Christopher Tolkien to finish lost Middle Earth novel - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Child of the 7th Age · 10-11-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

My post is a little more circumspect than you make it sound, so I've linked to it.

Squatter,

Sorry, sorry about my crude condensation. Open pen, insert large foot. I should have linked to the original post.

What you are suggesting in terms of their new website makes sense. I can understand that CT and the estate would prefer to have comfortable turf on which to make such announcements rather than just throwing press releases out into the void where the minions of Morgoth can devour them. If the site will be used for communication and explanation, that would be wonderful. But, as you say, we'll have to withold judgment.

The context in which this issue arose for me was similar to what you've described about your professor; it involved discussions at a conference. One of the largest gatherings of medievalists in the US is held at Kalamazoo, Michigan ( an unlikely place, I know). My undergrad college , a small school no one's ever heard of, is also in that city. Several years ago, I visited the college and attended the conference, which I hadn't done in years. A number of people were speculating about the Beowulf texts, since the permission to publish had apparently been pulled. They weren't hostile to CT or the estate (in fact several of these same people had participated in a Tolkien session). They just wanted to understand what had happened and expressed concern about the availability of the texts.

As someone who doesn't read Anglo-Saxon but still appreciates this historical period, I would love to read Tolkien's translations because these would probably bring us closer to the original than the ones that are currently available. Tolkien's unique combination of historical knowledge and sensitivity to words could give us a new perspective.

What if Silm and HoME had never been released? Our appreciation of Tolkien as the creator of Arda would necessarily be more limited. But without CT's approval and hard work,none of that would have happened. It's possible that these historical texts and notes on Beowulf would shed a similar new light on Tolkien's contributions as a medievalist. Let's hope it happens soon.

Lalwendë · 10-11-2006, 11:28 AM

There's probably a very good, non-sinister reason for holding back on the Beowulf translation. I know how keen everyone is to see it, especially Child who has posted about this a few times over the years! But if you really are that keen to see it, do get in touch with the estate/publishers and ask. obviously your enquiry would have to be worded correctly to get a response as they may be touchy about the subject, but it's worth asking, if not to set minds at rest.

There is always the possibility that the translation is simply held up due to legal or economic matters, both of which would be something the estate may be unwilling or even unable to divulge.

Child of the 7th Age · 10-11-2006, 01:34 PM

Lal,

You must have been reading my mind long distance regarding contacting the estate. I had been thinking about raising these questions for some time. When I first saw the estate's new website, I filled out the form with a polite inquiry about the status of the Beowulf material in terms of current access and the possibility of future publication. I also wrote the Bodleian, Harper Collins UK, Harper Collins US, and Houghton Mifflin.

I am more interested in the question of editing and publication than anything else. I don't have the background in Anglo-Saxon to make sense of unedited papers. Plus, one of my offspring has just started college so there is little chance of squeezing out spare pennies for a trip to the UK. (I lived in England for a few years when I was younger and doing research/studying but then I was footloose and fancy free.) If I receive any pertinent answers or even just a "thank you for sharing", I'll mention it on this thread. I would be surprised to learn anything substantial, not because of any cover-up or something silly like that, but because the system doesn't work that way. Still, you can't be sure until you ask.

davem · 01-27-2007, 05:42 AM

Y'all might be interested in this, much info on CoH & other Tolkien related stuff...

http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/...-Interview.htm

&

http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/...endar-2008.htm

davem · 01-30-2007, 04:44 PM

slightly different version of the cover we've already seen here

Could this be true the one?

Lalwendë · 02-05-2007, 10:06 AM

I've just been having a look on Amazon and they've now changed the release date of Children to Monday 16th April. Personally it was irritating me that it had said 17th as that's a Tuesday, and I wanted to be sure so I can be at the shops nice 'n' early.

Lalwendë · 02-08-2007, 03:42 PM

Hurrah!

The cover art for Children of Hurin has been revealed! Here

10-11-2006, 11:28 AM	#2
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	There's probably a very good, non-sinister reason for holding back on the Beowulf translation. I know how keen everyone is to see it, especially Child who has posted about this a few times over the years! But if you really are that keen to see it, do get in touch with the estate/publishers and ask. obviously your enquiry would have to be worded correctly to get a response as they may be touchy about the subject, but it's worth asking, if not to set minds at rest. There is always the possibility that the translation is simply held up due to legal or economic matters, both of which would be something the estate may be unwilling or even unable to divulge. __________________ Gordon's alive!

10-11-2006, 01:34 PM	#3
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Lal, You must have been reading my mind long distance regarding contacting the estate. I had been thinking about raising these questions for some time. When I first saw the estate's new website, I filled out the form with a polite inquiry about the status of the Beowulf material in terms of current access and the possibility of future publication. I also wrote the Bodleian, Harper Collins UK, Harper Collins US, and Houghton Mifflin. I am more interested in the question of editing and publication than anything else. I don't have the background in Anglo-Saxon to make sense of unedited papers. Plus, one of my offspring has just started college so there is little chance of squeezing out spare pennies for a trip to the UK. (I lived in England for a few years when I was younger and doing research/studying but then I was footloose and fancy free.) If I receive any pertinent answers or even just a "thank you for sharing", I'll mention it on this thread. I would be surprised to learn anything substantial, not because of any cover-up or something silly like that, but because the system doesn't work that way. Still, you can't be sure until you ask. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

01-27-2007, 05:42 AM	#4
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Y'all might be interested in this, much info on CoH & other Tolkien related stuff... http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/...-Interview.htm & http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/...endar-2008.htm __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects." Last edited by davem; 01-27-2007 at 05:47 AM.

01-30-2007, 04:44 PM	#5
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	slightly different version of the cover we've already seen here Could this be true the one? __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

02-05-2007, 10:06 AM	#6
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I've just been having a look on Amazon and they've now changed the release date of Children to Monday 16th April. Personally it was irritating me that it had said 17th as that's a Tuesday, and I wanted to be sure so I can be at the shops nice 'n' early. __________________ Gordon's alive!

02-08-2007, 03:42 PM	#7
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Hurrah! The cover art for Children of Hurin has been revealed! Here __________________ Gordon's alive!