‘Beowulf’ is the FF Book Club selection for August 25
Fri, Aug 25 2023, 2pm
The Fourth Friday Book Club recently read the Epic of Gilgamesh translation by Stephen Mitchell. Gilgamesh is the oldest surviving work of world literature. Next up, for our August 25 meeting, is Beowulf.
Beowulf is one of the only Old English works to survive. The author(s) of the poem are believed to be Anglo-Saxon; identities are not known. The surviving manuscript probably dates from either the late 10th century CE or the early 11th century CE; however, the poem is believed to have passed through centuries of oral tradition.
Like many great epic myths, this is a powerful story of the life journey of the heroic protagonist Beowulf, from young warrior to his later years as the king of the Geats. He is the unwavering person of integrity, heroism, and honor.
Beowulf is worth reading for a study of the norms and traditions of the Anglo-Saxons in the medieval period, the precursor of modern English. Not surprisingly, themes and Beowulf citations are to be found everywhere. Everywhere! Here are just two examples:
“Leadership Lessons from Beowulf” by Tom Post, published in Forbes in 1999.
“Lessons in Manliness from Beowulf” by Andrew Ratelle, first published in artofmanliness.com in 2010.
The Seamus Heaney version of Beowulf is available in the library and at thriftbooks.com, both as an eBook and an audio version read by Seamus Heaney, himself.
Please email Dorothy Marden or Margaret Catambay if you have questions or for the link to join the discussion via Zoom on Friday, July 14. All UMRA members are welcome!
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.