Which volumes of HoME would you recommend? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 02-06-2008, 12:31 PM

I can sympathise since I found the early volumes difficult and gave up at vol 4 when they first emerged only completing my set when they were reissued in 2002.

The History of the Lord of the Rings volumes are very readable (I admit they are the only ones I have read from cover to cover so far) and fascinating for the develpment of the story but won't bring you much in the way of new stories. The Peoples of Middle Earth is another interesting one - certainly the one apart from Morgoth's ring that I refer to most.

Elmo · 02-06-2008, 01:32 PM

Morgoth's Ring is the best one, especially for the Athrabeth which is one of my favourite pieces of writing ever.

Mithalwen · 02-06-2008, 01:36 PM

Yes, but he has already read that one .... don't put him off the others!

Elmo · 02-06-2008, 01:44 PM

Arrrgggggghhhh! I'm tired OK please forgive me

Mithalwen · 02-06-2008, 02:24 PM

Nothing to forgive ... and *whispers* it is my favourite too since it includes "LACE" as well .... but there is good stuff elsewhere.

Sauron the White · 02-06-2008, 02:30 PM

Skip should be forewarned that most of those books would be more accurately titled THE HISTORY OF THE WRITING OF MIDDLE EARTH. If somebody picks up all those books thinking they are going to get two feet worth of detailed information about actual Middle-earth events that were not in the standard HOBBIT and LOTR, they usually are greatly disappointed. These are great books if you want to know all the ins and outs of how they were written. As true history books, they are badly mistitled. Of course, I have always suspected that a series of books called THE HISTORY OF THE WRITING OF MIDDLE EARTH would have sold even fewer copies that did the HOME.

Mithalwen · 02-06-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sauron the White

Skip should be forewarned that most of those books would be more accurately titled THE HISTORY OF THE WRITING OF MIDDLE EARTH. If somebody picks up all those books thinking they are going to get two feet worth of detailed information about actual Middle-earth events that were not in the standard HOBBIT and LOTR, they usually are greatly disappointed.

Well if people pick them up and don't bother to examine either the back cover or flip through the insides then they deserve to waste their money especially if they buy they whole lot without finding out about them. It isn't like going to a film, you can see what you are going to get before you cough up the cash, or get them from the library.

Aganzir · 02-06-2008, 02:41 PM

I have made it to volume four by now, and it will probably still take me some years before I've read them all, but anyway, here we go.

I didn't enjoy the Books of Lost Tales that much either, for the same reasons you skip spence mentioned. There were many things that made me think "Oh that I'm happy he didn't leave them like this"...
But on the other hand, there are some good things as well that didn't make it to the Silmarillion - the Cottage of Lost Play for example, which was rather lovely.

My absolute favourite thus far has been vol. III: Lays of Beleriand. It's just so... different to read familiar stories in verse form. But, apart from good poems that give more insight to some minor details, a disliker of poetry doesn't miss much if he doesn't read it.

02-06-2008, 12:31 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I can sympathise since I found the early volumes difficult and gave up at vol 4 when they first emerged only completing my set when they were reissued in 2002. The History of the Lord of the Rings volumes are very readable (I admit they are the only ones I have read from cover to cover so far) and fascinating for the develpment of the story but won't bring you much in the way of new stories. The Peoples of Middle Earth is another interesting one - certainly the one apart from Morgoth's ring that I refer to most. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-06-2008, 01:32 PM	#2
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	Morgoth's Ring is the best one, especially for the Athrabeth which is one of my favourite pieces of writing ever. __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

02-06-2008, 01:36 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Yes, but he has already read that one .... don't put him off the others! __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-06-2008, 01:44 PM	#4
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	Arrrgggggghhhh! I'm tired OK please forgive me __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

02-06-2008, 02:24 PM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Nothing to forgive ... and whispers it is my favourite too since it includes "LACE" as well .... but there is good stuff elsewhere. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-06-2008, 02:30 PM	#6
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	Skip should be forewarned that most of those books would be more accurately titled THE HISTORY OF THE WRITING OF MIDDLE EARTH. If somebody picks up all those books thinking they are going to get two feet worth of detailed information about actual Middle-earth events that were not in the standard HOBBIT and LOTR, they usually are greatly disappointed. These are great books if you want to know all the ins and outs of how they were written. As true history books, they are badly mistitled. Of course, I have always suspected that a series of books called THE HISTORY OF THE WRITING OF MIDDLE EARTH would have sold even fewer copies that did the HOME.

02-06-2008, 02:41 PM	#8
Aganzir Woman of Secret Shadow Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in hollow halls beneath the fells Posts: 4,511	I have made it to volume four by now, and it will probably still take me some years before I've read them all, but anyway, here we go. I didn't enjoy the Books of Lost Tales that much either, for the same reasons you skip spence mentioned. There were many things that made me think "Oh that I'm happy he didn't leave them like this"... But on the other hand, there are some good things as well that didn't make it to the Silmarillion - the Cottage of Lost Play for example, which was rather lovely. My absolute favourite thus far has been vol. III: Lays of Beleriand. It's just so... different to read familiar stories in verse form. But, apart from good poems that give more insight to some minor details, a disliker of poetry doesn't miss much if he doesn't read it. __________________ He bit me, and I was not gentle.

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