Books like Beowulf

Beowulf by Seamus Heaney reads as epic, somber. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

The Story of Kullervo

J.R.R. Tolkien · 2015

Both explore fate & heroism

63% genome match

Aeneis

Publius Vergilius Maro · 1592

Both explore heroism & fate

72% genome match

Poema de mio Cid

Anonymous · 1868

Both explore loyalty & heroism

72% genome match

Aeneid

Vergil · 2009

Both explore fate & heroism

75% genome match

Os Lusíadas

Luís de Camões · 1572

Both explore heroism

68% genome match

Gilgamesh

Stephen Mitchell · 2004

Both explore mortality & heroism

67% genome match

The Epic of Gilgamesh

N. K. Sandars · 1960

Both explore mortality & heroism

67% genome match

Vepʻxistqaosani

Shota Rustaveli · 1888

Both explore loyalty & heroism

68% genome match

Apollonius Rhodius

Apollonius Rhodius · 1550

Both explore heroism & fate

66% genome match

Xi you ji

Wu Cheng'en · 1900

Both explore good vs evil & loyalty

63% genome match

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Simon Armitage · 2008

Same poetry feel

83% genome match

The song of Roland

Dorothy L. Sayers · 1967

Both explore loyalty

66% genome match