Beowulf vs Grendel: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Beowulf, Epic poetry, Monsters, Adaptations, Dragons

Cover of Beowulf

Beowulf Ian Serraillier · 1954 ★★★★☆ 3.5 47 pages · ≈ 52 min · Challenging Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of Grendel

Grendel John Gardner · 1971 ★★★★☆ 3.7 174 pages · ≈ 3 h 13 m · Challenging Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.5 vs 3.7 — either is a safe pick by score.
Beowulf is the quicker read — about 1 hours vs 3 for Grendel.

Side by side