The Unfinished Tales - favorite story - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Vanya · 05-11-2004, 02:10 AM

Well, reading about Isildur's death at Gladden fields made me think twice about him, and made me realise the size of his tragedy. I wrote about this in "The most tragic figure" thread.
I liked Aldarion and Erendis story as well, but it was sad. I don't think Erendis was doing the right thing, being so proud and unwilling to compromise. He offered to take her with him (she hated the sea, but he hated the ground as well,but had stayed for her). She only succeded to be left alone and bitter at the and. The aspect of stoy that I liked most is mentioning Gil-Galad and his realm, of which I think there should be more talk.

Legolas · 05-11-2004, 11:26 AM

Yes. Though Gil-galad's kingdom lasted throughout the entire Second Age, the Last Alliance is almost all we hear of it. It would've been nice to hear more about him. That's the "trouble" with such a world...there's so much there, you want to know more and more about it.

Knight of Gondor · 05-12-2004, 08:58 PM

Not that it's relevent, but I've purchased the book and intend to read it on vacation. Thanks for the recommendation, it's why I bought it!

Mahal · 05-15-2004, 09:03 AM

I agree, with Legolas, the essay, about the Istari was a fine read. Aldarion & Erendis, was also a good story, and another look into the isle of Numenor.

**lindil** · 05-15-2004, 09:30 AM

for me everything in UT as well as everything else written from 1950 on is pretty much pure gold.

For me JRRT only hit his pace with the wrapping up of the LotR. He really begins to shine in the UT, Silm and HoM-E 10-12 material.

Something crystallized in his writing and or mind and the level of reality conveyed by the words and stories becomes far denser and richer, even though the subject matter is almost always darker.

I especially loved the 2nd age and early 3rd age historical bits on the elves and Galadriel, and of course the Narn. It is a sad fact that HoM-E does so little to illuminate this area more.

Unfortunately, we are given only part of the whole Hurin cycle in UT and must get some bits from the Silm. But most notably missing from UT is the Wanderings of Hurin now in HoM-E XI.

Still, I remember when [i]unfinished Tales[/i came out in 1980. It opened up beautiful new vistas even as it filled in major holes.

I reality UT should probably be reworked into the HoM-E series [ HoM-E XI.V] as we are denied quite a bit of lore in the 'general editor' mode CJRT did UT in. We see no textual jumbles in the Narn [and are still clueless as to the contents of the missing account of Hurin slaying orc or trolls at sunset at the Nirnaeth.

But the writings grow deeper and more satisfying as I fet older.

LotR may be the most well known. but his last 20 years of Silm writings are, I believe , his magnum opus, even if an unfinished and chaotic one.

Knight of Gondor · 08-07-2004, 08:46 PM

I want to thank you guys! This topic prompted me to purchase UT a couple of months ago. I finished it, and even reviewed it for Amazon.com. (Would any BDers care to offer a few helpful votes for 'ol Knight's review? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...153920-0323903 I wrote it under the name "Dave". It would help a fellow BDer make a top 1000 reviewer rank, and I've written mostly LotR-related reviews! You have to have an account with Amazon.com, but it's free)

So my favorite story would probably be the behind-the-scenes stuff relating to the events in the books. I liked the story of Erendis and Aldarion, except that it had a rotten ending, having Aldarion be a jerk, and Erendis turn into a feminazi. It was still great to find out about Numenor!

I liked learning about the wizards, and the stuff right before Helm's Deep was fought.

Thanks again, you guys!

Firefoot · 08-08-2004, 06:03 AM

I really liked the Narn and all of the Third Age chapters. I must admit, Aldarion and Erendis has to be the saddest love story I ever read. It's too bad none of the stories are really finished (

) but still very good. UT is probably one of my favorite Tolkien books (I definitely liked it more than the Sil.) I definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.

