The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two

Let's be clear from the onset: Book 1 & 2 of the magnificent 12 volume 'History of Middle Earth' are not specifically the new or unpublished tales from Tolkien, edited by his son. It is primarily his son's work on the commentary and annotations to his father's work. If you have read 'Tuor and the The Fall of Gondolin' in The Silmarillion, it is just six and a half pages of print (2004, large hardcover, Houghton Muffin). Here, the chapter dedicated to it is voluminous. We even trace the probable 100 tear old age of the manuscript in pencil. Thus, what was once unpublishable notes and fragments by Tolkien, we have these thoughtfully framed by his son for posterity. While academics and scholars will find much of the work done for them here, what's in it for the 'lay' reader. If you have read the Bible and wished there was a comprehensive biblical commentary at arm's reach, then this is the appropriate companion to your 'Silmarillion'. So, first read the published stories in its known form. And if you wished there was more to know, open up 'The Lost Tales' (Books 1 & 2, unless you bought the three volume deluxe set of 'History') to satisfy your appetite. Bear in mind, it will open up your mind to the created cosmos as well as inform you of some of the Old English and ancient European tongues. The book reviewed is the 1984 first hardcover US edition. (I bought it to fill up the missing volumes in my collection, as this particular copy could not be obtained before. This was a used library copy with plastic cover and mint condition.)

Let us say that over all this is a great tome. The writing by JRR Tolkien for the most part is excellent, with a few passages that are a bit of a challenge to understand. The problem is not with JRR Tolkien's writing but rather with the extensive notes written by his son, Christopher Tolkien. Ok yeah I get it he want to explain the differences between the these rough versions of the story and the official in the Simarillion but he goes into over kill and frankly that is not needed.The book continues with Eriol's sojourn in Tol Eressea. The elves of that island tell him several more tales and he tells them a few of his own. Eriol lived in a town on the Great Land and during a minor skirmish he lost everything. His parents were killed and he was pressed into servitude. Eventually he escapes and he makes his way to Tol Eressea. His friend tell him the Tale of Tinuviel. Beren in this version is an elf not a human. Tinuviel is half faery and half elf. They fall in love when he ventures into their relam that is hidden from Melko by the queen's magic. The Queen Gwendeling is a faery. The realm is made up of free elves both Noldoli and Avari elves. Now the king does not quite approve of this match so he challenges Beren to obtain one of the Simarils from Melko's crown. Beren sets off on his quest. He becomes a servant of Melko and his cat assistant Tevildo. After a long period of time Tinuviel longs for Beren and set out to rescue him. Using magic that causes her foes to fall asleep she breaks into Melko's realm to rescue Beren. Huan the king of dogs help out and you know they hate cats.In the end there is a battle between the Wolf King and Beren and much like Tiw in the Norse legends he looses his hand. In a strange way they end up together.In Turumbar and Foaloke , the short version of "Hurin's Children" documents the wars of elves and men against Melko. Hurin gets captured and tortured. Part of the torture involves watching the fait of his children. Turin goes off to King Thingol to be raised in his court. Turin becomes a great warrior, slaying off many orcs and goblin. But he ends up banishing himself from the court after killing another elf for insulting him. He continues his adventures slaying orcs with a good friend from Thingols kingdom. They have many an adventure together but all that ends when Turin is rescued from the captivity with the Orcs. by mistake he slays his friend. He does fall in love with an elven girl but loses her to Glurund (Foaloke) the dragon. He sees his mother's homestead taken over by a corrupt person . He kills the corrupt person get banished from his mothers village and gives himself the name Turumbar. THE Dragon manages to steal away his sisters memory and the two end up connecting. In the end the Dragon is slain and the tainted gold is liberated. Things end off there but the book that was released later called "Hurin's Children" has a very different ending."The Fall of Gondolin" documents a hidden city that is found by a wandering Noldoli who escapes from Melko servitude. Many elves and Noldoli are enslaved by Melko. Ulmo the sea god leads this elf to the city. His coming was fortold and much like a prophet he warns the inhabitant to leave and return to Valinor. His word is not heeded. Our hero marries the elven princess and remains with her for many years. They have a child named Earel. Eventually Melko finds out about this hidden city and after a brutal war and some internal treachery the city falls. everyone ends going to the beach hideout. A special destiny is held in store for Erendel."The Nauglafring" is about the cursed gold from the slaying of Glorofund the Dragon. Somehow Hurin is released from captivity and he is the one who brings forward the gold. The simaril which has been liberated by Beren is combined with this gold to make an elaborate piece of jewelry. But the gold is cursed and that curse involves people killing each other over it. This soon leads to war between and elven kingdom and a dwarf kingdom because the Elves enslave them into making the Jewelry. The elven Kingdom gets destroyed. In retaliation Beren and Tinuviel are called from the faery realm to extract vengeance. There is further loss for Beren and Tinuviel but vengeance is secured. They have a daughter named Elwing.Earendel weds Elwing and then loses her. He takes to the seas to find her. The final part of book delved into Aelfwine. A confusing expalanation to say the least. You can red it and find out. Well worth it for Tolkien fans.

