‘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.
ADOPT: A loving couple will open our hearts and home
to give your newborn a wonderful life. We offer warmth,
security, lots of love, and a bright future. Medical/Legal
expenses paid. Please call Marge and Marc,
1-800-450-4730.__
AN ANGEL TO CHERISH
If you’re faced with an unplanned pregnancy, maybe
we can help. A boy. a girl, we don’t care. Your baby
will be our dream come true. We can offer your baby a
happy, secure future. A home filled with laughter, affec
tion, and love, near beautiful parks and wonderful
schools. Please call Lynn and Bill. 1-800-575-3590.
We are easy to talk to. ALL'EXPENSES PAID.
Natural Herbal
Breast Enlargement
Safe, effective, and affordable. Please visit
www.figureplus.com, 1-888-603-9800. Distributorships
also available.
Auto Accidents & DWI
Other criminal matters, call Sanford Pollack, 476-7474.
For all your insurance needs: auto, home, health, life
and business, call Jim Wallace at American Family
Insurance, 1340 L St., Lincoln, NE 68508 or call
402-474-5077.
Free
Pregnancy Test
Birthright is a confidential helping hand. Please call foi
appointment or more information, 483-2609. Check
out our website www.birthright.org.
400s Housing
1 M/F for 3BR, 2 bath home at 1000 Claremont Street
Off-street parking. W/D, $233/month+ utilities.
438-6813._
1 M/F roommate needed for super nice apartment. 5
minute drive to campus. $275/month, 435-3391.
Females needed to share a 3BR/2BTH apartment (very
nice). Close to UNL, pod, workout room, free laundry!
For May/June. $250/month. 475-4814,
Huge, clean house, all utilities paid. Washer/dryer, cen
tral air, cable and phone. $300/month. Males preferred.
477-0227.
Looking for a place to live? www.housing101.net...
Your move off campus! Free roommate sublet listings.
One roommate needed for newer duplex in NW. 2
baths, 2 living rooms. All utilities included. $280 per
month. 770-4440,
Roommate needed. Great house at 1601 N. 29th,
$180/month. Laundry, dishwasher, central air, non
smoker, through mid-May. 477-3326.
Two M/F roommates needed. W/D, 2BR, 2 bath, 2 min
utes from campus. Call after 6pm. 435-8066.
2BR between campuses. Washer/dryer hookups, oak,
A/C, no pets, $475+. 464-4679 or 790-5017 after 4pm.
3 bedroom house on 3 acres, great for gardeners,
available now, 489-6425 or 435-6277.
1425 N. 23rd Street (23rd and Holdredge). 5BR, 2
baths, $850/month. 432-0644.
2200 Dudley, very nice 4BR, near UNL, 11/2 bath,
basement, parking, $800. 432-0644,
2301 Vine, nice 3 bedroom big 2 story, 1 1/2 bath near
UNL. parking, $675. 432-0644/
Spring Break or April 1 availability. 2BR, newly deco
rated. Central air. appliances, close to campuses,
off-street parking. $575 range. 489-5358, messages re
tumed immediately.__
We Love Students!
Great 3, 4, 5, and 6 bedroom homes near UNL. A/C,
washers, dyers, dishwashers. Reserve for summer or
fall now, and relax! 423-1535.
I 1 "H
Newer
Close to campus, nice, 3 bedroom, 3 bath, garage,
W/D, all appliances, $795. HIP, 465-6911.
n26l8Q^iew2bedroorn, all appliances, double garage
$575. Call 430-6328. _
MSunny and Cheerful!!
1 Bedroom 2000 J St. Clean
4 Bedroom, 2 baths, garage 5350
No Smokers or Pets
