Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
And the saga continues. . ., March 6, 2001
This review is from: The War of the Ring: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Three (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 8) (Hardcover)
"The War of the Ring" is the third installment of Christopher Tolkien's "The History of The Lord of the Rings" series, and the eighth volume of his massive "The History of Middle Earth". Like the two volumes before it, Christopher Tolkien takes the reader on a detailed journey of the creative processes through which "The Lord of the Rings" came to be. Of particular interest in this book: The development of the "Paths of the Dead" story. The development of the character of Denethor, Steward of Gondor. The development of "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields". The development of the story of Shelob and Frodo's capture. It's unfortunate that Christopher Tolkien was unable to finish "The History of The Lord of the Rings" in three volumes, so the reader is left with the story still unfinished. It is also worth noting that these books, especially as they proceed to the end of the story, do not simply rehash the final work. If sections of a chapter underwent little or no evolutionary development, they are treated briefly. The greatest attention is paid to those episodes which were written and re-written, often in very different ways. I was somewhat disappointed that the theme of Gollum's "near repentance" was not treated in detail, as JRR Tolkien felt that this was a key turning-point in the story. But again, if an episode underwent little development, Christopher did not spend much time on it. Five stars -- and another "Thank-you" to Christopher for this labor of love on his late father's behalf.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Die-Hard Tolkien Fans, June 27, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The War of the Ring: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Three (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 8) (Hardcover)
Christopher Tolkien's analysis and exhaustive research of his father's notes and drafts for the second part of "Two Towers" is an interesting read. SciComm.Net would recommend it for any prospective writers who would like to know the involved thought process and amount of drafting that goes into a complex, involving book such as Tolkien's masterpiece. War of the Rings includes notes on the Palantir, Shelob's lair, and others- See how Tolkien's story evolved over the course of several years. A must-buy from Amazon.Com for all fantasy writers, amateur to advanced, and any of Tolkien's devotees- especially at the reduced price.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another study in Rings' creation, May 9, 2004
"The War of the Ring" - Tolkien's preferred title for "The Return of the King" - is the third of four volumes dealing with the history of the writing of "The Lord of the Rings." Like the other volumes in the series, it features unpublished writings by Tolkien, supplemented, explained, footnoted, annotated and expounded upon by his son, Christopher Tolkien. If you're not a Tolkien fan, you need not apply. These incomplete and unfinished texts will only bore you. But if you're interested in seeing how the Professor developed the rich creation of Middle Earth, warts and all, this is a treasure trove of material. This book is part of the larger, 12-part History of Middle Earth series, which takes a close look at the creation of Tolkien's greatest achievement - Middle Earth itself - through early drafts, unpublished texts, and dead end writings. For ardent Tolkien readers, the series is a fascinating look at one of the great literary creations of the 20th Century, full of rich detail, writings never before seen, and stories only now being told. For more casual fans, it's text better left unread. Like the volumes that came before ("The Return of the Shadow" and "The Treason of Isengard"), we have the earliest versions of what would later become "The Lord of the Rings." Tolkien's troubles in bringing the story to a close, abandoned storylines, and alternate endings are all presented in incomplete prose. (Take a peak at the original end of Eowyn's character arc). The wealth of information is fantastic, and Christopher Tolkien goes to great lengths to examine each text, putting them in the context of the larger puzzle of his father's writings. The exploration of how "The Lord of the Rings" came about is fantastic - for those interested. Otherwise, it will bore. This is, after all, a series of unfinished draft chapters and essays on the text. I enjoyed it, but many won't. Anybody wishing to do a study of Tolkien's craft, into "behind the scenes" writings, or just interested in finding a few snatches of new Middle Earth material (even if in unfinished form, there are some scattered throughout the series) will certainly find what they are looking for here. Christopher Tolkien's work here is appreciated by scores of ardent Tolkien fans. Those looking for fresh new tales about hobbits and heroes, however, will be disappointed. This isn't new fiction, nor does it even feature finished works. Seek elsewhere if you are looking for more tales in the way of "The Lord of the Rings."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
