What Did He Write? - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

ray gower · 17th June 2002, 09:32 PM

I think this could be a forum that sorts the men from the boys!
Whilst Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit have taken off in the imaginations of the general public, helped no end by the film, Tolkiens other works are far less well known and often far heavier reading.

I have read three of them Boasting! Overall I'm glad I did so after LOTR. I would not have bothered otherwise. They are worth reading once.

The Silmarillon Is an attempt to put even more depth into the imaginary world of Middle Earth, entering the Elder days to define the rise of the dark powers of Morgorth.
The prose style tries to impersonate that of an elder time as well- full of 'It was in the third age'. Anybody that has read Mabinogion or the King James Bible (and understand them) would feel at home.
Behind the strange language there is a set of good stories.

Farmer Giles of Ham Visits two of the part characters of Middle Earth. Farmer Giles and Tom Bombadil. By Tolkien's longwinded standards the stories are actually quite light and humorous.

Tree and Leaf Coupled with Smith of Wootton Major and The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth were Tolkiens attempt at doing the Brothers Grimm. Producing Fairie stories.
Again the prose style tends to get in the way of a good story. Not recommended for kids!

Dave · 28th June 2002, 11:49 PM

Del Rey has the following book for publication during August 2002:

Book of Lost Tales 2 by J.R.R. Tolkien (F) 0-345-37522-X Paperback; 400 pp.; Cover art by Andrew Burward-Hoy; KYL editor.

I assume that means that there must be a Book of Lost Tales 1 too?

ray gower · 29th June 2002, 12:08 AM

The Book of Lost Tales is a pre-cursor to the Silmarilion.

sort of history of pre-history.

Haven't read it, personally, so can't comment

Legolas · 8th July 2002, 05:04 PM

What about The Adventures of Tom Bombadil? Or it that Farmer Giles of Ham? Confused!
:flash:

kelsi · 7th January 2003, 04:06 PM

Are you counting what Chris wrote?

Cos then there's the History of Middle Earth, which is like, 19 books long...

ewlyn · 28th March 2003, 04:35 PM

The History of Middle-earth books are actually compiled and published by Tolkien's son Christopher and range in what they contain. Some are half-finished stories, some are letters he wrote, one contains most of an early draft of parts of LOTR. They're pretty cool, but very heavy reads. Something I wouldn't suggest embarking on unless you're *really* interested in how Tolkien's mind worked and how the LOTR and The Hobbit and Middle-earth in general came to be written down. They also contains sketchs and stuff. Early maps.

The Silmarillion is actually edited by Christopher as well and published after Tolkien's death. Originally Tolkien wanted to include it as part of the appendix in RotK but then decided against it. He worked on it until his death and Christopher then took all the various drafts of each part and edited it down to what we can buy at our local bookshops today. I think he tried to put in what was consistant with The Hobbit and LOTR, even if it wasn't the most up to date draft. I believe other parts of it can be found in the History of Middle-earth books, but I haven't read all of them, so I'm not 100% certain.

Tolkien was, first and foremost, a professor. They are about to publish his translation of Beowulf along with the lecture he gave on it. I believe there are also other lectures of his and the likes which you can get your hands on if you're really inspired to search for them.

17th June 2002, 09:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Gwynedd Posts: 3,579	What Did He Write? I think this could be a forum that sorts the men from the boys! Whilst Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit have taken off in the imaginations of the general public, helped no end by the film, Tolkiens other works are far less well known and often far heavier reading. I have read three of them Boasting! Overall I'm glad I did so after LOTR. I would not have bothered otherwise. They are worth reading once. The Silmarillon Is an attempt to put even more depth into the imaginary world of Middle Earth, entering the Elder days to define the rise of the dark powers of Morgorth. The prose style tries to impersonate that of an elder time as well- full of 'It was in the third age'. Anybody that has read Mabinogion or the King James Bible (and understand them) would feel at home. Behind the strange language there is a set of good stories. Farmer Giles of Ham Visits two of the part characters of Middle Earth. Farmer Giles and Tom Bombadil. By Tolkien's longwinded standards the stories are actually quite light and humorous. Tree and Leaf Coupled with Smith of Wootton Major and The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth were Tolkiens attempt at doing the Brothers Grimm. Producing Fairie stories. Again the prose style tends to get in the way of a good story. Not recommended for kids!

28th June 2002, 11:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dave Wherever I Am, I'm There Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greater London Posts: 11,516	New Book. Del Rey has the following book for publication during August 2002: Book of Lost Tales 2 by J.R.R. Tolkien (F) 0-345-37522-X Paperback; 400 pp.; Cover art by Andrew Burward-Hoy; KYL editor. I assume that means that there must be a Book of Lost Tales 1 too?

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29th June 2002, 12:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Gwynedd Posts: 3,579	The Book of Lost Tales is a pre-cursor to the Silmarilion. sort of history of pre-history. Haven't read it, personally, so can't comment

8th July 2002, 05:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Legolas something more magical Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: In a giant Oak tree in a forest not too far away... Posts: 3,970	What about The Adventures of Tom Bombadil? Or it that Farmer Giles of Ham? Confused! :flash:

7th January 2003, 04:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
kelsi Expert Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sitting in front of my computer, at home, on Chulak. Posts: 1,411	Are you counting what Chris wrote? Cos then there's the History of Middle Earth, which is like, 19 books long...

28th March 2003, 04:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
ewlyn Proud Ringer & HCNB Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ascot, England Posts: 498	The History of Middle-earth books are actually compiled and published by Tolkien's son Christopher and range in what they contain. Some are half-finished stories, some are letters he wrote, one contains most of an early draft of parts of LOTR. They're pretty cool, but very heavy reads. Something I wouldn't suggest embarking on unless you're really interested in how Tolkien's mind worked and how the LOTR and The Hobbit and Middle-earth in general came to be written down. They also contains sketchs and stuff. Early maps. The Silmarillion is actually edited by Christopher as well and published after Tolkien's death. Originally Tolkien wanted to include it as part of the appendix in RotK but then decided against it. He worked on it until his death and Christopher then took all the various drafts of each part and edited it down to what we can buy at our local bookshops today. I think he tried to put in what was consistant with The Hobbit and LOTR, even if it wasn't the most up to date draft. I believe other parts of it can be found in the History of Middle-earth books, but I haven't read all of them, so I'm not 100% certain. Tolkien was, first and foremost, a professor. They are about to publish his translation of Beowulf along with the lecture he gave on it. I believe there are also other lectures of his and the likes which you can get your hands on if you're really inspired to search for them.