The Story of Kullervo - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 07-21-2015, 11:33 AM

Well yes, but that wasn't really what I was asking, though no doubt I didn't express myself clearly enough. No doubt there will be reviews and I know where useful ones are likely to be found.

What I really wanted to know was what the central text is and I don't think it unreasonable to ask pre publication, I don't have a problem with it being supplemented by other material and drafts, I was just curious, since clearly it isn't an original story, as to whether it was Tolkien writing a version of the Finnish Legend based on his knowledge of the source legends (equivalent to say the Roger Lancelyn Green "Tales of the Greek Heroes" which inspired an interest in Classical Mythology in me as a child) or if it is a translation of an / the original Finnish text.

No doubt if I dig hard enough I can find out for myself I just thought someone might know and have interesting things to say about it, this being a discussion board and what have you... never mind eh

William Cloud Hicklin · 07-21-2015, 11:45 AM

Written while still an undergraduate, Kullervo was Tolkien's very first attempt at fiction; he conceived it as a William Morris-style retelling of a legend via a mixture of prose and narrative poetry, in the mode of Morris' Sigurd.

Mithalwen · 07-21-2015, 12:29 PM

Thank you. That is exactly what I was after.

Galin · 07-21-2015, 03:00 PM

Also, Tolkien's early prose tale of Kullervo (with bits of poetry) has already been published in Tolkien Studies along with two versions of an essay by JRRT on the Kalevala. Anyone know if this new book will contain... more? More extensive notes from Flieger maybe? I have the TS volume already, so just wondering.

I'll probably get the new book in any case... but still, anyone know?

Mithalwen · 07-21-2015, 04:22 PM

http://www.tolkiendil.com/tolkien/biblio/kullervo

This is the French site. They have added a footnote referencine the publisher blurb that it with some drafts, and the conference essays were indeed published in Tolkien Studies in 2010. Don't know if the book length gives a clue as to how much new stuff you will get.

07-21-2015, 11:33 AM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Well yes, but that wasn't really what I was asking, though no doubt I didn't express myself clearly enough. No doubt there will be reviews and I know where useful ones are likely to be found. What I really wanted to know was what the central text is and I don't think it unreasonable to ask pre publication, I don't have a problem with it being supplemented by other material and drafts, I was just curious, since clearly it isn't an original story, as to whether it was Tolkien writing a version of the Finnish Legend based on his knowledge of the source legends (equivalent to say the Roger Lancelyn Green "Tales of the Greek Heroes" which inspired an interest in Classical Mythology in me as a child) or if it is a translation of an / the original Finnish text. No doubt if I dig hard enough I can find out for myself I just thought someone might know and have interesting things to say about it, this being a discussion board and what have you... never mind eh __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

07-21-2015, 11:45 AM	#2
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	Written while still an undergraduate, Kullervo was Tolkien's very first attempt at fiction; he conceived it as a William Morris-style retelling of a legend via a mixture of prose and narrative poetry, in the mode of Morris' Sigurd. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

07-21-2015, 12:29 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Thank you. That is exactly what I was after. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

07-21-2015, 04:22 PM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	http://www.tolkiendil.com/tolkien/biblio/kullervo This is the French site. They have added a footnote referencine the publisher blurb that it with some drafts, and the conference essays were indeed published in Tolkien Studies in 2010. Don't know if the book length gives a clue as to how much new stuff you will get. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

07-21-2015, 03:00 PM	#4
Galin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,036	Also, Tolkien's early prose tale of Kullervo (with bits of poetry) has already been published in Tolkien Studies along with two versions of an essay by JRRT on the Kalevala. Anyone know if this new book will contain... more? More extensive notes from Flieger maybe? I have the TS volume already, so just wondering. I'll probably get the new book in any case... but still, anyone know?