I intend to read the book as my interest in The Hobbit & Lord of the rings is still very much alive; I also have others & intend to read those as well.

Have read other Tolkien books so I though I would give this a try. Overall very interesting although not on par with some of his other works (i.e. the hobbit, lord of the rings, etc). I am mostly interested in Tolkien because the undercurrent of his works is based on his religious convictions. I will be buying other works of his to build my library...this book belongs in my collection

It is the continuation of tolkien's mythology. Full of epic tales. I recommend you buy "the children of Hurin" and "the lay of leithan" as seperate books as there is only a summary of those two in the book of lost tales. Also see "unfinished tales" and "tales from the perilous realm"

Good story - filled in sketchy details from previous references in the trilogy.

"The Book of Lost Tales -- Part Two" is a hard read. Do not expect tales from Tolkien along the line of "The Hobbit" or "Lord of the Rings". This is a book written for the student of Tolkien and is more of a scholarly text than light reading. The book serves two purposes. One is to bring more of Tolkien's work into publication. Christopher Tolkien (son of J.R.R. Tolkien) has scoured his father's works and notes to gather the "back story" of JRRT's two novels...The Hobbit and LOTR. The second is to derive more revenue from his father's works. Christopher Tolkien is not a novelist, only a transcriber of his father's works. The book is filled (almost to the point of boredom) with scholarly annotations, explanations and trivia not really needed to enjoy the "Tales". Lest this be taken as a negative review, I enjoyed both books (Part one and Part two) but then I am a fan of Tolkien's works. Do not buy this for light reading. Buy it for its exposition of the genius that was J.R.R Tolkien.

Interesting read, covers more of the LOTR world and history of Middle Earth

This is a must for those of us who are looking to delve deeper into Middle Earth than the 3rd Age. I enjoyed all of these tales, it is frustrating none of them were ever finished. Imagine what a cannon would have been left by Tolkien if he had. That said these tales elaborate on this mentioned off hand in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings and give the reader a much more rounded picture and understanding of all three ages of middle earth.Thank goodness his son published these for us all to enjoy.The writing style is like a Norse saga and can be heavy going until one adjusts to it but persevere as delights await those who do.

Yet another volume giving an insightful and detailed history of The Silmarillion and other great works of Tolkien, especially recommended to fans

A detailed examination and exposition of some of the lesser known bc stories that make up Tolkien’s extensive legends!

Arrived in perfect condition. Always guaranteed top quality items from this seller, 10/10 everytime

I bought this book for my son for Christmas. It was on his wish list as he is a big JRR Tolkien fan. He was delighted with it. The packaging was very appropriate and despatch was prompt. Complete satisfaction with this purchase.