Boys of Blur

N.D. Wilson, Random House Children’s, 2014. Audiobook read by Joffre Swait

This book is a wild ride through the swamps of Florida, We meet the protagonist, Charlie, at a funeral for a man he doesn’t know. That man, Willie Wisdom, will loom large in Charlie’s story.

Wilson’s retelling of the Beowulf tale in the a modern key offers exactly lovers of that epic poem want: the thud, the intensity, the visceral grip. But it doesn’t simply hit the emotional and narrative beats. You can tell that Wilson’s story is also influenced by the thinking in his father’s essay, “Beowulf: the unChrist.” Like a Viking culture that tore itself apart through greed, envy, and revenge, so too might this small Florida town. So, too, might any of our towns.

The only force strong enough to fight that stank is the Love that would lay down His Life for His friends.

(also, Swait’s narration is FANTASTIC.)

Stopping to Think is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willdole.substack.com/subscribe