05-11-2004, 02:10 AM	#1
Vanya Animated Skeleton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Belgrade Posts: 43	other stories Well, reading about Isildur's death at Gladden fields made me think twice about him, and made me realise the size of his tragedy. I wrote about this in "The most tragic figure" thread. I liked Aldarion and Erendis story as well, but it was sad. I don't think Erendis was doing the right thing, being so proud and unwilling to compromise. He offered to take her with him (she hated the sea, but he hated the ground as well,but had stayed for her). She only succeded to be left alone and bitter at the and. The aspect of stoy that I liked most is mentioning Gil-Galad and his realm, of which I think there should be more talk.

05-11-2004, 11:26 AM	#2
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	Yes. Though Gil-galad's kingdom lasted throughout the entire Second Age, the Last Alliance is almost all we hear of it. It would've been nice to hear more about him. That's the "trouble" with such a world...there's so much there, you want to know more and more about it. __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

05-12-2004, 08:58 PM	#3
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	Not that it's relevent, but I've purchased the book and intend to read it on vacation. Thanks for the recommendation, it's why I bought it! __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

05-15-2004, 09:03 AM	#4
Mahal Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2003 Location: Paradox Realm Posts: 66	I agree, with Legolas, the essay, about the Istari was a fine read. Aldarion & Erendis, was also a good story, and another look into the isle of Numenor. __________________ *A new technology does not add or substract something. It changes everything.*

05-15-2004, 09:30 AM	#5
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	all post lotr writings... for me everything in UT as well as everything else written from 1950 on is pretty much pure gold. For me JRRT only hit his pace with the wrapping up of the LotR. He really begins to shine in the UT, Silm and HoM-E 10-12 material. Something crystallized in his writing and or mind and the level of reality conveyed by the words and stories becomes far denser and richer, even though the subject matter is almost always darker. I especially loved the 2nd age and early 3rd age historical bits on the elves and Galadriel, and of course the Narn. It is a sad fact that HoM-E does so little to illuminate this area more. Unfortunately, we are given only part of the whole Hurin cycle in UT and must get some bits from the Silm. But most notably missing from UT is the Wanderings of Hurin now in HoM-E XI. Still, I remember when [i]unfinished Tales[/i came out in 1980. It opened up beautiful new vistas even as it filled in major holes. I reality UT should probably be reworked into the HoM-E series [ HoM-E XI.V] as we are denied quite a bit of lore in the 'general editor' mode CJRT did UT in. We see no textual jumbles in the Narn [and are still clueless as to the contents of the missing account of Hurin slaying orc or trolls at sunset at the Nirnaeth. But the writings grow deeper and more satisfying as I fet older. LotR may be the most well known. but his last 20 years of Silm writings are, I believe , his magnum opus, even if an unfinished and chaotic one. __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light. Last edited by lindil; 05-15-2004 at 09:42 AM.

08-07-2004, 08:46 PM	#6
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	I want to thank you guys! This topic prompted me to purchase UT a couple of months ago. I finished it, and even reviewed it for Amazon.com. (Would any BDers care to offer a few helpful votes for 'ol Knight's review? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...153920-0323903 I wrote it under the name "Dave". It would help a fellow BDer make a top 1000 reviewer rank, and I've written mostly LotR-related reviews! You have to have an account with Amazon.com, but it's free) So my favorite story would probably be the behind-the-scenes stuff relating to the events in the books. I liked the story of Erendis and Aldarion, except that it had a rotten ending, having Aldarion be a jerk, and Erendis turn into a feminazi. It was still great to find out about Numenor! I liked learning about the wizards, and the stuff right before Helm's Deep was fought. Thanks again, you guys! __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

08-08-2004, 06:03 AM	#7
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	I really liked the Narn and all of the Third Age chapters. I must admit, Aldarion and Erendis has to be the saddest love story I ever read. It's too bad none of the stories are really finished ( ) but still very good. UT is probably one of my favorite Tolkien books (I definitely liked it more than the Sil.) I definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.