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Title: The War of the Ring (The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Three) (The History of Middle-Earth - Volume 8) by Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien ISBN: 0-618-08359-6 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: September, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.75 (8 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Another study in Rings' creation
Comment: "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 Like the other volumes in the series, it features unpublished writings by Tolkien, supplemented, explained, footnoted, annotated and expounded upon by his son, Christopher Tolkien.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takes a close look at the creation of Tolkien's greatest achievement - Middle Earth itself - through early drafts, unpublished texts, and dead end writings.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."
Rating: 5
Summary: Another masterful contribution to an excellent series
Comment: I've already written more detailed reviews of "The Return of the Shadow" and "The Treason of Isengard" so I won't rehash what I wrote earlier. All I will say is that if you are as much interested in J. R. R. Tolkien's creation of Middle Earth as in "The Lord of the Rings" as finished product you must read the works in Christopher Tolkien's "History of the Lord of the Rings" series. Kudos to Mr. Tolkien for taking the time and effort to help us understand the magnitude of his father's creative effort.
Rating: 5
Summary: Splendid Critical History of "Rings" Saga Continues
Comment: Christopher Tolkien does yet another masterful job in describing the process behind his father's writing of "The Lord of the Rings" saga, covering the interval from King Theodeon's and Gandalf's arrival at Isengard to the opening of the Black Gate of Mordor. The book excels in its descriptions of Denethor, Steward of Gondor, the development of the "Paths of the Dead", the "Battle of Pelennor Fields", and Frodo's fateful encounter with the giant malevolent spider Shelob. It is well worth the reader's time learning how Tolkien developed these important episodes in the saga. I concur with an earlier reviewer who has lamented that Christopher Tolkien has not explored the issue of Gollum's near repetenance. However, this is merely a minor complaint of what is most definitely the latest volume in the ongoing authoritative literary "dissection" of the world's greatest fantasy saga by the son of its author. This splendid tome will appeal not only to diehard Tolkien fans, but also serious students of literature interested in understanding Tolkien's thinking behind the writing of "The Lord of the Rings" saga.
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