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

Mithalwen · 02-06-2008, 03:52 PM

Yes they have only them selves to blame. It isn't mistitling ... a book is one of the few things you can judge pretty well before buying. It isn't sold in a sealed wrapper. You can browse through it before buying. Amazon has review which detail what is in it for online buyers. These are not cheap novels such as the ones that I might chuck in the shopping trolley along with groceries. If people buy a book without looking at it or researching it then they can hardly claim to be ripped off. An idiot not a sucker - And anyone who buys the whole lot without doing so has more money than sense. The complete set costs £100 - £120, I am certainly not in the financial league to spend that much on books unless I know I want them.

Presumably the publishers may have assumed a modicum of intelligence from potential publishers of such works. They cannot be blamed if people cannot be bothered to read even the back cover

I bought the first volumes of HoMe when I was a teenager and they represented serious expenditure. Some I have read more than others but I am glad I have them all, just as I am glad I have "The Road goes ever on" even though I can't play the piano.

Thinlómien · 02-07-2008, 05:34 AM

There is an old (well, not that old but it feels like I started it ages ago, just look at my English

) thread on the subject.

HoME sweet HoME?

I haven't read all of the HoME but I can't recommend everything I've read this far - both volumes of Lost Tales and The Peoples of Middle-Earth.

If you want to read something that does not (necessarily?) conflict with Tolkien's published works, the stories Tal-Elmar and The New Shadow are very interesting, but sadly unfinished. They can both be found in The Peoples of Middle-Earth.

skip spence · 02-07-2008, 03:01 PM

Thank you for your comments.

I am aware that these books aren't (fictional) history books per say, but rather the history of Tolkien's creation of Arda. While this might be interesting for a select few, I'm amazed at at the sheer size of the project with its 12 volumes, to my knowledge mostly consisting of discarded drafts and (at times) rather tedious comments by CT. While browsing the books in my local pocket-book shop I was flabbergasted to find that even the combined indexes were published as a seperate book, priced the same as the other volumes. My first thought was that the Tolkien estate were trying to wring out as much money as possible out of JRRT's unpublished writings. But then again, who in their right mind would pay 20 Euro for a 400 page index? I mean, could this really be a economically viable project? Or are there really enough Tolkien maniacs and academics around for it to justify the 13 books?

Anyhow, what I can gather from your advice is that "The Peoples of Middle Earth" should be first (and perhaps last) on my shopping list. What's in this one?

And how about the 11th volume, "The War of the Jewels"? I am a big fan of the Silmarillion. Will this volume broaden my horizon?

Mithalwen · 02-07-2008, 03:06 PM

I bought the index.... though I do not claim necessarily to be in my right mind ..after all I rather enjoy Christopher Tolkien's dry humour

..... but if you are looking for information on a specific character or topic and own the whole set it is an absolute godsend to be able to go direct to the most useful volumes rather than check 12 indexes.

skip spence · 02-07-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I bought the index.... though I do not claim necessarily to be in my right mind

Don't sweat it mate, none of us are.

Mithalwen · 02-07-2008, 03:15 PM

As someone's sig once said - reality is very nice but I wouldn't want to live there

Elmo · 02-07-2008, 03:54 PM

Hey isn't there a another volume which has a story of Hurin that's never been published? Is that any good? Which volume is it in?

Lalwendë · 02-10-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skip spence

But then again, who in their right mind would pay 20 Euro for a 400 page index? I mean, could this really be a economically viable project? Or are there really enough Tolkien maniacs and academics around for it to justify the 13 books?

Yes. We've got two copies (and three sets of HoME).

Once you get into them, the index is really useful - in fact, it's impossible to find any references without it!

skip spence · 02-10-2008, 08:46 AM

^Wow, that is incredible. JRRT would be amazed had he known that 35 years after his death there would be tens of thosands of fans buying a 400 page index of 12 brick-sized books, constructed from his old notebooks of unfinished material.

02-06-2008, 03:52 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	No sympathy for self inflicted injuries. Yes they have only them selves to blame. It isn't mistitling ... a book is one of the few things you can judge pretty well before buying. It isn't sold in a sealed wrapper. You can browse through it before buying. Amazon has review which detail what is in it for online buyers. These are not cheap novels such as the ones that I might chuck in the shopping trolley along with groceries. If people buy a book without looking at it or researching it then they can hardly claim to be ripped off. An idiot not a sucker - And anyone who buys the whole lot without doing so has more money than sense. The complete set costs £100 - £120, I am certainly not in the financial league to spend that much on books unless I know I want them. Presumably the publishers may have assumed a modicum of intelligence from potential publishers of such works. They cannot be blamed if people cannot be bothered to read even the back cover I bought the first volumes of HoMe when I was a teenager and they represented serious expenditure. Some I have read more than others but I am glad I have them all, just as I am glad I have "The Road goes ever on" even though I can't play the piano. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-07-2008, 05:34 AM	#2
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	There is an old (well, not that old but it feels like I started it ages ago, just look at my English ) thread on the subject. HoME sweet HoME? I haven't read all of the HoME but I can't recommend everything I've read this far - both volumes of Lost Tales and The Peoples of Middle-Earth. If you want to read something that does not (necessarily?) conflict with Tolkien's published works, the stories Tal-Elmar and The New Shadow are very interesting, but sadly unfinished. They can both be found in The Peoples of Middle-Earth. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

02-07-2008, 03:06 PM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I bought the index.... though I do not claim necessarily to be in my right mind ..after all I rather enjoy Christopher Tolkien's dry humour ..... but if you are looking for information on a specific character or topic and own the whole set it is an absolute godsend to be able to go direct to the most useful volumes rather than check 12 indexes. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-07-2008, 03:15 PM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	As someone's sig once said - reality is very nice but I wouldn't want to live there __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-07-2008, 03:54 PM	#7
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	Hey isn't there a another volume which has a story of Hurin that's never been published? Is that any good? Which volume is it in? __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

02-07-2008, 03:01 PM	#3
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	Thank you for your comments. I am aware that these books aren't (fictional) history books per say, but rather the history of Tolkien's creation of Arda. While this might be interesting for a select few, I'm amazed at at the sheer size of the project with its 12 volumes, to my knowledge mostly consisting of discarded drafts and (at times) rather tedious comments by CT. While browsing the books in my local pocket-book shop I was flabbergasted to find that even the combined indexes were published as a seperate book, priced the same as the other volumes. My first thought was that the Tolkien estate were trying to wring out as much money as possible out of JRRT's unpublished writings. But then again, who in their right mind would pay 20 Euro for a 400 page index? I mean, could this really be a economically viable project? Or are there really enough Tolkien maniacs and academics around for it to justify the 13 books? Anyhow, what I can gather from your advice is that "The Peoples of Middle Earth" should be first (and perhaps last) on my shopping list. What's in this one? And how about the 11th volume, "The War of the Jewels"? I am a big fan of the Silmarillion. Will this volume broaden my horizon?

02-10-2008, 08:46 AM	#9
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	^Wow, that is incredible. JRRT would be amazed had he known that 35 years after his death there would be tens of thosands of fans buying a 400 page index of 12 brick-sized books, constructed from his old notebooks of unfinished material.