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Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics
J.R.R. Tolkien

Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics

Quick Answer

"Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the Standalone Scholarly, Essays, and Translations.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

âť“ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Verdict Insight: While this novella provides deeper world-building, it is a standalone story and can be read at any stage.

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197753 ppNovellaOptional Side Story
On 25 November 1936, Tolkien delivered “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics” to the British Academy, and it was published the next year in the Academy's proceedings. The essay was a redaction of lectures that Tolkien wrote between 1933 and 1936, “Beowulf and the Critics.” ([Source][1].) These editions are reprints of the [Sir Israel Gollancz][2] memorial lecture in 1936, noted in the Proceedings of the [British Academy][3], London, v. 22 (1937). Here's a [review on Medieval Forum written by Tom Sharpe][4]. [1]: http://www.sfsu.edu/~medieval/Volume5/Beowulf.html [2]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Gollancz [3]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Academy [4]: http://www.sfsu.edu/~medieval/Volume5/Beowulf.html
Next Recommended Book

Ancrene Wisse

Book #3 of 13 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Standalone Scholarly, Essays, and Translations conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics?

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Can I read Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics before other books in the series?

Yes. Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics required reading for the Standalone Scholarly, Essays, and Translations?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Beowulf. The Monsters And The Critics is Ancrene Wisse (Book #3).