Sister of Grendel

"Sister of Grendel is a marvel of storytelling, as well as a haunting miracle of reimagination of every preconception not just of Beowulf, but of the possibilities of fiction. For 1,000 years over 3,000 lines, this epic poem has been wrung through every possible interpretation except this one: Grendel, perhaps not as monstrous as legend has it, is accompanied this time by a sibling, at times his conscience, protector, apologist, critic, and even occasional victim. Astonishing in its originality, one ultimately can only repeat the final words of the fictional interlocuter that transmutes the tale: "I whispered," she says of Rehsotis, Grendel's sister, 'I will never forget you'."

-Neal Karlen, a former contributing editor for Rolling Stone, staff writer for Newsweek, and regular contributor to the New York Times. He's the author most recently of This Thing Called Life, a biography/memoir of Prince.

"Revenge, persecution, loneliness, the need for community and love and companionship, our fear of the other-all are woven in a tale that begins with an epic battle and ends with a tender moment of peace."

-Sherry Roberts, author of Crow Calling, Book of Mercy and Maud's House

"In this vividly imagined world, readers gain a new perspective on Beowulf. Through the eyes of a monster's sister, we explore the richness of an epic's margins, the nature of generosity, and what one generation owes the next."-Kim Todd, author of Sensational, The Hidden History of America's Girl Stunt Reporters

"If you like lush writing, stories of female heroism, and the fight for survival, then Susan Thurston's Sister of Grendel is the book for you."

-Judith Yates Borger, author of Where's Billie? Whose Hand? and Who Bombed the Train?

"I was especially taken by the deeply spiritual and erotic romance Thurston weaves into the narrative. The references to the foods, herbs, and plants throughout the story. . . are sumptuous details that added to the pleasurable experience of reading this novel. What a sensual feast."

-Cynthia Uhrich, award-winning filmmaker and co-author of My Life in the Purple Kingdom

"The story's layered and well-developed characters, combined with the tension, twists and sensory and poetic descriptions, hooked me from the beginning and held me to end."

-Therese Pautz, author of Raven Creek and Rain and Revelation