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32nd out of 58 books
—
91 voters
The Lays of Beleriand (The History of Middle-earth #3)
This is the third volume of the History of Middle-earth, which comprises here-tofore unpublished manuscripts that were written over a period of many years before Tolkien's Simlarillion was published. Volumes 1 and 2 were the Book of Lost Tales, Part One and The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two. Together, these volumes encompass an extraordinarily extensive body of material orn...more
Hardcover, 393 pages
Published
November 20th 1985
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(first published 1985)
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Nov 25, 2007
X
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Tolkienites, Tolkienologists and students of midieval poetry
I don't completely agree with the synopsis of this book on this website. It is certainly a "treasure trove of lore", but I was never aware that Turin was looking for his father, and "the dark destiny" of Turin and Beleg is quite an understatement. But, The Lay of Leithian *does* have a hero! :)
I nearly gave this book 4 stars, but decided on 5, more for what could have been than what is actually in the book. It's not LOTR, by any means, but it could have rivaled it if Tolkien had ever written a...more
I nearly gave this book 4 stars, but decided on 5, more for what could have been than what is actually in the book. It's not LOTR, by any means, but it could have rivaled it if Tolkien had ever written a...more
An extensive & remarkable insight into the creation of Middle-Earth, captured in this comprehensive volume of a series.
This is the third volume within the collection of books that make up ‘the history of Middle-Earth’ which delves into JRR Tolkien’s great creation behind The Silmarillion, the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. This fascinating, detailed insight delves into the mythology of his work, through the alliterative verse tales of two of the most significant and crucial stories in To...more
This is the third volume within the collection of books that make up ‘the history of Middle-Earth’ which delves into JRR Tolkien’s great creation behind The Silmarillion, the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. This fascinating, detailed insight delves into the mythology of his work, through the alliterative verse tales of two of the most significant and crucial stories in To...more
1 like · like · see review
This will be my 12-volume write-up of the entire series "The History of Middle Earth".
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This series is ONLY for the hardcore Tolkien fanatic. Predominantly written by
JRR's son, based on JRR's notes on the creation of The Silmarilion and
The Lord of the Rings (much less on The Hobbit). It is somewhat interesting to
see the evolution of the story (for example, "Strider" was originally conceived as
a Hobbit (one of tho...more
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This series is ONLY for the hardcore Tolkien fanatic. Predominantly written by
JRR's son, based on JRR's notes on the creation of The Silmarilion and
The Lord of the Rings (much less on The Hobbit). It is somewhat interesting to
see the evolution of the story (for example, "Strider" was originally conceived as
a Hobbit (one of tho...more
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1693204...
This is the third volume of the History of Middle Earth; it contains two unfinished poems tackling the two key narratives of the Silmarillion. The first, a version of the tale of Turin told in alliterative blank verse, did not really appeal to me, and while I can see why Tolkien, with his background, wanted to give it a try, it's not very surprising that the effort did not come off. The Lay of Leithian, however, is a different matter - telling the story of...more
This is the third volume of the History of Middle Earth; it contains two unfinished poems tackling the two key narratives of the Silmarillion. The first, a version of the tale of Turin told in alliterative blank verse, did not really appeal to me, and while I can see why Tolkien, with his background, wanted to give it a try, it's not very surprising that the effort did not come off. The Lay of Leithian, however, is a different matter - telling the story of...more
It's never quite accurate to categorize Tolkien as a "modern" novelist. He certainly did not match the trends of his time, and modern readers often struggle with his antique style, antique in the sense he is out of time by centuries. Tolkien is not exactly prose writer, he's really an out of place bard, and in his poetry especially you see his true skill as an author. To me "The Lay of Beleriand", which includes the unfinished epic poems of the the Lay of Leithian and the Children of Hurin, is T...more
Anyone who truly enjoys the works of JRR Tolkien will like this. Much of the story of Beren and Luthien is told here in prose. Their story is my favorite that is told in the The Silmarillion and being told in prose is beautiful. This book also has some of the earlier stories such as Thingol and Melian as well as further information about the construction and changes that these stories underwent. Much of the commentary can be skipped and the stories themselves enjoyed as they are.
Even though the poetry in this volume is incomplete, it is well worth reading. It beautifully retells portions of stories found in "The Silmarillion"...most notably about 1/3 of the tragic lives of the children of Hurin and 3/4 of the love/adventure story of Beren the mortal man and Luthien the immortal elf. The poems are some of J. R. R. Tolkien's earlier writings so some names and events do differ slightly from the later "Silmarillion" version of the stories.
