
THE COMING OF THE DRAGON, by Rebecca Barnhouse, presents the young adult reader with great adventure and realistic emotions. The events of the story take place in Geatland when Beowulf is getting to be an elderly king. After his earlier adventures, Beowulf became the kind of king you would expect him to be. He is beloved by his people, and he loves them like his children and protects them.
But this story is about a young man, called Rune, who came to Geatland by boat when just a baby (reminiscent of Moses). In the boat are items that suggest the boy’s father might have been a knight: a sword, a shield, a necklace with runic markings.
The boy is brought up on a farm, in poverty, by a strange woman. In winters, the folk gather at Beowulf’s golden-roofed mead-hall. Growing up, Rune takes sword-fighting lessons along with the other boys, but he’s not very adept.
When a dragon menaces the countryside, destroying farms (including the one where Rune’s foster mother lives) Rune has a close encounter with it; he actually sees the white spot under its belly that is the only vulnerable place on the dragon. But the dragon burns up his wooden sword. Rune takes his information to King Beowulf, and is chided by some people for not killing the dragon. Beowulf gathers his ten fittest men to go with him to put an end to the perils.
Rebecca Barnhouse focuses on the heart of medieval Scandinavian society with her emphasis on loyalty and the converse, cowardice. Rune wants to accompany the knights and avenge the death of his foster mother. But he was not one of the chosen ones. Rune is conflicted with a variety of emotions. He fears the dragon, but wants to help his king. With determination, Rune overcomes his fear of the dragon and proves his loyalty to Beowulf. He is greatly rewarded, and now goes by his true name, Wiglaf son of Weohstan (kinsman of Beowulf).
Aside from the dangers, adventures, and rough life, there is also a touch of romance, with the presence of three young ladies in the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of BEOWULF, from the point of view of the young man. Since some of the words are hard for an English speaker to know how to pronounce, I suggest you first go to the back and learn the pronunciation of some of the words.
My congratulations to Rebecca, an old friend and former member of my SCBWI group. She had put her expertise of medieval literature to good use in sharing the great English Epic with another generation of eager readers.
I purchased my copy of the book for my Kindle.