The Book of Lost Tales was the first major work of imagination by J.R.R. Tolkien, begun in 1916-17 when he was twenty-five years old and left incom...
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Dec 18, 2010
Nicholas
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http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1581275.html
The Book of Lost Tales was published in 1983, interpreted from a series of longhand notebooks started by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1917, as later interpreted by his son Christopher. Tolkien's series of linked short stories were written in his spare time from his academic career and family obligations; once he decided to abandon the Lost Tales and start over, he probably did not expect that they would ever see the light of day - this is essentially a pr More...
The Book of Lost Tales was published in 1983, interpreted from a series of longhand notebooks started by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1917, as later interpreted by his son Christopher. Tolkien's series of linked short stories were written in his spare time from his academic career and family obligations; once he decided to abandon the Lost Tales and start over, he probably did not expect that they would ever see the light of day - this is essentially a pr More...
Mar 29, 2010
Neha
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 24, 2011
Artnoose
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I had thought that this book was a bunch of stories in the Tolkien mythology that had never been published. It was only after picking this book up at the library that I discovered what it actually is. After his father died, Christopher Tolkien first compiled, edited, and published The Silmarillion and then later made this twelve volume (yes, twelve!) set of what is essentially all of his father's unpublished and generally unfinished writings.
This first book is what eventually was re More...
This first book is what eventually was re More...
Jan 05, 2011
RE
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The degree to which you enjoy this book will depend on exactly how much you like Tolkien. Unlike The Silmarillion, this piece, as with the rest of the books in these series, is comprised of fragments of text cobbled together by JRR Tolkien's son Christopher, with Christopher's notes on the evolution of the material. It will give you insight into Tolkien's process of writing. And it will show you the various directions Tolkien was headed in whilst writing the Silmarillion. And yes, there is gre
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Oct 02, 2011
Jane
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I've only read one other History of Middle-earth volume, although the set has been on my "to read" list for decades. I finally read The Book of Lost Tales part 1. It provides background on the tales that went on to become the Simarillion. I am not a fan of the Silmarillion; I agree with the person who said it's like reading a phone book written in Elvish. Although I was not bored by the background, I was not fascinated either. I'm one of those readers (obviously) who is happy to enjoy
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Jul 20, 2011
Tori
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If you are even a little bit curious about the history of Middle Earth, this is an essential volume. This, along with part 2, elucidate some of the more obscure mythological beginnings of Arda. The commentary section at the end of each 'chapter' is very enlightening both linguistically and in terms of the development of certain motifs that crop up in Tolkien's works.
I would suggest reading this after The Silmarillion (which is considered the polished product of the tales in these volumes). More...
I would suggest reading this after The Silmarillion (which is considered the polished product of the tales in these volumes). More...
Jan 24, 2012
Nicole
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I thought I’d give this book a try since I love both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, and wanted to get some of the backstory.
This book isn’t what I expected. In fact, the book was far different than what I thought it would be. I expected some of the folklore and mythology of Middle Earth, which it was, at least to an extend. However, the “lost tales” were compiled by Tolkien’s son Christopher, who tried to make sense of the notes that his father left behind.
Each ch More...
This book isn’t what I expected. In fact, the book was far different than what I thought it would be. I expected some of the folklore and mythology of Middle Earth, which it was, at least to an extend. However, the “lost tales” were compiled by Tolkien’s son Christopher, who tried to make sense of the notes that his father left behind.
Each ch More...
Feb 21, 2011
Isil
rated it: 
The History of Middle-earth (souvent abrégé en HoMe) ou Histoire de la Terre du Milieu est une collection de douze volumes regroupant les premiers textes de Tolkien, commentées par son fils et éditeur Christopher Tolkien.
Les deux premiers tomes, The Book of lost tales (Le livre des Contes perdus), sont consacrés à l’histoire du Premier Âge des Grandes Terres (qui deviendront finalement la fameuse Middle-earth, la Terre du Milieu). C’est à partir des dernières réécritures de ces ébauch More...
