Unfinished Tales

Blackboar · 12-23-2002, 02:24 PM

What is this book actually about!!
I might buy it but I want to know if it is a good read.
Is it complicated?

Falagar · 12-23-2002, 02:56 PM

It is indeed very complicated. It consists of many unfinished (in different meanings) texts that Tolkien wrote about (among other things) Tuor when and his journey to Gondolin, Galadriel and Celeborn, a more detailed account of Isildurs last stand before he jumped into the Anduin, more stuff about the Wild men, the Palantirs and the Istari, with many notes by Christoffer Tolkien.

Artanis · 12-23-2002, 05:34 PM

Don't scare them Falagar!

Right, it is not like LotR, but there are good stories there. If you're not interested in the notes, skip them. The story about Tuor's journey to Gondolin is certainly a good read, the only weakness is it ends abruptly (unfinished

). Then there is 'Narn i hin Hurin', a detailed story about Turin Turambar, way better than the one given in the Sil. And there is a rather sad story about the unhappy marriage of one of the Numenorean Kings. Among other goodies.

Falagar · 12-23-2002, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Don't scare them Falagar!

http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmili...l/evil_lol.gif

***RÃan*** · 12-23-2002, 09:44 PM

I have it, and like it very much. It has a lot of interesting info on LoTR-related stuff, like on the black riders, and the "real" story behind how Gandalf got Thorin and co. to take Bilbo on their quest. Also some info on Rohan, and a more detailed story about Isildur losing the ring (and his life).

***KhamÃ»l*** · 12-23-2002, 11:55 PM

To understand most of it, you need to read the Silmarillion first. I know I tried to read Unfinished Tales first and it just didn't work. The only parts that made any sense were the ones about the Third Age. I still haven't made my way through all of it yet. It's on my list.

BeardofPants · 12-24-2002, 12:02 AM

I read it right after the Sil. It has the most in depth stories that Tolkien ever wrote on the Fall of Gondonlin, and the Children of Hurin. Well worth it. You won't get that much (up to date) detail in any of his other works regarding those two stories.

Eruviel Greenleaf · 12-24-2002, 03:23 AM

I've just started to read it. Actually, I jumped to the history of Galadriel and Celeborn, but I'll go read the rest when I'm done with that. I really like it--of course, I've read one of the history of middle earth volumes, so I sort of knew what to expect.

Blackboar · 12-24-2002, 05:14 AM

Thank you!!

I think I will give it a read!!

How many pages are there in it?

***RÃan*** · 12-24-2002, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KhamÃ»l
To understand most of it, you need to read the Silmarillion first. I know I tried to read Unfinished Tales first and it just didn't work. The only parts that made any sense were the ones about the Third Age. I still haven't made my way through all of it yet. It's on my list.

Great point, KhamÃ»l - I had just assumed Blackboar had read the Sil already.

If you haven't read the Sil, Blackboar, definitely read the Sil before UT - I think that will help alot. Good luck, keep us posted!

Radagast The Brown · 12-24-2002, 04:38 PM

Quote:

originally posted by EG
I've just started to read it. Actually, I jumped to the history of Galadriel and Celeborn, but I'll go read the rest when I'm done with that. I really like it--of course, I've read one of the history of middle earth volumes, so I sort of knew what to expect.

I think that the history of Galadriel and Celeborn was the most complicated part. You know, in the translation the translator wrote lots of notes in the end of each part, plus the notes Tolkien's son (I don't know how to write Christoffer(

)) wrote.

Blackboar · 12-26-2002, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blackboar
Thank you!!

I think I will give it a read!!

How many pages are there in it?

Well? I want to know how long it is!!

Read the Sil!! Didn't fully understand all of it but most of it!!
Thanks RÃ*an!!

Artanis · 12-26-2002, 10:18 AM

My HarperCollins edition is 613 pages, with index and maps. The index starts at page 537.

Blackboar · 12-26-2002, 10:21 AM

Hmm...
Looking forward to reading it!!!

Lollypopgurl · 12-26-2002, 11:00 PM

Should you read the Book of Lost Tales first or the UT?

cassiopeia · 12-26-2002, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lollypopgurl
Should you read the Book of Lost Tales first or the UT?

Read UT first. I don't think you have to read The Silmarillion before UT, since it contains much about the war of the ring and the characters in it. BoLT should be read after The Silmarillion, since it is based on that material. BoLT can be confusing at times, but it is well worth the effort.

BeardofPants · 12-27-2002, 12:03 AM

Yeah, guess what I got for christmas.

Ã‘Ã³lendil · 12-28-2002, 06:21 PM

Slipper socks?

Sween · 12-28-2002, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Yeah, guess what I got for christmas.

a tortour chamber for little bunnies?

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 12-28-2002, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cassiopeia
Read UT first. I don't think you have to read The Silmarillion before UT, since it contains much about the war of the ring and the characters in it. BoLT should be read after The Silmarillion, since it is based on that material. BoLT can be confusing at times, but it is well worth the effort.

