Favourite Part of Unfinished Tales?

[zxcvbn]

The part about Cirion and Eorl. That was really helpful to me as it helped fill in the missing pieces in the history of the Northmen of Rhovanion and their descendants. From here I found that the Eotheod were founded by the last prince of the Northmen, and thus the Kings of Rohan can claim descent from the Kings of Rhovanion.

[ArathornJax]

I really enjoyed the Hunt for the Ring because it almost tells the story from the point of view of the Nazgul chasing the ring. Wouldn't it be cool to have a transcribed or written account by the Witch-King and Khamul on chasing after the ring.

I also enjoy reading the Quest for Erebor since it was The Hobbit that turned me on to Middle Earth.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Well, since I originally bought the book specifically to read the essay on the Istari, I guess I would have to say... (drum roll)... the Istari. What a surprise!

However, I do enjoy much of the rest of the book, quite nearly as well. Except for the parts about Hurin and family. That is one heck of a depressing story....

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

the parts about Hurin and family. That is one heck of a depressing story....

So is the Tuor tale, really. He just doesn't describe as many of the bad parts. The whole House of Hador (especially Galdo's descendants) suffer so much.

Come to think of it, so is Aldarion and Erndis.

Actually, all of the works of ME are a bit depressing (dimishing knowledge, power, people, good, etc.), except maybe for Tom Bombadil. All this time I've been reading books by a depressing author

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

The Children of Hurin has long reminded me of a strange cross between Oedipus and Elric of Melnibone (possible only in the hindsight of when UT was first published, since Elric obviously was written after Tolkien wrote his first drafts of the Hurin tale, and I doubt very much that either author was any influence on the other). At lot of Tolkien's tales are like a lot of classic mythology in general -- not too many light and happy tales out there, when you stop to think about it (awe-inspiring, perhaps, like the Ainulindale, but not light-hearted). Which is appropriate, since myths, I think, often come about to explain and give meaning to what seem like the eternal burdens and difficulties and mysteries of life.

I imagine that given the "weight" of Tolkien's tales, it explains why, when I first read LotR as a child, I liked the hobbits, as I became an adult, I was fascinated by Aragorn, and now that I'm "over the hill," I'm intrigued by the Ainur. First the (comparatively) child-like, then the heroic, and then the angelic. Sheesh, I feel like I'm sticking one foot in the grave, here... Not ready for that by a long shot.

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

Sheesh, I feel like I'm sticking one foot in the grave, here... Not ready for that by a long shot.

Maybe Mandos, perhaps.
Sorry

But as you say, most legends are powerful, full of evil, suffering, but also heroics and brave deeds. They're about people confronting the evil, the bad thigs that happen to them and in life. I sound a bit too happy here I think, like someone commentinng on the moral of a story

[Gwathagor]

Tuor, the anti-Turin. Everything Turin does, Tuor does as well, only differently.

He deserves his own thread.