What exactly is the History of Middle Earth about? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 09-20-2006, 03:52 AM

HoMe also satisfies readers' curiosity in that it has extra text which follows on fromt he end of LotR but was not included, and Tolkien's attempts at a fourth age tale, so it's a kind of literary 'pudding' in a way. Gives you that little bit more.

Also if you're interested in background info on the nature of Elves etc you will find some fascinating stuff in HoMe. My fave volume is 10.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 09-20-2006, 05:29 AM

My favourite is The Lost Road and other writings (vol. 5), because it's very philological in its focus. It contains extracts from Tolkien's lectures on Beowulf, yet more Old English, early versions of Ainulindalë and some very interesting tie-ins with early Germanic legend; not to mention the fascinating early etymologies of Tolkien's languages.

I agree with davem about the content. There are points in the History of The Lord of the Rings where one's mind almost sinks under the weight of endlessly repeated drafts of the same passages; but Sharkû found out on which finger Frodo wore the One Ring from a footnote in HoME IX, so you can't afford to discount them. In my opinion HoME contains Tolkien's best writing; and Christopher Tolkien's commentary and notes provide a wealth of knowledge and understanding. The Lays of Beleriand contains some beautiful (and some rather imperfect) verse, and the gems that are C.S. Lewis' comments on The Lay of Leithian. All in all, it's difficult to sum the whole series up in few words, but certainly it represents an unique achievement. Almost everything that was Tolkien's writing is represented: poetry, prose, the baroque, the fantastic, the comic and the scholarly; and, of course, those sections in Old English (in one instance, Old English written in Tengwar). There's something there for everyone, but I doubt that everyone will want to read through the whole series. In my opinion it's worth the cost of the paperbacks just to find out which parts you like.

Morgoth Bauglir · 09-20-2006, 09:40 PM

the only reason i didnt like it because it wasn't what happend. As in, it was neat to see where his ideas came from, aside from being really boring (at least the first), but none of that happened. It ended up being different. So are they ALL in past tense, like they never came to be, or are some things further explanations of the present? Or even of the future that did take place would be good.

Lalwendë · 09-21-2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgoth Bauglir

the only reason i didnt like it because it wasn't what happend. As in, it was neat to see where his ideas came from, aside from being really boring (at least the first), but none of that happened. It ended up being different. So are they ALL in past tense, like they never came to be, or are some things further explanations of the present? Or even of the future that did take place would be good.

No it's not all drafts, but there is plenty of supplementary info on things like Elven lifestyles, e.g. marriage, children, what happens when Elves are 'killed'. There are also the unused passages about Sam's family long after the War of the Ring, and an abandoned fourth age tale.

09-20-2006, 03:52 AM	#1
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	HoMe also satisfies readers' curiosity in that it has extra text which follows on fromt he end of LotR but was not included, and Tolkien's attempts at a fourth age tale, so it's a kind of literary 'pudding' in a way. Gives you that little bit more. Also if you're interested in background info on the nature of Elves etc you will find some fascinating stuff in HoMe. My fave volume is 10. __________________ Gordon's alive!

09-20-2006, 05:29 AM	#2
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	What isn't HoME about? My favourite is The Lost Road and other writings (vol. 5), because it's very philological in its focus. It contains extracts from Tolkien's lectures on Beowulf, yet more Old English, early versions of Ainulindalë and some very interesting tie-ins with early Germanic legend; not to mention the fascinating early etymologies of Tolkien's languages. I agree with davem about the content. There are points in the History of The Lord of the Rings where one's mind almost sinks under the weight of endlessly repeated drafts of the same passages; but Sharkû found out on which finger Frodo wore the One Ring from a footnote in HoME IX, so you can't afford to discount them. In my opinion HoME contains Tolkien's best writing; and Christopher Tolkien's commentary and notes provide a wealth of knowledge and understanding. The Lays of Beleriand contains some beautiful (and some rather imperfect) verse, and the gems that are C.S. Lewis' comments on The Lay of Leithian. All in all, it's difficult to sum the whole series up in few words, but certainly it represents an unique achievement. Almost everything that was Tolkien's writing is represented: poetry, prose, the baroque, the fantastic, the comic and the scholarly; and, of course, those sections in Old English (in one instance, Old English written in Tengwar). There's something there for everyone, but I doubt that everyone will want to read through the whole series. In my opinion it's worth the cost of the paperbacks just to find out which parts you like. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne? Last edited by The Squatter of Amon Rûdh; 09-20-2006 at 10:13 AM. Reason: Style, grammar, punctuation. The usual

09-20-2006, 09:40 PM	#3
Morgoth Bauglir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 252	the only reason i didnt like it because it wasn't what happend. As in, it was neat to see where his ideas came from, aside from being really boring (at least the first), but none of that happened. It ended up being different. So are they ALL in past tense, like they never came to be, or are some things further explanations of the present? Or even of the future that did take place would be good.