Synopses & Reviews
This second part of THE BOOK OF LOST TALES includes the tale of Beneren and Luthien, Turin and the Dragon, Necklace of the Dwarves, and the Fall of Gondolin. Each tale is followed by a commentary in the form of a short essay, together with the texts of associated poems, as well as information on names and vocabulary in the earliest Elvish languages.
Review
"The three cuts in 'The Tale of the Sun and Moon,' despite summary transitions, are a scholarly (not literary) loss; but the editing overall is well done. For general readership and modern fantasy undergraduate and graduate collections, especially those that have The Silmarillion, which this foreshadows." Choice
Review
"Christopher Tolkien's meticulous and loving editing of his father's notebooks is merited...As writing, it is perhaps on the level of Macaulay's Horatius, which is not the highest praise, but still praise. As imagination, itis on an extraordinarily higher level than Macaulay achieved, because all thenetwork of allusion and emotion, for which Macaulay could rely on Virgil, Livy and the actualities of Rome and Italy, Tolkien created successfully from hisown feeling for human experience and human language." The Times Literary Supplement
Review
"One marvels anew at the depth, breadth, and persistence of J.R.R. Tolkien's labor. No one sympathetic to his aims, the invention of a secondary universe, will want to miss this chance to be present at the creation." Publishers Weekly
Review
"For the true devotee of Tolkien...The Book of Lost Tales is a treasure trove to match the hoard of the dragon Smaug himself....The pure imaginative power of J.R.R. Tolkien shines through with a light just as dazzling as that of the Two Trees....The serious student of Tolkien will find much delight in this book, and it serves as an excellent example of the creative imagination at work." Don Sakers, Baltimore Sun
Synopsis
"Tolkien devotees will no doubt rejoice. . . . Christopher Tolkien shows himself to be his father's son, delving into the question of Elvish genealogies. . . . He gives the reader histories of each character's name as it evolved in the course of Tolkien's revisions."--The New York Times Book Review This fascinating second part of The Book of Lost Tales features the tales of Beren and L thien, T rin and the Dragon, and the only full narratives of the Necklace of the Dwarves and the Fall of Gondolin. Essential reading for Middle-earth aficionados, each tale is followed by commentary from editor Christopher Tolkien. Also included is extensive information on the names and vocabulary in the earliest Elvish languages.
"The Tales will be appreciated by those who have read The Silmarillion and wish to examine how Tolkien improved his story and style from their original form, and how eventually The Lord of the Rings came to stand independently with only a few hints from the early mythology."--British Book News