The New Shadow-Tolkien's abandoned book - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Manelwen · 05-22-2002, 07:35 PM

I was reading an interesting article about a book that Tolkien started but didn't finish. It was based after Lord of the Rings, in the fourth age. It talked a lot about cults that were Morgothian, and purging them from the city of Minas Tirith. No elves. Just the humans.

Well, I wondered what would have happened if he had completed the book? Would you have read it?

-Manelwen

Astaldotathrawen · 05-22-2002, 07:50 PM

I probably would have. I mean, I like the elves and dwarves and everything. And for one, I adore the hobbits. But the actual Men in The Lord of the Rings were really cool. Without them the story would have been a little empty. I havn't read that story yet, but it sounds interesting.

Quote:

"We hobbits ought to stick together, and we will. I shall go, unless they chain me up. There must be someone with intelligence in the Party."
---Peregrin "Pippen" Took

piosenniel · 05-22-2002, 08:04 PM

Can you share the source for this article you read?

Orald · 05-23-2002, 12:08 AM

The actual beginning of this 'new book' is in Peoples of Middle-Earth HoME 12, entitled The New Shadow.

It is very boring, and anyone that reads it can see why he abandonned it.

Manelwen · 05-23-2002, 11:38 AM

I guess it all depends on how you look at it, Durelen. I know when I read what little I did about it, I wanted to know more. I found my sources here. The person who wrote it, Michael Martinez, has some other really interesting articles as well.

-Manelwen

littlemanpoet · 05-23-2002, 11:46 AM

I also have read the story, and I found it to have that same feel of nameless evil terror that Tolkien was so good at depicting. The old man who was the protagonist was interesting, probably a little bit of Tolkien in him, and the plot looked like it was going to go somewhere interesting. But it would have been as Tolkien himself lamented, a mere thriller - a darn good one, I'd bet, but it would have pulled him away from the myths he loved. Still, I wish he would have written it. So put me down as having really enjoyed it.

Orald · 05-23-2002, 05:39 PM

I just love how MM makes so many assumptions with nothing to stand on.

QuickSlash · 05-23-2002, 07:34 PM

I would've read it, but not enjoyed it. Personally, I liked the non-human races a lot better. After all, Men in ME are nearly the same as all of us. I'm more interested in elves, hobbits, & dwarves than men. Just how I view fantasy.

Elven-Maiden · 05-23-2002, 07:47 PM

Oh I wanna read that!!!! Sounds intriguing! Thanx for the info! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

05-22-2002, 07:35 PM	#1
Manelwen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Alqualondë Posts: 78	The New Shadow-Tolkien's abandoned book I was reading an interesting article about a book that Tolkien started but didn't finish. It was based after Lord of the Rings, in the fourth age. It talked a lot about cults that were Morgothian, and purging them from the city of Minas Tirith. No elves. Just the humans. Well, I wondered what would have happened if he had completed the book? Would you have read it? -Manelwen __________________ Victory favors neither the righteous nor the wicked. It favors the prepared.

05-22-2002, 08:04 PM	#3
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,816	Can you share the source for this article you read? __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

05-23-2002, 11:38 AM	#5
Manelwen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Alqualondë Posts: 78	I guess it all depends on how you look at it, Durelen. I know when I read what little I did about it, I wanted to know more. I found my sources here. The person who wrote it, Michael Martinez, has some other really interesting articles as well. -Manelwen __________________ Victory favors neither the righteous nor the wicked. It favors the prepared.

05-23-2002, 07:34 PM	#8
QuickSlash Wight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Not here. Posts: 121	I would've read it, but not enjoyed it. Personally, I liked the non-human races a lot better. After all, Men in ME are nearly the same as all of us. I'm more interested in elves, hobbits, & dwarves than men. Just how I view fantasy. __________________ We're here and now, but will we ever be again? / 'Cause I have found / All that shimmers in this world is sure to fade, away, again. -Shimmer, Fuel

05-23-2002, 07:47 PM	#9
Elven-Maiden Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 307	Oh I wanna read that!!!! Sounds intriguing! Thanx for the info! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Tout ce qui est or ne brille pas, Tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus. Mobilis in Mobile

05-23-2002, 12:08 AM	#4
Orald Shadow of Malice Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: right behind you Posts: 843	The actual beginning of this 'new book' is in Peoples of Middle-Earth HoME 12, entitled The New Shadow. It is very boring, and anyone that reads it can see why he abandonned it.

05-23-2002, 11:46 AM	#6
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,072	I also have read the story, and I found it to have that same feel of nameless evil terror that Tolkien was so good at depicting. The old man who was the protagonist was interesting, probably a little bit of Tolkien in him, and the plot looked like it was going to go somewhere interesting. But it would have been as Tolkien himself lamented, a mere thriller - a darn good one, I'd bet, but it would have pulled him away from the myths he loved. Still, I wish he would have written it. So put me down as having really enjoyed it.

05-23-2002, 05:39 PM	#7
Orald Shadow of Malice Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: right behind you Posts: 843	I just love how MM makes so many assumptions with nothing to stand on.