuition savings agreements.TIAA and TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Co. issue insurance and annuities. TIAA-CREF Trust Company, FS8 provides trust services. Investment products ere not FDK insured may lose value and are not bank guaranteed For more complete information on our securities products, including charges and expenses, call 1 800 842-2776, ext. 5509. for the prospectuses. Read them carefully before you invest or send money. C 2000 TIAA-CREF 1 AX). Daily Nebraska * ~ ^ _ ?if“union I j ASSTFIEDS FAX: (402) 472-1761 XJJlJL L? L/ XX i X-i X^ Ly dn@unl.edu ** __;__ - 255 Photo Equipment 320 Bridal Jw lanmng ^ I 610 Announcements 265 Stereos & TVs 338 Employment 390 Tattooing 450 Apartments for Rent 530 Summer Jobs 615Meetings 205 Bicycles 270 Ticket Exchange 340 Entertainment 395 Typing/Resumes 460 Summer Housing 540 Internships 620 Greek Affairs 210 Books 290 Vehicles 348 Hairstyling - u °k,te t*°TeiS 555 Business Opportunities 630 Student Government 213a3Sng - 350 Health/Fitness 490 Homes for Sale _ 640 Personals 216 Computer^ -” 5 / 355 Instruction/Tutoring - -—i„. 645 Lost & Found 220 Furniture —■ .... ■ .- 365 Legal Services 400 Roommates ___ 650 Wanted 230 Jewelry 300 Adoption 370 Miscellaneous 410 Housing Wanted - 660 Fundraising 240 Miscellaneous 305 Alterations/Sewing 378 Pregnancy 420 Rooms for Rent 500 Help Wanted 600 Rides 670 900 Numbers 250 Pets 310 Automotive 385Ren1ais 430 Houses for Rent 510ChildCgre603SBnngBreakTnEs______^^^_ m 200$ For sale 1997 Gateway 2000 Computer. P166, Mhz. 32MB-Ram, 15 inch monitor. HP ink-jet printer. 402-476-0290. Emerald green IBANEZ RX170EG Guitar in GREAT con dition, new Fender 100W Amp. Excellent for new gui tarists. 436-9602, ask for Cullen. HERSHEY'S VENDING ROUTE. 50 prime locations. $800-51200 solid monthly income. Cost 52995. www.vendingioutes.com 1-888-229-8283. FOR SALE: Large terrarium with tights and heat lamps for small mammals or large reptiles. Best offer. 466-0998. Ask for Jason. ‘98 Hyundai Accent. 35,000 miles. Auto, air, warranty. Excellent condition. $7400. 423-0577. 1988 Red Dodge Daytona. Excellent running w/ many new parts. $1000 OBO. CaH Scott. 484-5740. 1991 blue Ford Escort GT. Good condition and runs GREAT! $1750. 327-8420 or 441-4848. 300s Services **Couple Seeks To Adopt Newborn** We can give your baby a beautiful home and a happy, secure future. By working together we can help each other through this stressful time. All medical and legal expenses paid. Call Lynn and Bill. 1 -800-575-3590. 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