The editorial commentary by Christo...more
The editorial commentary by Christo...more
I love this book. It's really magical to see these stories in this way, epic poems that really bring these corners of the Tolkien mythology to life. And faithfully recreated Old English metres, at that. You can almost imagine some travelling bard reciting these over a couple of nights in some lordly lord's hall.
I've read this before, and usually, I'll end up skipping over a lot of the commentary and notes, as it detracts a bit from the magic. This time, though, I read it nearly cover to cover. I...more
I've read this before, and usually, I'll end up skipping over a lot of the commentary and notes, as it detracts a bit from the magic. This time, though, I read it nearly cover to cover. I...more
This book's main attraction is Part III, “The Lay of Leithian,” the first draft of which runs for fourteen cantos and 4,220 lines. This is followed by a second draft, which I think to be superior poetry but which only runs for three cantos. It is, of course, the grand epic verse account of a story that was very dear to Tolkien's heart: that of Beren and Luthien.
Read the rest of my review at my blog, In Which I Read Vintage Novels
Read the rest of my review at my blog, In Which I Read Vintage Novels
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book differs from the other volumes of Tolkien's history in that it is primarily poetry. Because of that, I loved it. Tolkien isn't the best poet in the world, but because of the subject matter, who cares. He does want he does and does it better than anyone else ever did it. 'nuff said. Get the book and start reading. You'll never be able to say you are Tolkien's #1 fan until you polish off this book.
Harder to get through than the other volumes of the History so far, but well worth it once I got into the stories themselves. Anxious to continue the journey through the rest of them; his son's dedication and ability to sift through all the background material is staggering, and while some of the commentary is repetitive (understandable, given that the main stories here exist in at least 3 or 4 other versions throughout the Tolkien canon,) I learn something new with every reading. Not recommende...more
Jan 15, 2013
Gabe Dybing
added it
More good Tolkienania! I actually enjoyed these long poems. I can see how they can be difficult for the average reader, and for the above-average reader they're not always convincing. But hey! they weren't finished! As they are I enjoyed them about in the way I enjoy Beowulf and poems like it, and I appreciate the additional light on Tolkien's work and process.
The first two Book of Lost Tales warm you up to the series, and this is a great gem to work your way toward.
It took my 1/10th the time to read this from cover-to-cover than the previous two books combined, because the stories/lays (poems) were longer, more developed and more reminiscent of the "feel" of the Lord of the Rings.
When the annotations stopped and the stories began, I could not put this down.
As usual with this series, you have to be a Tolkien nut to appreciate what Christopher Tolkien...more
It took my 1/10th the time to read this from cover-to-cover than the previous two books combined, because the stories/lays (poems) were longer, more developed and more reminiscent of the "feel" of the Lord of the Rings.
When the annotations stopped and the stories began, I could not put this down.
As usual with this series, you have to be a Tolkien nut to appreciate what Christopher Tolkien...more
For an in-depth look at the history of Middle Earth from start to finish, this is the third one to read in "The History of Middle Earth" series of books, edited by Christopher Tolkien. An interesting look into Tolkien's creative genius at work! :-) This one is made more interesting because it is full of poetry in a style that Tolkien excelled at!
Though, as a fan of Middle-Earth I've been enjoying this book immensely, it may not be limited to Hobbit groupies. The contents of this book had not been published at the time of Tolkien's death but it is easy to see how they add to the lore of Middle earth, expanding on the Silmarillion in long lays of simple but beautiful heroic couplets.
It can also be interesting to examine Tolkien's poetry from the perspective of his literary background such as his experience with Old English poetry such as...more
It can also be interesting to examine Tolkien's poetry from the perspective of his literary background such as his experience with Old English poetry such as...more
The Lays of Beleriand is (so far) my favorite book in the History of Middle-Earth series. The majority of the book is taken up by two poems - the first covering the story of Turin and the second covering Beren and Luthien. Both are incomplete which is a crying shame because they're both incredibly beautiful poems. Christopher Tolkien's commentary is informative and clearly a labour of love. His commitment to his father's creation is touching and a great gift to all Tolkien fans, providing us wit...more
My expectations for this book of Lays were far exceeded. I read both poems aloud to myself, and was moved by the beauty of the verse. The Lay of Leithian came to ~ 4175 lines, arranged in octosyllabic couplets, whilst the Lay of the Children of Húrin was written in alliterative verse, which I'd never encountered before. A true joy to read.
