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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Apr 17, 2008
Noah
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Though I liked the first Book of Lost Tales better, this one was still amazing. The stories in it not only give depth to the Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, but also as JRR Tolkien himself AND what being a human and an artist really means. Some of the work of both prose and poetry in this volume is equal in beauty to the most wonderfully beautiful pieces Tolkien himself published. Anyone who enjoys writing in any form should read these tales.
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Mar 19, 2011
Nicholas
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Second in the series edited by Christopher Tolkien. Here we are looking at two of the core stories of The Silmarillion, and several other narratives which were largely or completely set aside as Tolkien's work developed. I found the very first story, "The Tale of Tinúviel", particularly interesting. For the first time I was struck that it is a tale if love between one character with a short name starting with B and another with a longer name starting with T, whose father opposes the ro
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Aug 05, 2011
Mark
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As others have noted, this is the second book of collected material by Christopher Tolkien after the death of his father, released following The Silmarillion and The Book of Lost Tales, Part I. There are related stories to some of those in the Silmarillion, as well as tales of legends we've only heard mention of before, as well as material that was brand-new to me. Most of it concerns ages before the familiar Third Age of the trilogy. There's more of a chance to see how Tolkien developed his
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Sep 08, 2009
Gnufied
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For both the books JRR made it clear during his lifetime that he doesn't want to reveal mystique and history that's around LOTR.
These books are basically notes with abundant commentary from Christopher Tolkien. Some of the stories are already there in "The Silmarallian" or in appendix of LOTR. Still some stories are new. Slightly difficult read, but worth is for true JRR devotes.
These books are basically notes with abundant commentary from Christopher Tolkien. Some of the stories are already there in "The Silmarallian" or in appendix of LOTR. Still some stories are new. Slightly difficult read, but worth is for true JRR devotes.
Jan 21, 2010
Dave
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Compared to the first Book of Lost Tales (BoLT), BoLT #2 was quite a breath of fresh air.
The stories were more diverse, developed and exciting (than the first BoLT), and the commentary/annotation by Christopher Tolkien was easier to read. However, I think that's just because I knew what to expect from having read the first BoLT. I need to reiterate from my review of the first Book of Lost Tales:
If you're not a Tolkien freak, I wouldn't recommend this.
If you ar More...
The stories were more diverse, developed and exciting (than the first BoLT), and the commentary/annotation by Christopher Tolkien was easier to read. However, I think that's just because I knew what to expect from having read the first BoLT. I need to reiterate from my review of the first Book of Lost Tales:
If you're not a Tolkien freak, I wouldn't recommend this.
If you ar More...
Jun 11, 2010
Lisa
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This book offers a chance to expand on some of the stories contained in The Silmarillion and gives a glimpse into their creation. We are given the complete narratives of the Necklace of the Dwarves and the Fall of Gondolin – the latter should be read by those who believe that Glorfindel of Gondolin and Glorfindel of Rivendell to be the same Elf – as well as earlier drafts of some of Tolkien's more well-known stories from the First Age – Turin and the Dragon, Lúthien and Beren, and Eärendil. Th
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Aug 11, 2011
Kate
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Well worth reading for the Fall of Gondolin alone, since this is the only full account of this particular event in the First Age. With regards to Túrin Turambar, one would fare better I think reading the Narn i Hîn Húrin, unless specifically interested in the earliest conceptions of the legend. I was particularly captivated by the Land of Willows - Nan-tathren - mentioned in the third tale.
Jan 24, 2008
Antoine
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I found this book at the old Harvard Coop, in the fall of 1984, while my grandfather attended a Harvard football game. I had not heard it was coming out; I had not expected to find it; but I knew exactly what "The Book of Lost Tales" were, and I couldn't believe my good luck.
These are some of Tolkien's very earliest writings on Middle-Earth, and includes some the fullest and most detailed versions of his most important stories, e.g. "The Fall of Gondolin." It More...
These are some of Tolkien's very earliest writings on Middle-Earth, and includes some the fullest and most detailed versions of his most important stories, e.g. "The Fall of Gondolin." It More...
