Beren and Lùthien to be published as stand alone volume

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Nice! A definite addition to my Tolkien collection.

I hope that doesn't provide more of an impetus for PJ or his ilk to capitalize on a film version though,

Wouldn't they be limited to what references can be found in the appendix of LotR?

Even for PJ and crew, that would be a bit of a stretch.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

Wouldn't they be limited to what references can be found in the appendix of LotR?

Even for PJ and crew, that would be a bit of a stretch.

Perhaps that is exactly why C. Tolkien is releasing this book and thus prolonging the copyright to the entire compilation of Beren and Luthien stories. Thus the estate's lawyers can ensure Jackson or whomever doesn't try to dip into the story.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Perhaps that is exactly why C. Tolkien is releasing this book and thus prolonging the copyright to the entire compilation of Beren and Luthien stories. Thus the estate's lawyers can ensure Jackson or whomever doesn't try to dip into the story.

I hope Christopher Tolkien lives forever, then. So we never have to deal with a film adaption ever again.

That being said, I am trash and I will most certainly be buying this book.

[Faramir Jones]

Thanks for posting this news, Mithalwen.

While I'm a little ambivalent, like Kuruharan, having bought The Children of Húrin, I probably will buy this one too.

I was interested in what you had to say about copyright, Morthoron.

I've already posted this elsewhere; but the link below gives an amusing (or worse) idea about what Peter Jackson adapting The Silmarillion might look and sound like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFMwOu8_jsE

[Formendacil]

I too am expecting this to look a lot like The Children of Húrin--and as far as that expectation goes, I'm actually rather looking forward to it. Not that it would actually provide us with any new material--any expectation along those lines seems doomed to disappointment even if there ARE (as I incline to doubt) tidbits not previously seen before.

No, the reason I am would enjoy a Children of Húrin-esque "Beren and Lúthien" is because I think that volume did a good job of bringing one of the Tales of the First Age out of the realm of the Scholarly into the view of a general audience. Though The Silmarillion lacks the scholarly apparatus of the HoME, it is quite the first-time challenge to a reader: the prose is heightened and unusual, the plot is diffused by being a general history, and keeping track of so many characters is difficult. The succession of Unfinished Tales and the HoME only pushed ahead the idea that Tolkien's posthumous works are dry and only for the arch-fans.

My memory of things is that The Children of Húrin changed this--if only a little--and I think that "Beren and Lúthien" is even better suited to this treatment than "Túrin" was. As a reader myself who knows the complete legendarium, I like the idea of being able to pull out a single volume when I want to read a single tale.

So I'm happy enough (though definitely aware we're looking at another moneymaking enterprise for HarperCollins and the Tolkien Estate) if that's what the project turns out to be, but I think it important to set expectations accordingly.

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

No, the reason I am would enjoy a <i>Children of Húrin</i>-esque "Beren and Lúthien" is because I think that volume did a good job of bringing one of the Tales of the First Age out of the realm of the Scholarly into the view of a general audience. Though <i>The Silmarillion</i> lacks the scholarly apparatus of the HoME, it is quite the first-time challenge to a reader: the prose is heightened and unusual, the plot is diffused by being a general history, and keeping track of so many characters is difficult. The succession of <i>Unfinished Tales</i> and the HoME only pushed ahead the idea that Tolkien's posthumous works are dry and only for the arch-fans.

Even with my skepticism I will hasten to concede that this is a good point.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Like Formy, I enjoyed CoH because it condensed many drafts of one story into one easy to digest volume. I had a hard time with all of the different versions of the story because none of them really felt finished, if you understand what I mean. The whole story was there in pieces before, but then we got one really nice volume. I remember reading the whole book on a peaceful Saturday afternoon and really enjoying it. I expect to have a similar experience with this new book.

As a bonus, my boyfriend has already promised to buy it for me! So that's really nice.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Faramir Jones

Thanks for posting this news, Mithalwen.

While I'm a little ambivalent, like Kuruharan, having bought The Children of Húrin, I probably will buy this one too.

I was interested in what you had to say about copyright, Morthoron.

I've already posted this elsewhere; but the link below gives an amusing (or worse) idea about what Peter Jackson adapting The Silmarillion might look and sound like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFMwOu8_jsE

Thanks for posting, that's hilarious!

[mark12_30]

I bought CoH in paperback. Did I enjoy it? It's so sad... Do I enjoy any tragedy?? But this is different, I think. I have read the various peices, and was always sad when they abruptly end unfinished (his poetry is SO good) and ... Well, this is about LUTHIEN TINUVIEL and Beren Erchamion... (Would I buy a book solely about Galadriel, even though it was just a reorganization? You bet.) I think I will buy this in hardcover, and relish it, and read it with my toes toward the fireplace and perhaps a drink at my elbow, in awe of the whole concept of sub-creation and myth making.

One of the greatest elves in the history of Arda...

Yes, I am excited about this book.

<3

Cheers, Professor, and cheers to your son as well. And thanks.

[IxnaY AintsaY]

Originally Posted by Faramir Jones

I've already posted this elsewhere; but the link below gives an amusing (or worse) idea about what Peter Jackson adapting The Silmarillion might look and sound like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFMwOu8_jsE

Brilliant.

[Mithalwen]

I don't know that I will but it as it is my least favourite story of all (I really love Finrod and he gets dedded for THEM grrr) and I have all of HoME etc -also my special edition CoH has barely left its slipcase lest I spoil its beauty by reading it -but I think there is a place for this sort of thing for those who would be daunted by HoME or just want everything on a favourite story in one place.. now if it were the fall of Gondolin...

For me, the best part of it is actually that Christopher is clearly still going on pretty well and I salute him for putting what time he has left into this kind of thing when he could have signed a few licensing agreements and spent the past 45 years basking in the sun and drinking wine...

I do think his diligence as an editor may have spoilt me for other authors... while most of my Tolkien is in store I have been reading other things including rereading other beloved books of my childhood and realise that such consistency is far from universal.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I don't know that I will but it as it is my least favourite story of all (I really love Finrod and he gets dedded for THEM grrr) and I have all of HoME etc -also my special edition CoH has barely left its slipcase lest I spoil its beauty by reading it -but I think there is a place for this sort of thing for those who would be daunted by HoME or just want everything on a favourite story in one place...

Yeah, exactly. It's not a favourite story for me, but I think there's just more to it in the HOME than in The Sil and since I still haven't gotten around to reading HOME I probably won't. I really like COH, and I think it does add more to the story than what you get in The Sil, so that's what sold it to me.