The Tale of Beowulf

THE TIMELESS FANTASY AUTHOR AND THE TIMELESS CLASSIC

When J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis spoke about their fantasy roots, the name William Morris always arose as their fantasy forefather.

William Morris, of course, is the author of the classic Well at World's End, the epic fantasy is the foundation of modern High Fantasy.

William Morris was famous for more than fantasy: A true Victorian ball of creative energy, he was a master of design and other kinds of literature -- including poetry. The man was a true polymath, creating floral textiles and wallpapers, painting, creating metalwork, stained glass, jewelry, sculpture, and furniture; at one point he even metamorphosed to become a political firebrand, and published a Socialist political paper.

But these days we remember him most clearly as an author.

And this wonderful book is William Morris and A.J. Wyatt's translation of the greatest fantasy of all time, Beowulf.

Here are the greatest monsters of all time -- Grendel and Grendel's mother.

Here are the bracing words of the greatest saga.

And here is the hero of heroes, the Anglo-Saxon warrior who saved his people from the forces of cold and darkness -- Beowulf!

William Morris (1834 - 1896) was an English textile designer, poet, novelist, translator and socialist activist. Associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement, he was a major contributor to the revival of traditional British textile arts and methods of production. His literary contributions helped to establish the modern fantasy genre, while he played a significant role in propagating the early socialist movement in Britain. When J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis spoke about their fantasy roots, the name William Morris always arose as their fantasy forefather.