The three books in that set are retellings of stories already found in The Silmarillion. The Silmarillion versions are shorter, these versions have been fleshed out. As Brian says, your mileage may vary with these extended edits. I’ve only read The Children of Hurin so far.
And also, reading this book made me realize how insanely powerful Luthien was. She could use her magic to dance and sing and lull Morgoth and his court full of Balrogs and other dark creatures to sleep. So much stronger than even Galadriel. Had she wished it, she could probably have become some sort of High Queen of all elves. But she was so gentle and humble and only wished for a peaceful life with her Beren. And I think there's a beautiful symbolism in this that says "It's more than alright to reach for what you want, and not greedily take everything you can get"
Beren and Luthien was also my favorite story in The Silmarillion. I've read it many times. I can't imagine the story being written any better than that. Thanks for your honest review of the new version.
BTW, Gnomes are a type of Elf now known as the Noldor, and Beren was one of them only in the earliest version of the story, back when Sauron was a giant evil kitty.
I had somewhat hoped the book would be a much longer version of the story, like the Children of Hurin. But I came to like the book on the very things you disliked it for. I loved to read about the extra lore and thoughts Tolkien had about the story, what changed and what remained from version to version and a bit of what happened after between the dwarves and their son.
Beren and Luthien is my favourite chapter in The Silmarillion so far. Of the three Great Tales, I have only read The Children of Hurin so far. Great review.
If you can get into the poetry, I think it's an amazing way to experience the story, and it's quite close to what was told in the Silmarillion, just with more words and a few names are different. Unfortunately Tolkien never finished it; it covers most of the story, but when they get done with Melkor you have to switch over to the Silmarillion's prose version to finish it. Also, for whatever reason, this volume doesn't have all of the extant poem, so if you want to do that, you gotta get "the History of Middle Earth vol. 3: the Lays of Beleriand" (which will also give you an unfinished poetic "Children of Hurin"). I'm not big into poetry in general, but I found Tolkien's very readable!
the last few reviews I have watched of yours, you said you hadn't been too into the books, that's some fresh air different than the reviewers who only seem to like EVERYTHING. I dig and listen to you Durfee. I have been reading The Westies by T.J. English, I think you would like that one buddy. Keep up the good honest work
I agree with you 100%. I love Tolkein, however I really won't be buying or collecting any of these series. Having said that, I dd buy Children of Hurin, only because it was a 1st/1st signed and inscribed book. I do love me a signed 1st edition... what can I say... its a thing.
I was so fortunate my cross country coach and sophomore year English teacher was a Tolkien fanatic think he wrote his masters in Tolkien first part of the year was fellowship and the silmarillion it was awesome Holy crap just seeing the cards did they come out in the late 90s I think I had them After Tolkien my teacher made us read mary shelly Frankenstein and moby dick and I struggled with those books I was so hard core into fantasy I wouldn't give anything else a chance
Do you like our chances against Pittsburg, Christmas eve? Are you old enough to remember the Immaculate reception?. I was seven, I remember it like yesterday, cried like a baby, still not over it,I Hate Pittsburgh!
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The three books in that set are retellings of stories already found in The Silmarillion. The Silmarillion versions are shorter, these versions have been fleshed out. As Brian says, your mileage may vary with these extended edits. I’ve only read The Children of Hurin so far.
And also, reading this book made me realize how insanely powerful Luthien was. She could use her magic to dance and sing and lull Morgoth and his court full of Balrogs and other dark creatures to sleep. So much stronger than even Galadriel. Had she wished it, she could probably have become some sort of High Queen of all elves. But she was so gentle and humble and only wished for a peaceful life with her Beren.
And I think there's a beautiful symbolism in this that says "It's more than alright to reach for what you want, and not greedily take everything you can get"
The artwork on those cards is beautiful.
oh man what an assignment. the most beautiful in any universe. you should have sent them a painting of Medusa.
Beren and Luthien was also my favorite story in The Silmarillion. I've read it many times. I can't imagine the story being written any better than that. Thanks for your honest review of the new version.
BTW, Gnomes are a type of Elf now known as the Noldor, and Beren was one of them only in the earliest version of the story, back when Sauron was a giant evil kitty.
I had somewhat hoped the book would be a much longer version of the story, like the Children of Hurin.
But I came to like the book on the very things you disliked it for. I loved to read about the extra lore and thoughts Tolkien had about the story, what changed and what remained from version to version and a bit of what happened after between the dwarves and their son.
Beren and Luthien is my favourite chapter in The Silmarillion so far. Of the three Great Tales, I have only read The Children of Hurin so far.
Great review.
If you can get into the poetry, I think it's an amazing way to experience the story, and it's quite close to what was told in the Silmarillion, just with more words and a few names are different. Unfortunately Tolkien never finished it; it covers most of the story, but when they get done with Melkor you have to switch over to the Silmarillion's prose version to finish it. Also, for whatever reason, this volume doesn't have all of the extant poem, so if you want to do that, you gotta get "the History of Middle Earth vol. 3: the Lays of Beleriand" (which will also give you an unfinished poetic "Children of Hurin"). I'm not big into poetry in general, but I found Tolkien's very readable!
the last few reviews I have watched of yours, you said you hadn't been too into the books, that's some fresh air different than the reviewers who only seem to like EVERYTHING. I dig and listen to you Durfee. I have been reading The Westies by T.J. English, I think you would like that one buddy. Keep up the good honest work
Amazing Fantastic Incredible
I agree with you 100%. I love Tolkein, however I really won't be buying or collecting any of these series. Having said that, I dd buy Children of Hurin, only because it was a 1st/1st signed and inscribed book. I do love me a signed 1st edition... what can I say... its a thing.
I was so fortunate my cross country coach and sophomore year English teacher was a Tolkien fanatic think he wrote his masters in Tolkien first part of the year was fellowship and the silmarillion it was awesome
Holy crap just seeing the cards did they come out in the late 90s I think I had them
After Tolkien my teacher made us read mary shelly Frankenstein and moby dick and I struggled with those books I was so hard core into fantasy I wouldn't give anything else a chance
Marcus Allen 👍
Do you like our chances against Pittsburg, Christmas eve? Are you old enough to remember the Immaculate reception?.
I was seven, I remember it like yesterday, cried like a baby, still not over it,I Hate Pittsburgh!
Cash Grab…Plain and simple…Period