Herr_Garrett on 18/2/2009 at 06:59
Well, it seems that the wealth of Tolkien's writings is indeed inexhaustible. 300. 000 pages is truly a remarkable work.
I love him.
Tenkahubu on 18/2/2009 at 08:17
Nice as this is, who really likes verse in this day and age? You can find this story translated into modern prose, which is probably better for most people. But it wouldn't have Tolkien's stamp on it.
Kolya on 18/2/2009 at 10:16
Got no verse in your purse?
Queue on 18/2/2009 at 12:56
I'm one of those wierdos that does really care for Toilken's work (if I saw a Hobbit I'd eat the little fucker). I'm not saying that he wasn't a good writer, but I personally don't find what's so amazing and inspiring. So, for me, I can't see any good reason to release an obscure book like this, except to try to make some mad cash for the estate off of Toilken's name.
Matthew on 18/2/2009 at 13:05
Well, yeah. Isn't that what most posthumous books are about?
Queue on 18/2/2009 at 13:25
For the most part, yup. But then I look at Kafka's work, and realize what a potentially tragic loss the literary world would have suffered if Brod had of burned the manuscripts instead of publishing them. He recognized the value of getting these writings in print, thus doing a great service to literature.
Now-a-days, it seems as if it's just to wring every last cent out of the corpse instead of making a valuable contribution to literature--which, too me, is sad.
Kolya on 18/2/2009 at 18:11
Well there's something like a Tolkien society and millions of fans. Somehow I think they might appreciate the release of this book a bit more than someone who admits he doesn't care for the author to boot.
Cue for subjective value of art discussion, yadda yadda.
Queue on 18/2/2009 at 18:22
Tolkien society - PPFHT! A bunch of weeniers furthering Orc-love.
L. Ron Hubbard has a society, too, you know: Scientology
...and he's been "ghost-writing" for years!
Herr_Garrett on 18/2/2009 at 18:39
Quote Posted by Queue
Tolkien society - PPFHT! A bunch of weeniers furthering Orc-love.
L. Ron Hubbard has a society, too, you know: Scientology
...and he's been "ghost-writing" for years!
Spot on. The Hungarian Tolkien-society, for example, is doing it only for the money. Extremely sad.
I am actually interested in this book. I'm not saying that other translations might not be good; but Tolkien had an especially deep understanding of the old Germanic and Norse legends, beliefs and mode of life (for instance: did you that Eärendil's English and Germanic equivalent 'Arundel / Arwendel' did give his name to a real star? The Rigel [in old legends Arwendelstoe]. The legend is in the Eddar). I've read the translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight both by Tolkien and Armitage, and they were wholly different. It is incorrect to say that Tolkien's was better; but it did have, to me, something more than Armitage's.
