Grendel's Mother - Paperback

by Diana Stout (Author)

Late 5th century, early 6th century, Denmark - The only girl in a large family of boys, dreams of freedom and marrying her secret first love, a young farmer. Up until now, her life has been one of servitude. She cherishes those few moments when she's alone in the woods with him for just mere minutes. She fights her father in his decision that she wed a widower with young children. Then, a horrific event changes her life forever. Pregnant and discarded, having brought shame to her family and community, she's sacrificed to the dragon to die. Instead, the dragon saves her. So starts their life together and, yet, apart. This historical medieval tale, takes a woman from the pages of Beowulf, giving voice to her journey of societal injustice and her love of Nature that enables her to survive in the wild alone, where she gives birth and raises her child-deemed a monster-entirely on her own. From his birth, she battles to keep Grendel safe from himself and, then later, from others who would do him harm. That child is Grendel, and she is Grendel's mother.

Author Biography

Diana Stout, MFA, PhD is a screenwriter, author, former English professor, an award-winning writer of multiple genres. She considers herself a medievalist without the degrees. Her favorite movies and reading material include The Game of Thrones, Vikings, Dragonheart, and everything King Arthur. Grendel's Mother was born from the studies of Beowulf, realizing that this character had no voice. And then she became hearing the character's voice...and the story began to unfold...