Les deux premiers tomes, The Book of lost tales (Le livre des Contes perdus), sont consacrés à l’histoire du Premier Âge des Grandes Terres (qui deviendront finalement la fameuse Middle-earth, la Terre du Milieu). C’est à partir des dernières réécritures de ces ébauch More...
Jan 21, 2010
Dave
rated it:
Don't pick this up unless you were very bummed about finishing the Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, the Silmarillion, and other greats -- and are craving more. So much that you're willing to essentially sit back in a college-level literary analysis course.
The stories are magical, and definitely "Tolkienesque", but at times it can be a tough read.
That's primarily because most of what Christopher Tolkien (J.R.R.'s son) used to put this -- not to mention the rest of More...
The stories are magical, and definitely "Tolkienesque", but at times it can be a tough read.
That's primarily because most of what Christopher Tolkien (J.R.R.'s son) used to put this -- not to mention the rest of More...
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Aug 05, 2011
Christie
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For serious Tolkien fans, this is a must-read. For those who only liked the movies, this is not the book for you! Christopher Tolkien's scholarly approach is sometimes meticulous to the point of tedious, but I'm sure we all appreciate his care to present his father's work accurately and in context. I was left in even greater awe of Tolkien's genius and immediately began reading The Book of Lost Tales Vol. II.
May 11, 2009
Gavin
rated it:
Barely worth reading, even if I did struggle through this and part 2. Too much Tolkien Jnr., who in my not so very humble opinion couldn't write himself out of a box, and not enough Tolkien Snr., who could.
I went no further in the books cobbled together by Tolkien Jnr. after volume 2 of The Book of Lost Tales. I never intend to do so. Save your money.
If you must read them either borrow them or steal them.
I went no further in the books cobbled together by Tolkien Jnr. after volume 2 of The Book of Lost Tales. I never intend to do so. Save your money.
If you must read them either borrow them or steal them.
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Dec 05, 2010
Jim
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Pretty much what the Book of Genesis would say if it were written about Tolkien's Middle Earth. Religious skeptics point out that on the first day The Lord said "Let there be light." And on the fourth day He created the Sun and the Moon. Where was the light coming from on the first three days? There's no need to ask if you're talking about Middle Earth. This book spells out that story in great detail. If you're looking for Hobbits, forget it. Christopher's books are for Tolkien
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Feb 03, 2012
Right now the The book of Lost Tales is about many of the early writings of J.R.R Tolkien. The first couple of chapters are about the history of middle Earth, the elves and how they came to middle Earth. It also Is goi ng to talk about the corruption of some of the elves and how the orcs and other things came to be. It also talks about how J.R.R Tolkien came up with the Ideas of the elves middle Earth the orcs Goblins and dwarvs.
Jan 25, 2008
Patrick
rated it:
It's really impossible to rate this book. If you are a hardcore Tolkien fan, I think you'll love it. If you thought The Silmarillion was a difficult read, you'll probably want to skip this one.
Basically, this book is a printing of Tolkein's early drafts of tales that eventually came to comprise the Silmarillion, along with his son Christopher's commentary. Much of this material was ultimately rejected in the final versions, and there were some major changes to much of the material.
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Basically, this book is a printing of Tolkein's early drafts of tales that eventually came to comprise the Silmarillion, along with his son Christopher's commentary. Much of this material was ultimately rejected in the final versions, and there were some major changes to much of the material.
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Dec 17, 2009
Ratiocination
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More of a scholarly read than a strictly fictional one. This is a heavily-annotated earlier version of what eventually became the Silmarillion. The interest is mostly in seeing how the work developed, though there are a few places where this early draft is much more thorough than the later notes Christopher Tolkien built the published Silmarillion from. His father had still been working on the book at the time of his death; some parts were just brief accounts of the plot, a framework to be built
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Jan 15, 2012
Sa
rated it:
I love Tolkien but sometimes reading his books is like reading a text book. It is packed with so much history and reference that it makes it difficult to read and hard to find any flow. I suppose that is the price to pay when you are the one who created the entire realm of fantasy fro which all other authors take from.
