Christopher Tolkien--JRR's Max or George Martin? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

03-29-2001, 10:57 AM

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Did he sugarcoat the original Silmarillion too much for its public acceptance, or did he add class and organization to a broad, spotty, rough draft? I honestly don't know too much about the original, proposed draft, what about you guys?

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**lindil** · 03-29-2001, 12:25 PM

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Re: Christopher Tolkien--JRR's Max or George Martin?

A short reply is that he took a mass of confusing manuscritps some of it in old faded pencil, none of the more suitable versions complete and w/ a moderate to minimum [depending on your view] amount of editing gave us the work we have today.
It is largely reflective of the the work of JRRT as it stood around the LotR [ although some is later] and does not take many additions, revisions and appendices created after the LotR into account although in the wording of names things are usually given the final forms and essy's written some over the course of another 20 + years .

Is it perfect?
CRT himself admits he would do things differently.
Is it a hatchet job?
by no means the 77 [as I tend to call it] is a very good read - and he has valiantly made up for any deficiencies in the 77 by publishing darn near everything in Unfinished Tales and the 12 Volume 'History of Middle-Earth' series.

Others may wish to give a more detailed answer.Or offer a different spin entirely.

Lindil is oft found on posting on the Silmarillion Project at the Barrowdowns and working on a new Elven/Christian discussion board<a href="http://beta.ezboard.com/bosanwekenta" >Osanwe-Kenta</a> 'The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night, and awaken early before dawn- exchanging lore and wisdom such as they possessed , so that they should not fall back into the mean and low estate of those , who never knew or more sadly still, had indeed rebelled against the Light.' </p>

***Mithadan*** · 03-29-2001, 01:23 PM

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Re: Christopher Tolkien--JRR's Max or George Martin?

The degree in which CT engaged in "editorial meddling" is not entirely clear. He obviously engaged in a lot of cut and paste work. He admits that he wrote The Fall of Doriath himself. He concedes some of his editorial decisions were ill-advised or that some such decisions were made in the absence of knowledge of other existing manuscripts whose use may have been more appropriate. Some curse him, others praise him. I feel he did the best he could in quickly completing a daunting task, but sometimes wish he took more time.

--Mithadan--
"The Silmarils with living light
were kindled clear, and waxing bright
shone like stars that in the North
above the reek of earth leap forth." </p>

03-29-2001, 10:57 AM	#1
Bilbo 800 Guest Posts: n/a	Christopher Tolkien--JRR's Max or George Martin? <font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased Posts: 9</TD><TD><img src=http://www.lordoftherings.net/images/ca_iholm.jpg WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE> Did he sugarcoat the original Silmarillion too much for its public acceptance, or did he add class and organization to a broad, spotty, rough draft? I honestly don't know too much about the original, proposed draft, what about you guys? Tolkien fans UNITE!!! <a href=http://pub53.ezboard.com/bmiddleearth87846>Middle Earth</a>--the ultimate Tolkien RPG <img src=http://www.angelfire.com/rpg/beatlesdarkwars/lotr.gif> Proud member of <a href= http://pub28.ezboard.com/blugburz>Lugburz</a> and the <a href=http://pub49.ezboard.com/bmiddleearthroleplayingnetwork>Middle Earth Roleplaying Network</a>.</p>

03-29-2001, 12:25 PM	#2
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Seeker of the Straight Path Posts: 552</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Christopher Tolkien--JRR's Max or George Martin? A short reply is that he took a mass of confusing manuscritps some of it in old faded pencil, none of the more suitable versions complete and w/ a moderate to minimum [depending on your view] amount of editing gave us the work we have today. It is largely reflective of the the work of JRRT as it stood around the LotR [ although some is later] and does not take many additions, revisions and appendices created after the LotR into account although in the wording of names things are usually given the final forms and essy's written some over the course of another 20 + years . Is it perfect? CRT himself admits he would do things differently. Is it a hatchet job? by no means the 77 [as I tend to call it] is a very good read - and he has valiantly made up for any deficiencies in the 77 by publishing darn near everything in Unfinished Tales and the 12 Volume 'History of Middle-Earth' series. Others may wish to give a more detailed answer.Or offer a different spin entirely. Lindil is oft found on posting on the Silmarillion Project at the Barrowdowns and working on a new Elven/Christian discussion board<a href="http://beta.ezboard.com/bosanwekenta" >Osanwe-Kenta</a> 'The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night, and awaken early before dawn- exchanging lore and wisdom such as they possessed , so that they should not fall back into the mean and low estate of those , who never knew or more sadly still, had indeed rebelled against the Light.' </p> __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.

03-29-2001, 01:23 PM	#3
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,374	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Spirit of Mist Posts: 777</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Christopher Tolkien--JRR's Max or George Martin? The degree in which CT engaged in "editorial meddling" is not entirely clear. He obviously engaged in a lot of cut and paste work. He admits that he wrote The Fall of Doriath himself. He concedes some of his editorial decisions were ill-advised or that some such decisions were made in the absence of knowledge of other existing manuscripts whose use may have been more appropriate. Some curse him, others praise him. I feel he did the best he could in quickly completing a daunting task, but sometimes wish he took more time. --Mithadan-- "The Silmarils with living light were kindled clear, and waxing bright shone like stars that in the North above the reek of earth leap forth." </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.