Unfinished Tales [Archive] - THE TOLKIEN FORUM

Halasían

01-10-2002, 07:54 AM

I highly recommend this book to you all as a good filler of some blanks in the story of Lord of the Rings. It has the account of Isildur losing the ring in the river, and also why King Theoden was really depressed when Gandalf, Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas showed up.. it has the Battle of the Fords of Isen where Sarumanns army routed Rohan. There is only mention of the stragglers coming to Helms Deep, in the LOTR. It has also a story of Numenor and also more on Galadriel! It is a good read for reference and background filler!

Snaga

01-14-2002, 01:37 AM

Is that the one with the account of Turin and the dragon. I love that story and had it years ago but lost my copy. I keep meaning to replace it.

Tyaronumen

01-16-2002, 12:25 AM

UT is definitely a great read...! My favorite little bit in that story is in Disaster at Gladden Fields... we are given to know that no one was present to witness Isildur's last words with Elendur... however, words are definitely placed into his mouth, and into the mouth of his eldest son that are exceedingly fair...

I have always wondered how much of Isildur's conversation with Elendur was the wishful thinking of Elessar and his subjects (during whose reign this tale was re-constructed)... after all, we don't *really* know that Isildur repented his decision at Orodruin -- the only evidence we have is a reconstructed version of events told some 3000+ years after the occasion.

:D

Greymantle

01-16-2002, 05:20 AM

I just got it today in my Amazon.com order! I'm very happy... got Letters of JRRT, A Tolkien Reader, and The Tolkien Ensemble's A Night in Rivendell in the same package. :D I'll be starting UT as soon as I finish my Sil re-read. I'm glad to hear it's so good!

Greymantle

01-16-2002, 04:38 PM

Yeah... I ordered New Year's Eve and they didn't ship until Saturday. My friend has been anxiously awaiting his full DVD box-set of Blackadder since just after Chirstmas. :)

Aerin

01-22-2002, 05:48 PM

I just bought the Unfinished Tales!!! :D I was in Barnes and Noble the other day, looking through the fantasy/fiction section, and I found it!!! I would have grabbed another one of his books, but I didn't have enough money. :( I can't wait to start reading it!

Halasían

02-07-2002, 06:42 PM

A suggestion on reading Unfinished Tales...
I suggest you read the actual story straight through and ignore the footnote numbers the first time. On subsequent reading, then refer to Chris Tolkiens comments in the footnotes. If you try to refer to the footnotes the first time it seems to break up the flow. The only thinmg that disappoints is some of the stories end abruptly.

Andquellewen

02-20-2002, 10:33 PM

should I read UT before the Silmarillion?

Beleg Strongbow

02-24-2002, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by Variag of Khand
Is that the one with the account of Turin and the dragon. I love that story and had it years ago but lost my copy. I keep meaning to replace it.

yes it is. It is a lot longer then the one in the sil and one of my favourite parts in all the hist of M.E.

Úlairi

02-25-2002, 07:27 AM

I have nearly finished it and it definitely is a great read! After I have finished I will go straight onto HOME!!!:) :) :)

Khamul

03-03-2002, 01:48 AM

Yes UT is, but I have a question, How much do all of the HOME books cost in general?

Beleg Strongbow

03-03-2002, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by Legolas Lover
should I read UT before the Silmarillion?

No the sil comes 1st.:) ;)

Grond

03-06-2002, 03:07 AM

Originally posted by Sting
Yes UT is, but I have a question, How much do all of the HOME books cost in general? There are 12 books in the HoMe series. They run about $8 each US in paperback. About $25 in hardback or you may buy all of them together in a three volume set for about $100 a piece in black leather and thread. These are printed on Fine Indian Parchmant and are made with very fine paper, much like old Bibles used to made of.

Hama

03-06-2002, 07:20 AM

The Unfinished Tales are great.
Firstly the tales of Turin and Tuor are told in full. Secondly, the second age is given much more life than in the Akallabeth and the appendices of LotR. And the final section is a wonderful accompaniment to LotR. Read it if you are done with Silmarillion. Not before.

Úlairi

03-08-2002, 07:59 AM

:D :D :D I finished UT today. My favourite section would be 'The Hunt for the Ring' which is the account of the Black Rider's search for the Ring according to Gandalf who tells Frodo. It's a great book and I recommend it also!!!:D :D :D

Wood Elf

03-20-2002, 04:14 AM

After reading this, I just went and ordered it! I must learn restraint! :D

menchu

03-20-2002, 02:01 PM

I'm also currently reading it, through Galadriel and Celeborn's love right now. The story of Aldarion and Erendis touched me... Made me think about some behaviour...
You know people I love Tolkien's work, but I seem to find myself reading the saddest parts of all Middle Earth!

Khamul

03-28-2002, 04:12 AM

Originally posted by Grond
There are 12 books in the HoMe series. They run about $8 each US in paperback. About $25 in hardback or you may buy all of them together in a three volume set for about $100 a piece in black leather and thread. These are printed on Fine Indian Parchmant and are made with very fine paper, much like old Bibles used to made of.

I think I will go with the paperback. Im too poor to spend that much money.

Úlairi

03-30-2002, 01:36 AM

At least you can find the books Sting, where I am they are in mini-like-series. The only ones I have found are the first four of the HoME in one and it costs $75!! I am really annoyed!

Khamul

03-30-2002, 04:58 AM

Yea, but I still need my parents permission. They dont want me to spend to much.....

Úlairi

03-30-2002, 05:52 AM

Yeah, mine too, I hate that!!!

Khamul

03-30-2002, 05:24 PM

But I wouldnt want my kids spending a whole lot of money in one place. So, I dont blame them, but I still wish I had alot of money (doesnt everyone) and could buy all the Tolkien stuff I could find.

Úlairi

03-31-2002, 08:08 AM

Yes, money is always the main factor with book-buying! I wish I could have a little more as well!

Camille

04-03-2002, 03:42 PM

Yes, money is always the main factor with book-buying! I wish I could have a little more as well!

Yes me too:( , Well my favorite part of the UT is the Rurin sotorie and specially his chidhood, what a lovely kid!! and his frienship with Sandos (or Sandor) very nice!!

Eomer Dinmention

04-11-2002, 09:32 AM

I have read UT and i thought it was good. At the first time i didn't understand it, so i read it again and thought it was really good.

I've got the LOTR series, The Hobbit, Unfinished Tales, Book of Lost tales 2 and War of The Ring.

Though i haven't read the last two.

Úlairi

04-11-2002, 01:40 PM

You must King Eomer, they're great!

Beleg Strongbow

04-15-2002, 02:59 AM

Yes im going to get those books n read them 2.

Úlairi

04-15-2002, 03:01 AM

Good Beleg, do so!

Halasían

03-25-2003, 05:28 PM

I was reading Lord of the Rings again, and when I got to Rohan and the King's chambers, I took a break and read 'The Fords of Isen' in Unfinished Tales.. like an new chapter in the book! The death of the King's son is covered well!

I think reading of Aldaron & Erendis is an intriguing yet sad tale.

Finarfin

04-05-2003, 10:48 PM

A lot of the stories in unfinished tales can be a hard slog to get through, i think, unless you can have the context in your head. Im reading about Turin Turambar in the silmarillion and ill probably read Narn i hin Hurin after. i remember i tried to read the entire unfinished tales straight after my first reading of TLOTR - without having read the silmarillion or even the hobbit, i failed miserably. Anyway, ill make it this time

Idril

04-19-2003, 03:06 PM

I finished Sil, yesterday and bought UT today - gosh it was hard to find in rural England - anyway, about to embark on UT now - hope it's not too much of a task to get through.