Jul 18, 2009
Dawson
rated it:
Fun and interesting if you're into Middle Earth enough to dedicate the time to it, but it is dry and literary, not fun and story-like as the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings were. Fascinating stuff if you can make it through it.
Jul 06, 2007
M.kenosian
rated it:
I'm still reading this book. In some ways, I like it much better than the 3 star rating would indicate. Still, the book has a lot of 1st draft qualities, and feels artificial, especially compared with LOTR, and even the Silmarillion.
What makes it fascinating is to see the textual variants, and the way that Tolkien was constructing his languages and names even as he wrote his books.
It's work keeping track of the names, some change between the Lost Tales and the Silmarillio More...
What makes it fascinating is to see the textual variants, and the way that Tolkien was constructing his languages and names even as he wrote his books.
It's work keeping track of the names, some change between the Lost Tales and the Silmarillio More...
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Jun 20, 2011
This was the last of Tolkien's that I read. I find it only moderately interesting to know that there are draft versions of stories that Tolkien was working on from the teens of the 20th century. One for a particular kind of specialised reader.
Oct 16, 2011
Fwenx
rated it:
Pretty much the only reason this has 4 stars for me instead of 5 is because it is so much that it is just very hard to get through. It is hard to get into a story when you're constantly looking for the explanations of the footnotes, or remembering the references made of things in earlier stories. It is much to fathom, but if you're really, really just as much of a geek as I am... you'll absolutely love every second of it. I know so much more now of everything that has to do with Tolkien's mythol
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Jul 06, 2010
Eric
rated it:
This is not a book. This is an encyclopedia with annotations, etc. Stay away if you actually want written prose. Read it if you're writing an English essay and need a reference.
Mar 05, 2009
Matt
rated it:
All of the supplemental books to the LoTR give interesting back story to the world Tolkein created. The individual parts in the book are interesting to greater or lesser degrees.
Feb 04, 2009
Crazy Uncle Ryan
rated it:
Well, I ain’t gonna lie to ya; this is a really tough book to read. As I read the reviews of this book that have already been posted I feel a bit like a broken record but, this book is really just for very die-hard Tolkien fans. It’s not easy to follow sometimes and Christopher Tolkien’s commentary is definitely not light reading. However, if you are big fan of Tolkien it does give a great amount of insight into the evolution of the Middle-earth mythology. I think it’s pretty cool to see wha
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Aug 05, 2011
It took me forever to finish it....but it was so worth it! loved it like i do all of tolkien's writings. fascinating to see the development of the stories over time.
Nov 25, 2010
Manuela
rated it:
Presa dalla frenesia per Tolkien, ho letto tutti i suoi romanzi uno dietro l'altro, senza tregua. Sempre affascinanti, ma giudicati a posteriori anche leggermente noiosi...
Oct 12, 2009
Chandra
rated it:
More histories from Professor T. Best to read the Silmarillion first. If you like that then this will be a nice treat for you. If you didn't don't bother.
Aug 21, 2008
Michael
rated it:
The stories in this book were great, but the way the book presented the stories was just too "difficult" for me to read. I enjoy free flowing stories, but there was just too many interruptions during the stories that it caused me to lose my focus on numerous occassions. The synopsis parts were helpful, but all the other add ins to explain things should have been placed in the back of the book. My friend bought me the first five volumes of this series and I'm afraid they will all be
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Dec 16, 2011
Renae
rated it:
Good for those who are interesting in Tolkien's creative processes, otherwise it's merely a rough draft of The Silmarillion.
Feb 04, 2009
Missy
rated it:
Good look into the history of Middle Earth. Would be more enjoyable as a book without commentary from Christopher Tolkien.
Jan 24, 2008
Antoine
rated it:
Although this is the first book in the sweeping and dense History of Middle-Earth series, it does not contain either the earliest written or the most exciting material from the very early Book of Lost Tales material, begun during the Great War of 1914-18, while JRRT was still in uniform. That material (including some incredibly detailed material about the falls of Gondolin and Doriath that Tolkien never really updated or rewrote) is to be found in vol. 2. This material (in vol. 1) is more cosm
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