The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 2) [Paperback]

J.R.R. Tolkien (Author), Christopher Tolkien (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1986 | Series: Book of Lost Tales (Book 2)

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 incomplete several years later. It stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor, for these tales were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called The Silmarillion. Embedded in English legend, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol (or AElfwine) to Tol Eressea, the Lonely Isle, where elves dwelt; from him they learned their true history, the Lost Tales of Elfinesse. In these Tales are found the earliest accounts and original ideas of Gods and Elves, Dwarves, Balrogs, and Orcs; of the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor; of Nargothrond and Gondolin; of the geography and cosmology of Middle-earth. Volume Two contains the Tale of Tinuviel, the story of Turambar, The Fall of Gondolin, and the story of the Necklace of the Dwarves. Each tale is followed by a short essay by Christopher Tolkien, the author's son and literary executor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One marvels anew at the depth, breadth, and persistence of J.R.R. Tolkien's labor. No one sympathetic to his aims, the invention of a secondary universe, will want to miss this chance to be present at the creation." Publishers Weekly

From the Inside Flap

This second part of THE BOOK OF LOST TALES includes the tale of Beneren and Luthien, Turin and the Dragon, Necklace of the Dwarves, and the Fall of Gondolin. Each tale is followed by a commentary in the form of a short essay, together with the texts of associated poems, as well as information on names and vocabulary in the earliest Elvish languages. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (November 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395426405
• ISBN-13: 978-0395426401
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,115,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892.1973), beloved throughout the world as the creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. His chief interest was the linguistic aspects of the early English written tradition, but even as he studied these classics he was creating a set of his own.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but tough, August 3, 2003

By 

Dave (Lexington, Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

It takes great strength of mind to be able to stick through this book, but if you're a true Tolkien fan, you'll love every minute of it. The Book of Lost Tales Part II continues the story of Eriol, a great mariner who finds his way to the lost island of Tol Eressëa, The Lonely Isle, where dwell a lost tribe of Elves. He continues to learn the stories of the ancient world they have to tell him, of the great heroes of the world after its corruption by the Dark Lord Melkor.

For readers of the Silmarillion, many of the stories are familiar. They are told, however, in greater detail than that which is set down in the Silmarillion, and contain several interesting literary differences. (Nearly all of which are expounded on by Christopher Tolkien, who is, of course, the son of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.) Some are as small as name changes, some are opposing details about the events surrounding a character.

I enjoyed reading this book, partly because I am a Tolkien aficionado, and partly because it satisfies the fantasy itch in a lot of people, myself included. The Book of Tales 2 begins (sort of) where Book 1 left off. The stories that the editor, Christopher Tolkien sets forth are less whole and complete than those found in book 1, but this is by no means the fault of Christopher Tolkien. His father, beloved author and scholar J.R.R. Tolkien was perfecting and re-shaping these tales to his death in 1973.

Nonetheless, the stories are enjoyable to read. In Book 2, we read such stories as the Tale of Tinúviel (Or, Lúthien) the elf-maiden who forsook her immortal life for the love of a mortal man, Beren, much as the more popular union between Arwen and Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings books themselves. Of course, the most startling and shocking idea was that in this early version of the story, Beren was not a man at all, but an elf! He was but of another race of elves, which caused the high price of a Silmaril for Lúthien's hand in marriage by her father. There are several different elements of the story changed as well, such as Lúthien's need to save her love from the house of Tevildo, (a feline precursor to Sauron?), the evil cat-like creature who enslaved Beren. Of course, all these changes and many more are commented on, and highlighted by the ever-thorough editor.

Also found is the story of Turin Turambar, the man who roamed Middle-Earth with much sorrow and woe, who won both misery and renown for his great skill and his misdeeds. An extremely sad (and long!) tale.

After this, the tale of the great fall of Gondolin, the great city of refuge, hidden from Morgoth until it was brought down by treason from within. Hence from this destruction escaped Ëarendil, the great mariner of whom great tales are told of later. The tale of the Nauglafring, the Necklace of the Dwarves is told following this tale, with different changes in it as well.

Following this is the tale of Ëarendil. This differs so much from the original story that most of us know from reading the Silmarillion that it's not nearly as wonderful of a story to read.

Finally, there is the history of Eriol, or Ælfwine, the man who first came to the Lonely Isle and learned these great stories from the Wise that dwell there. Most astounding and odd in this history is the idea that Tolkien had apparently conceived; that the lands where the Elves dwelled came over time to be England! The Lonely Isle was dragged from its place by Ulmo, but his rival Ossë took hold of it to drag it back, and broke of a part, which became Ireland. In this case, one must wonder where the land and time of Middle-Earth itself, with its hobbits, wizards and orcs came to pass, if that land eventually became England!

For my part, I find that these stories are fun to read, but if you are interested in the true substance of the tale, your best bet is to read the Silmarillion. The stories are often condensed, but they are in their finished state (as much as can be finished), and there are no footnotes to go and read.

Following the end of tales is an index on names, the etymologies, the development of names, etc.

Reading this book really gives you a feeling for how much work and effort went into the creation of the books we all enjoy, The Lord of the Rings. But little do we realize that there was a good three thousand years of history prior to that story - and Tolkien wrote it all.

If you have an enthusiasm for the works of Tolkien, the tales prior to the Rings trilogy, and the history of Middle-Earth, than you should read this book if you can. I'd recommend reading the Silmarillion first, even if you have already read it once; Christopher Tolkien compares the two many, many times. Also be forewarned that this book can be a little dry and long-winded. But for true Tolkien aficionados, it's worth every minute.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The great epic continues, December 18, 1998

By 

Nocturnal_Rapture "flossran" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Part Two continues the history of the Elves and contains the oldest version of my personal favorite story "The Tale of Tinuviel". The stories in this book (which include an early version of Turumbar, The Fall of Gondolin, The Nauglafring- aka the fall of Doriath, and the story of Eriol) are recounted in grand Tolkienian style. They reveal some very interesting early ideas which Tolkien did not include in "The Silmarillion". The stories are superb in and of themselves but also offer a tantalizing 'behind the scenes' look at Tolkien's creative genius in progress. One of the most pleasurable aspects of reading this book is to watch the metamorphoses of the characters and to contemplate the elements which Tolkien altered or deleted in the later and more finished "Silmarillion". The stories in "Lost Tales 2" are even more marvelous than those of Book One. Book Two also provides a complete (though lamentable) closing to the tale of the wanderings or Eriol. Yet, to those who have read only "Lost Tales 1" there is no need to persuade. For I do not believe it humanly or divinely possible to read only Book One without inflaming the insatiable desire to experience the second half of the enchantment.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The History Of Middle-Earth Vol.2, April 1, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (L-Iklin, Malta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 2) (Hardcover)

This second volume of The History Of Middle-Earth takes us back to the mythical times of the Silmarillion. In fact it comprises very interesting sketches of tales found in the Silmarillion itself. Featuring among others the tales of Beren and Luthien, Turin Thurambar, and the full accounts of the Necklace of the Dwarves and the Fall of Gondolin. Each text is followed by explanatory comments by Christopher Tolkien and also some related poems by the author himself. Reading The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales is also highly recommended.