Apr 29, 2011
Andrew
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True epic and one which I will be digging into much more for my upcoming Tolkien research project. So many things I picked up this time and fun to explore with the Tolk-lings. Must explore poetry of Francis Thompson!!!
Mar 05, 2009
Matt
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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.
Jan 01, 2012
Jennifer
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I understand what Christopher Tolkein was trying to do with these. But, honestly, it's a confusing mess as best with names and details changed from what is "canon". I had thought to read more of these, but I think I'll just stick with the trilogy, "The Hobbit", and "The Similarion".
Nov 03, 2011
Artnoose
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Wow, I barely made it through this one. This is the second book of the mammoth series Christopher Tolkien compiled of all of his father's unfinished stories and drafts. Like book 1, this one was mostly the stories from the Silmarillion in their original draft form. I was excited to read the original Earendil story, but this was just some poems Tolkien had written about a character that doesn't bear a lot of resemblance to the final story in the Silmarillion. I'm not sure I'm going to continue on
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May 17, 2011
Wayne
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fascinating look into the development of the Middle-Earth mythology, and the alternate ideas that Tolkien had developed. really really interesting for a fan of the depth of history in Middle-Earth.
Dec 15, 2011
Michael
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Really liked this one even more than I thought. Already knew most of the tales, but the additional background was interesting, and the majesty of Tolkien's writing, even for things that never made it into any of his books and stories, is inspiring.
I wrote about the experience of reading all 12 of these volumes here: http://soundscryer.com/2011/06/13/christ... (part 1) and here: http://soundscryer.com/2011/12/02/christ... (part 2). Much more detail about the series in those two pieces More...
I wrote about the experience of reading all 12 of these volumes here: http://soundscryer.com/2011/06/13/christ... (part 1) and here: http://soundscryer.com/2011/12/02/christ... (part 2). Much more detail about the series in those two pieces More...
Oct 12, 2009
Chandra
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Part two is part two. As I said for the first give the Silmarillion a go before delving into this.
Dec 16, 2011
Renae
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Gives interesting insight on how Tolkien went about writing and revising his "mythology".
Jan 19, 2009
My mom was totally holding out on me. I found this in the back of her closet.
Aug 02, 2011
Elizabeth
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Maybe its just me but I found the Book of Lost Tales kinda confusing.
Mar 25, 2010
Jenn
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If you are going to read the Silmarillion, do not read this book (or Part one for that matter). This book contains some of the stories the Silmarillion has with pages and pages of notes from Christopher Tolkien about the changes and different version that were found.
While I am interested in the progress needed to write something of this magnitude, explaining every little change really pulled me out of the story.
While I am interested in the progress needed to write something of this magnitude, explaining every little change really pulled me out of the story.
Jan 31, 2011
Jen
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It was slow-going for me: I kept having to get back into the Middle-Earth mindset and it didn't help that I hadn't read Part I. Apparently, these are the precursors of the tales that show up in "The Silmarillion," so Tolkien's son Christopher wrote essays after each story detailing how names and events changed from the "lost" version to the final work.
Dec 28, 2011
Fwenx
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This book wraps up the story of The Book of Lost Tales, and makes you wish Tolkien had kept this build-up for the Silmarillion... Though at times more primitive and not always consistent, as Christopher Tolkien mentions, the magic remains and is in some parts even better than in the eventual Silmarillion.
Jun 08, 2011
Darrell
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The Book of Lost Tales contains rough drafts of stories that appear in The Silmarilian as well as some outlines of stories Tolkien never finished with commentary by his son. It was fun to read in places, but I ultimately found it to be a waste of time.
Mar 05, 2009
Ian
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A great way to continue on in the world of Tolkien when you feel sad and lost that there are so few complete works of his. Every little bit helps. Alot of information in these post mortem publications over-laps, at least its something.
Jan 17, 2008
St-Michel
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Again, Tolkien...I love it. The Lost Tales: brilliant insight into the very beginning of Tolkien's creation. It's just unbelievable the depth and scope he put into just his back history - and even that seems to have a back history.
Dec 22, 2010
Jim
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This is mostly for Tolkien scholars. Christopher pieces together abandoned stories and alternate versions from his father's notes. Very little of Part Two is likely to appeal to the casual reader.