You do need to read the Silmarillion first. Not only was it published before Unfinished Tales, but the majority of information in its tales comes from the stories of the Silmarillion. It just won't make a lot of sense if you don't read the Silmarillion first. BoLT can be read after UT. It is the first two books of the HoMe series, and again, is the old mythology.

12-23-2002, 02:24 PM	#1
Blackboar Legolas's beloved sister and Queen of the Wood Elves of Mirkwood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Under the hill at Bag-end, Hobbiton the Shire Or Rivendell,I can't remember!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 1,086	Unfinished Tales What is this book actually about!! I might buy it but I want to know if it is a good read. Is it complicated?

12-23-2002, 02:56 PM	#2
Falagar Death of Mooters and [Entmoot] Internal Affairs Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 2,870	It is indeed very complicated. It consists of many unfinished (in different meanings) texts that Tolkien wrote about (among other things) Tuor when and his journey to Gondolin, Galadriel and Celeborn, a more detailed account of Isildurs last stand before he jumped into the Anduin, more stuff about the Wild men, the Palantirs and the Istari, with many notes by Christoffer Tolkien. __________________ FÃ«anor - Innocence incarnated Still, AikanÃ¡ro 'till the Last battle. Last edited by Falagar : 12-23-2002 at 02:58 PM.

12-23-2002, 05:34 PM	#3
Artanis Greatest Elven woman of Aman Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Having way too much fun with FÃ«anor's 7 Posts: 4,285	Don't scare them Falagar! Right, it is not like LotR, but there are good stories there. If you're not interested in the notes, skip them. The story about Tuor's journey to Gondolin is certainly a good read, the only weakness is it ends abruptly (unfinished ). Then there is 'Narn i hin Hurin', a detailed story about Turin Turambar, way better than the one given in the Sil. And there is a rather sad story about the unhappy marriage of one of the Numenorean Kings. Among other goodies. __________________ --Life is hard, and then we die.

12-23-2002, 09:44 PM	#5
*RÃan* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	I have it, and like it very much. It has a lot of interesting info on LoTR-related stuff, like on the black riders, and the "real" story behind how Gandalf got Thorin and co. to take Bilbo on their quest. Also some info on Rohan, and a more detailed story about Isildur losing the ring (and his life). __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ã‘Ã¡ Ã«?* Ã³Ãº Ã©Ã¤ Ã¯Ã¶Ã¼ Ã–Ã± Ã‰ Ãž Ã° ÃŸ Â® Ã§ Ã¥ â„¢ Ã¦ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lÃ³mÃ«! AurÃ« entuluva!

12-23-2002, 11:55 PM	#6
*KhamÃ»l* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	To understand most of it, you need to read the Silmarillion first. I know I tried to read Unfinished Tales first and it just didn't work. The only parts that made any sense were the ones about the Third Age. I still haven't made my way through all of it yet. It's on my list. __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

12-24-2002, 12:02 AM	#7
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	I read it right after the Sil. It has the most in depth stories that Tolkien ever wrote on the Fall of Gondonlin, and the Children of Hurin. Well worth it. You won't get that much (up to date) detail in any of his other works regarding those two stories. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

12-24-2002, 03:23 AM	#8
Eruviel Greenleaf Alcoholic Villain-Fancying Elf Pirate Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lyonesse Posts: 4,547	I've just started to read it. Actually, I jumped to the history of Galadriel and Celeborn, but I'll go read the rest when I'm done with that. I really like it--of course, I've read one of the history of middle earth volumes, so I sort of knew what to expect. __________________ Eruviel Greenleaf in a past life. "Whoever has come to understand the world has found only a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world." -The Gospel of Thomas SQUAWK!

12-24-2002, 05:14 AM	#9
Blackboar Legolas's beloved sister and Queen of the Wood Elves of Mirkwood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Under the hill at Bag-end, Hobbiton the Shire Or Rivendell,I can't remember!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 1,086	Thank you!! I think I will give it a read!! How many pages are there in it?

12-26-2002, 10:18 AM	#13
Artanis Greatest Elven woman of Aman Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Having way too much fun with FÃ«anor's 7 Posts: 4,285	My HarperCollins edition is 613 pages, with index and maps. The index starts at page 537. __________________ --Life is hard, and then we die.

12-26-2002, 10:21 AM	#14
Blackboar Legolas's beloved sister and Queen of the Wood Elves of Mirkwood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Under the hill at Bag-end, Hobbiton the Shire Or Rivendell,I can't remember!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 1,086	Hmm... Looking forward to reading it!!!

12-26-2002, 11:00 PM	#15
Lollypopgurl Elven Warrior Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 222	Should you read the Book of Lost Tales first or the UT? __________________ a violinist...

12-27-2002, 12:03 AM	#17
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	Yeah, guess what I got for christmas. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

12-28-2002, 06:21 PM	#18
Ã‘Ã³lendil Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: California Posts: 60,865	Slipper socks? __________________ Falmon -- Dylan

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