Summary
My goal for 2013 is to finish the Middle-Earth Universe of books. While doing so I will be following The Tolkien Professor Lectures.
My goal for 2013 is to finish the Middle-Earth Universe of books. While doing so I will be following The Tolkien Professor Lectures.
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.
Containing the Lay of Luthien, which is one of my personal favorites. A truly beautiful work, written in poetic form with a very interesting commentary at the end of each section.
One of my less favoured volumes of the HoME, largely due to my general lack of sensibility regarding poetry.
This has some of the best of Tolkien's poetry; both in alerterative verse and in rhyming couplets.
Jan 03, 2010
Stephen Smith
added it
The Lays of Beleriand (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 3) by J.R.R. Tolkien (1994)
3 stars just because it's so darn difficult to read this kind of poetry...
pretty good, but can get really technical
can this be qualified as "good obsession"?
This book contains the best poems I have ever read. I've always loved Tolkien, but his poetry out does his prose this time. None of the poems are finished, unfortunately, but what is extant is simply amazing. I haven't had this much pleasure reading a book, let alone reading poetry, in a very, very long time, probably not since I actually read the Silmarillion and the Lord of the Rings.
Jan 03, 2013
Yin
added it
I can't believe I got through this.
Silmarillion + Epic Poetry = FAVORITE
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| too many editorial notes! | 2 | 9 | Apr 16, 2008 02:08pm |
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE, was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the high fantasy classic works
The Hobbit
and
The Lord of the Rings
.
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, and Merton Professor of English language and literature from 1945 to 1959. He was a close friend of C.S. Lewis.
Ch...more
More about J.R.R. Tolkien...
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, and Merton Professor of English language and literature from 1945 to 1959. He was a close friend of C.S. Lewis.
Ch...more
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More quizzes & trivia...
“As a lord was held
for the strength of his body and stoutness of heart.
Much lore he learned, and loved wisdom
but fortune followed him in few desires;
oft wrong and awry what he wrought turned;
what he loved he lost, what he longed for he won not;
and full friendship he found not easily,
nor was lightly loved for his looks were sad.
He was gloom-hearted, and glad seldom
for the sundering sorrow that filled his youth...
(On Turin Turambar - The Children of Hurin)”
—
4 people liked it
for the strength of his body and stoutness of heart.
Much lore he learned, and loved wisdom
but fortune followed him in few desires;
oft wrong and awry what he wrought turned;
what he loved he lost, what he longed for he won not;
and full friendship he found not easily,
nor was lightly loved for his looks were sad.
He was gloom-hearted, and glad seldom
for the sundering sorrow that filled his youth...
(On Turin Turambar - The Children of Hurin)”
“Now it befell on summer night,
upon a lawn where lingering light
yet lay and faded faint and grey,
that Luthien danced while he did play
…
and this the moon now looked upon,
uprisen slow, and round, and white,
above the branches of the night.
Then clearly thrilled her voice and rang;
with sudden ecstasy she sang
a song of nightingales she learned
and with her elvish magic turned
to such bewildering delight
the moon hung moveless in the night.
And this it was that Beren heard,
and this he saw, without a word,
enchanted dumb, yet filled with fire
of such wonder and desire
that all his mortal mind was dim;
her magic bound and fettered him,
and faint he leaned against a tree.
Forwandered, wayworn, gaunt was he,
his body sick and heart grown cold,
grey in his hair, his youth turned old;
for those that tread that lonely way
a price of woe and anguish pay.
And now his heart was healed and slain
with a new life and with new pain.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
upon a lawn where lingering light
yet lay and faded faint and grey,
that Luthien danced while he did play
…
and this the moon now looked upon,
uprisen slow, and round, and white,
above the branches of the night.
Then clearly thrilled her voice and rang;
with sudden ecstasy she sang
a song of nightingales she learned
and with her elvish magic turned
to such bewildering delight
the moon hung moveless in the night.
And this it was that Beren heard,
and this he saw, without a word,
enchanted dumb, yet filled with fire
of such wonder and desire
that all his mortal mind was dim;
her magic bound and fettered him,
and faint he leaned against a tree.
Forwandered, wayworn, gaunt was he,
his body sick and heart grown cold,
grey in his hair, his youth turned old;
for those that tread that lonely way
a price of woe and anguish pay.
And now his heart was healed and slain
with a new life and with new pain.”
Nov 26, 2007 08:25am
Nov 26, 2007 09:24am