Which volumes of HoME would you recommend? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

skip spence · 02-06-2008, 09:55 AM

During the past years I've rediscovered Tolkien and reread The Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit, The Silmarillion and Unfinished tales (the latter for the first but certainly not the last time).

I loved these books as a kid and find that I appriciate them even more now as an adult. The prose is just fantastic and I'm in awe of the depth and beauty of Tolkien's tales and of the one man universe in his head.

Now I'm hungry for more and have finally started to look at the History Of Middle Earth series, which I earlier though of as the domain of the Tolkien ultra nerds. Guess I am a Tolkien ultra nerd -

.

Previously I've read parts of the two 'Lost Tales' books, having picked them up at the library. Didn't enjoy them so much as I found them to be 'primitive' and too different to Tolkiens later legendarium. As stand alone stories they are nice, but I can't really get over how different the stories and the characters are here compared to later versions, with a more developed 'historical' background.

A few month ago I picked up "Morgoth's Ring" and I really enjoyed it. It included lots of 'new' material that felt fully compatible to my mental image of ME and enriched my enjoyment and understanding of it.

Some parts of 'Myths Transformed' certainly didn't feel compatible to the ME I've got in my head but others parts did, and at any rate, it was an interesting read.

Well, I'm rambling on too much. What I really want to know is, which volumes should I pick up next?

I'm not really interested in the fictional languages. Nor am I'm I interested in long poems as I'm a prose man. I'm not really interested in discarded drafts of familiar passages of published works either, unless the drafts give a different perspective or a longer and more detailed version of the events, like in "Morgoth's Ring".

What I want is to read something I haven't read before, that doesn't conflict too badly with the published works such as LoTR or Silmarillion.

So, any advice? Which volume is for me?

Mithalwen · 02-06-2008, 12:31 PM

I can sympathise since I found the early volumes difficult and gave up at vol 4 when they first emerged only completing my set when they were reissued in 2002.

The History of the Lord of the Rings volumes are very readable (I admit they are the only ones I have read from cover to cover so far) and fascinating for the develpment of the story but won't bring you much in the way of new stories. The Peoples of Middle Earth is another interesting one - certainly the one apart from Morgoth's ring that I refer to most.

Elmo · 02-06-2008, 01:32 PM

Morgoth's Ring is the best one, especially for the Athrabeth which is one of my favourite pieces of writing ever.

Mithalwen · 02-06-2008, 01:36 PM

Yes, but he has already read that one .... don't put him off the others!

Elmo · 02-06-2008, 01:44 PM

Arrrgggggghhhh! I'm tired OK please forgive me

Mithalwen · 02-06-2008, 02:24 PM

Nothing to forgive ... and *whispers* it is my favourite too since it includes "LACE" as well .... but there is good stuff elsewhere.

02-06-2008, 09:55 AM	#1
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	Which volumes of HoME would you recommend? During the past years I've rediscovered Tolkien and reread The Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit, The Silmarillion and Unfinished tales (the latter for the first but certainly not the last time). I loved these books as a kid and find that I appriciate them even more now as an adult. The prose is just fantastic and I'm in awe of the depth and beauty of Tolkien's tales and of the one man universe in his head. Now I'm hungry for more and have finally started to look at the History Of Middle Earth series, which I earlier though of as the domain of the Tolkien ultra nerds. Guess I am a Tolkien ultra nerd -. Previously I've read parts of the two 'Lost Tales' books, having picked them up at the library. Didn't enjoy them so much as I found them to be 'primitive' and too different to Tolkiens later legendarium. As stand alone stories they are nice, but I can't really get over how different the stories and the characters are here compared to later versions, with a more developed 'historical' background. A few month ago I picked up "Morgoth's Ring" and I really enjoyed it. It included lots of 'new' material that felt fully compatible to my mental image of ME and enriched my enjoyment and understanding of it. Some parts of 'Myths Transformed' certainly didn't feel compatible to the ME I've got in my head but others parts did, and at any rate, it was an interesting read. Well, I'm rambling on too much. What I really want to know is, which volumes should I pick up next? I'm not really interested in the fictional languages. Nor am I'm I interested in long poems as I'm a prose man. I'm not really interested in discarded drafts of familiar passages of published works either, unless the drafts give a different perspective or a longer and more detailed version of the events, like in "Morgoth's Ring". What I want is to read something I haven't read before, that doesn't conflict too badly with the published works such as LoTR or Silmarillion. So, any advice? Which volume is for me? Last edited by skip spence; 02-06-2008 at 10:01 AM.

02-06-2008, 12:31 PM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	I can sympathise since I found the early volumes difficult and gave up at vol 4 when they first emerged only completing my set when they were reissued in 2002. The History of the Lord of the Rings volumes are very readable (I admit they are the only ones I have read from cover to cover so far) and fascinating for the develpment of the story but won't bring you much in the way of new stories. The Peoples of Middle Earth is another interesting one - certainly the one apart from Morgoth's ring that I refer to most. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-06-2008, 01:32 PM	#3
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	Morgoth's Ring is the best one, especially for the Athrabeth which is one of my favourite pieces of writing ever. __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

02-06-2008, 01:36 PM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	Yes, but he has already read that one .... don't put him off the others! __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-06-2008, 01:44 PM	#5
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	Arrrgggggghhhh! I'm tired OK please forgive me __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

02-06-2008, 02:24 PM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	Nothing to forgive ... and whispers it is my favourite too since it includes "LACE" as well .... but there is good stuff elsewhere. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace