Favourite story in UT

[Ithrynluin]

Which story from the Unfinished Tales do you find the most interesting?
Which is the dullest in your opinion?
I had to group some (it was a bit difficult to decide which to put together).

For me it's a tie between the Istari & The history of Celeborn and Galadriel.I chose the Istari though,because it's really original information that cannot be found in any other book and it's really wonderful to read (I think I read it about 10 times).
I find "Cirion&Eorl" the dullest(compared to other stories-otherwise it's OK).

[Elfarmari]

Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin is definitely my favorite. I love description, and in this story Tolkien allow you to see what Tuor is seeing, and understand what he is thinking.

[Niniel]

I chose The tale of the Children of Hurin, especially because I like Hurin, and you get to know more about him in the story than in the Sil.

[DGoeij]

I can hardly choose. Several of these stories to me are really great. But the best ones IMO are those wich relate more directly to the Third Age and the War of the Ring. The 'prehistory' of ME has grand tales, but I tend find the 'recent' history more interesting.

[Ecthelion]

I like the Disaster of Gladden Feilds MUAHAHAHHAHAHH!!!!!!!!

[Ithrynluin]

DGoeij,which story of the 3rd Age do you find most interesting?

[Gil-Galad]

Well I like much the history about Hurin's children.I was shocked when I read it,I was so close to start crying like a child that I had to close the book for more than 2 hours and not to read it.

[DGoeij]

Originally posted by ithrynluin
DGoeij,which story of the 3rd Age do you find most interesting?

Practically all of them, actually. Part three and four happen to be my favorite pieces of information. Like the Disaster of the Galdden Fields, the Istari, of Cirion and Eorl, etc. Just like I find the last chapter of the Sil far more interesting. I like to read about the first and second age as well, but even there I look for those things that are mentioned in LOTR. Beren and Luthien for instance, Numenor, Galadriel, Elrond, Eagles, Sauron and so on. *shrug* I just notice I do. :)

[Ithrynluin]

DGoeij,I gotta say I agree with you completely. Though the 1st Age stories are just fine,I find everything that's connected to the 3rd Age somehow more exciting and gripping.I don't know why that is either :)

[Ponte]

The disaster of the Gladden fields is the best.

[Halasían]

I was debating between Hunt for the Ring and Gladden Fields, but also like the way Isen fills in the Rohan story about Theodens son Theodred. Aldaron & Erendis was good too as there is little on Numenor. My vote went to Gladden/Isen.

[emopansy]

unfished tales is my favorite book so they all make me smile but my love of turin gives it a biased. i mean come on how else of the edian have done so much though it was of course all perverted by morgoth.

[Elu Thingol]

The insight that the story of Galadriel and Celeborn gave me was great! Loved the whole book!

[Ancalagon]

I personally have always favoured the story of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin. Especially the relationship between himself and Voronwe and the interjection of Ulmo.

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by Elu Thingol
The insight that the story of Galadriel and Celeborn gave me was great! Loved the whole book!

I couldn't agree more! Now I feel bad about not voting for the history of G.&C.!:mad:

[Gil-Galad]

Having in mind Elu Thingol's thoughts,like ithrynluin,I really have to change my vote.:mad: .go ithrynluin

[gate7ole]

I voted for the Disaster of Gladden Fields, because there was a great gap missing, and this story comes to explain the fall of this great king.

[Anira the Elf]

I haven't read UT yet , but i own it. When i'm finished i'll tell u which one i like best.:D ;)

[Ithrynluin]

I have to say that I found "The Hunt for the Ring" fascinating also because it is such an exciting story full of tension.I especially liked the interaction between Saruman and the Nazgul and the many variations of the story.:)

[Gil-Galad]

Yeah,the interaction between the Nazgul and Saruman is interesting.As a whole all that part clearify some things which are not known and mentioned in LOTR,although it may seem complicated to someone,because of the different versions.;)

[Khamul]

The quest of Erebor/The hunt for the ring

I have always liked the stories involving Khamul. He has an aura of mystery around him, and any little fact is important.

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by Sting
I have always liked the stories involving Khamul. He has an aura of mystery around him, and any little fact is important.

Yes I also like any little shred of information I can get on the Nazgul, and I also think all of them are mysterious and we know scarcely anything about them.

[Azog]

I liked all of the stories, and I even did a book report once about "Narn I Hin Hurin" (I believe "The Children of Hurin").

[Bullitt]

I think that my favorite is "The Quest for Erebor/The Hunt for the Ring." Although I like a few of the other stories, "The Children of Hurin" etc.. But I liked the perspective that Tolkien takes to write this story. It is interesting delving into this story from Gandalf's perspective. I don't think I was quite as captivated with some of the other tales.

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Sting
I have always liked the stories involving Khamul. He has an aura of mystery around him, and any little fact is important.
For me Khamul is the nazgul of greatest importance for Sauron.And I do agree he has an aura of mystery about him.

[telperion]

I voted for the story of Tuer and Voronwe, its about a theme tokien writes very well. A hard journey that seems to have no end accompanied by waybread (lembas) and Ulmo’s cloak. Love the description of the wave that ulmo turns too , i;m a surfer myself and as glad to see the word surf being used two times… I’ve searched inthe LT for descriptions of waveriders under the teleri but got no further than an interesting description of elves playing with wales near the shore…

[telperion]

(wait a minute , how do i come by the description of 'guildsman'???
it has been a long time ago that i have been here but i was certainly not logged on as guildsman):confused:

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by telperion
I voted for the story of Tuer and Voronwe, its about a theme tokien writes very well. A hard journey that seems to have no end accompanied by waybread (lembas) and Ulmo’s cloak. Love the description of the wave that ulmo turns too , i;m a surfer myself and as glad to see the word surf being used two times… I’ve searched inthe LT for descriptions of waveriders under the teleri but got no further than an interesting description of elves playing with wales near the shore…


I'm glad you liked the story so much but I doubt that the word waves was used that way...And I doubt even more that the Teleri "rode the waves"....LOL!

BTW,your "guildsman" title will remain until you reach 100 posts. Then it will change into "loremaster" and you will be able to change it into whatever you like.:)

[telperion]

well, i really liked the idea of the teleri playing with the waves and ride them. But tolkien never wrote about it, Although i'm 100% procent sure they surfed all day, on long and short balsa wooden sticks. And that they were exceptionally good at it! :)

[Ithrynluin]

Hehe that paints a funny picture in my mind. While the Noldor are
a-fighting evil, Cirdan and his gang are riding the waves around the Isle of the Balar. ROTFL!:D :p

[telperion]

well, i was more thinking about the time after the awakenings at the lake cuivenen. The teleri loved the ocean so much they did not went to Aman.

[Sador]

The history of the Druedan. The woses, the wild men of the woods.
I find the possibility that the makers of the pukel stones may actually be some transitional form of orc who rebelled against the enemy totally fascinating.

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by Sador
The history of the Druedan. The woses, the wild men of the woods.
I find the possibility that the makers of the pukel stones may actually be some transitional form of orc who rebelled against the enemy totally fascinating.

What do you mean by "transitional form of orc"? I believe the Drúedain are some sort of a subgroup of the people of Haleth.

Welcome to TTF!:)

[telperion]

i thought zo too, the origin of orc is an entirenly different story

[Eledhwen]

But I voted for the Quest of Erebor and the Hunt for the Ring, because they flesh out background to The Hobbit. I bought UT initially because I wanted to read what was behind the Dwarves arriving at Bag End, but the story's so much deeper, and links The Hobbit more strongly into the Middle Earth saga.

[Sador]

There is a reference in UT about the origin of the Wild men of the woods in which is pointed out their special enmity towards orcs.
They came from the east and dwelt amongst, but separate from the people of Haleth.
Possibly it was an editorial note that speculated on the possibility that they were an early form of orc which the enemy could not daunt to his will.

[telperion]

the story about the different names and backgrounds of galadriel confuses me somewhat. For me it just cant be any way. either she went with feanor and looked upon the slaying of the teleri or she went to Middle earth earlier. i dunno, dont like that bit. the old bugger wrote a month before his death another plotline. was he so insecure or was he perfectionist? or both perhaps....
any thoughts on that?

[Blue Wizard]

Have not read the whole book yet, but it will still have to be The Istari.

[Aldarion]

What a surprise: Aldarion and Erendis & Tuor and his coming to Gondolin. Both are detailed lofty tales, especially A&E, one of the few stories out of Númenor.

Narn i Hîn Húrin is a bit dull and The Palantíri is frustrating in that Tolkien does not elborate on or confirm their possible maker/designer. ("The Noldor made them. Fëanor himself, maybe, wrought them, in days so long ago that the time cannot be measured in years." Gandalf to Pippin on the way to Minas Tirith in the Two Towers)

It's also interesting to read about the Elven mariners who took the Edain to Númenor at the end of A Description of Númenor.

Lastly, the Line of Elros is quite a fascinating summary of the history of Númenor - very easy to re-read again and again...

[Lhunithiliel]

I just wonder how you can CHOSE !!!!!!
I would not be able to say which one is my favourite!
They ALL are!

I am, however, bitterly sorry for them not to have been finished!

[Finduilas]

Well,I have just finished reading the tale about Aldarion and Erendis and I nearly fell in love with it(well,it was the same with the one of Beren and Luthien).I realy like those legends because they are most common to our life.After all ,love has always been the most important ... thing.

[telperion]

But i cannot understand that u compare A&E with beren and luthien; being a far more dramatic and phantastic tale, involving the reposession of a silmaril

[Finduilas]

I meant that I fell in love with them both.

[telperion]

first u say nearly and then it is love at first read?! I myself thought the the tale of A&E somewhat flat. The tale didnt go my way. I would like to have known more of the findings of the long journeys to ME in stead of the peaceful dealings on numenor. I actually always have a bitter taste of the good old england when i read of numenor. Why, you ask? Well, it;s an island in the west, where everything is merry when all is getting worse on the mainland. I have always believed these tales to be the lesser in the work of tolkien. Give me the tbolt 1&2 any day.

[Beleg]

Definately the tale of children of Hurin, afterall i looked for Turin all across the wilderness. why wont i love him!:cool:

[telperion]

beleg. do you secretly hope , as i do, that not all the elves has left middle earth and that some green and dark elves still wander around somewhere. They are after all made of the stuff of the earth, so why not...

[Eledhwen]

Originally posted by telperion
beleg. do you secretly hope , as i do, that not all the elves has left middle earth and that some green and dark elves still wander around somewhere. They are after all made of the stuff of the earth, so why not... We've got a story going in The Prancing Pony called "The Hobbit Estate", where a landowner is secretly harbouring the last of the Hobbits, and Tom Bombadil is guarding the forest.

[telperion]

hobbits? yes the small people or halflings may well weed their gardens somewhere or other. but to encounter an elf, that would be so magic that we shall expect the most of it. while it is even more likely that u have already met a tall person , kind and generous, and never even given it the least bit of thought .

[Goth-Morgorthau]

Dark Greetings

How many tales you know of Numenor and it's peoples? What's your favorite?

About an year ago I heard a rumour of a book/story named "Sauron in Numenor". Does anyone know if this even exists? :confused:

I thank thee

[Heathertoes]

If it exists it isn't by Tolkien.

[Beleg]

Ah Telpirion! You have just hit the nail! Now how would i love to have Malbung here! Do you know any of them? do tell me!

[telperion]

i know this isnt ontopic , but how would u describe that Malbung? u said that u have been looking for turin across the wilderness. IMHO 'looking for' is not the busiest of elvenpaths...

[telperion]

oh, and beleg, i always hit the nail right on its head...

[redline2200]

My fav story is probably the story of Erendis and Aldarion.

[telperion]

and my favourite stories are the quest for erebor and The tale of Tuor.

[Beleg]

I also Like the Coming of Tuor, but it isn't complete, otherwise it would have been a great one and what pissed me was that Tuor himself didn't play a big role, not accordingly to his own heart, it was elmo for whom he was speaking and elmo was guiding him and he said words on the bidding of Elmo and as much as i like Valinor i am not extrememly fond of the Valar for sentimental reasons.

[telperion]

sentmental or not, Ulmo is the word. and if u want to read on just read get the Sil or UT of the shelve. U should be staggered by the description of the seven gates.

the same goes for the quest for erebor. The material at hand should add to the Sill an LOTR . And those two do that. Also, if u are interested in Numenor, A&E add information.
thats why i donot like the tale of Galadriel and Celeborn that much.

[Wynston]

The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales both have good chapters about Nuemenor. The appendecies of LoTR have some good info as well. The story your speaking of, Sauron in Nuemenor, is in the chapter from the Sil.

[FoolOfATook]

There is a "Numinor" in a science fiction work written by one of Tolkien's dearest friends, C.S. Lewis,in his "Space Trilogy". In one of the Letters, Tolkien says that Lewis heard the name at an Inklings meeting and "adopted" it for his work. I don't think it bothered JRRT too much, however.

[Beleg]

The description of the seven gates is good enough but that's not Tolkien's style. his style is more bent towards the descripion of Human beings and the explaination of Living Beings and different incidents. And Besides the seven gates remind me of impearialism.

however the tale of a&E is a good one. I never liked Celeborn and Galadriel.

[telperion]

we defintely agree to disagree here.
I did not like A&E . and i think tolkiens best work was writing about the elves...

[Finduilas]

I did not like A&E . and i think tolkiens best work was writing about the elves...

:eek: :eek: This sounds crazy to me!I do adore that myth.
However,people have different opinions.:)

[telperion]

A&E is a very shallow tale of an begrudged wife left alone by a restless mariner. What would be interesting to know is the full account of what happened on those voyages Aldarion made. All we ever learn in this tale are the boring logistics of growing timber and keeping the havens in shape. No wonder the elven birds fled away back, back to taniquetil.
defenitly not the best of stories in UT.

im inclined to say that the numenoreans suck...

[Finduilas]

A&E is a very shallow tale of an begrudged wife left alone by a restless mariner.

There are no shallow stories. Entirely, every piece of art is inspirated by something and undoubtedly has a purpose.
We cannot say that a story which in a few sheets tells us so many truths about life is shallow.:eek:
And in conclusion I should say that the Numenoreans one of the most well developed characters which gain so many wise sayings and thiughts.;)

[Beleg]

I am with Findulus here. The story speaks of so many problems that we have to deal with in real life, and it shows a whole new style of Tolkien's writing. he was not only a fantasy writer, but also knew how to portray the exact feelings of a person. if you find the mention of Timber and other things boring then that's upto you, for It is a necassary part of the tale and besides its interesting that he mentiones so small facts that many would neglect them.

[telperion]

Why do you think these tales never made it to real printing??
some stories tolkien were never meant to be published...
Ok presuming we agree on the fact that this material selected by christopher was worth editing than u would agree with me that some tales have more depth, like any of those presented in the Sil,
That implies that some are more shallow. Like A&E is just a background story, unfinished and incomplete.
If u do not agree then tell me why the tale of the wife of the mariner was so important.

(A whole other discussion is that the numenoreans were sketched after the position in history of the British Isle, but thats a different discussion altogether because i dislike that fact)

[Lasgalen]

I voted for Narn i Hin Hurin. I had to read it slow, a little at a time or I would get overwhelmed with emotion. I also liked the info I got from History of Galadriel and Celeborn, but did not like the way it read.

-Lasgalen

[telperion]

I agree, the narn is one of the best stories in there,
why A&E is so welltold , i still cant understand because my attempt at disscusion is not answered by beleg. shame though, or did i corner him so?! :eek:

[telperion]

and finduilas too!

[Ithrynluin]

Whether Erendis and Aldarion is well told....I do not know. I do know that it is far more interesting for me than the Narn-i-hin-Hurin, which just goes on and on tediously like a snail.
But as the poll shows, many people love this story...I'll never understand that.:rolleyes:

[telperion]

although that was your 1000-th post, it is an ugly one...;)

[Beleg]

If Narn I Han Hurin goes off like a Snail then the other stories are probably unreadble. Narn I Han Hurin is the best tale Tolkien ever wrote. But that's my own thoughts.
And as for Teleperion, I didn't turn away from the discussion but i suggest that we make a new thread for the discussion of A & E. And you certainly didn 't corner me here! What's thy response? And if you dont want to make a new thread for the discussion of A&e, should we continue it here?

[Beleg]

Oh, Congragulations on the 1000'th post. I only wish i'd reach that figure by my deathtime. :mad:

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by Beleg_strongbow
If Narn I Han Hurin goes off like a Snail then the other stories are probably unreadble. Narn I Han Hurin is the best tale Tolkien ever wrote. But that's my own thoughts.


Of course. Whether a story will be interesting (or boring) to someone depends on the style of writing, the subject matter...etc. To me, every other story in the UT is more interesting than the Narn.
The stories that literally sucked me in are The History of Celeborn and Galadriel, The Istari, The Palantiri, The Druedain. I daresay these stories are fairly different in some aspects from the Narn-i-hin-Hurin.

And thank you for the congratulations, telperion and Beleg. Believe me, reaching the 1000th post is nothing special really.:rolleyes:

[Beleg]

ah, but it is! you have reached that, so you think its not a big deal but for poor little lurkers like me, that a party thing.
Anyway, yes to each his own. i do like the tale of Druedain, but Platari and Astari are in reality descriptive composition *** tales and so not really interesting.

[telperion]

why do i not hear any defence of A&E ???

[ssgrif]

I really enjoyed the section concerning Aldarion and Erendis. The guy did go on a heck of a lot of journeys in his ships, but it still made me want to read on.

I'm only just half way through the section concerning Celeborn and Galadriel, and thats really pulling me in, so my two faves so far have to be A&E plus C&G.

ssgrif

[Turin]

As you might have guessed my fave story is the children of Hurin. I really only like it because of Turin's sword Gurthang its awsome. UT Is my fave book of the History of Middle earth because its easyest to understand.

[Ithrynluin]

Unfinished Tales is actually not a part of the HOME series, but a separate work. Judging on its contents though, one could easily say that it IS a book of Middle Earth history.;)

[Turin]

Oh sorry . It does have some of middle earth's history in it though

[Beleg]

which just goes on and on tediously like a snail.
Well not exactly, it's just that Tolkien took the libility of describing each event, in great detail. This along with the Fall of Gondolin in BOLT2 are the most expressive stories that Tolkien wrote IMO.

[Inderjit S]

Unfinished Tales is actually not a part of the HOME series, but a separate work

But it contains several elements of HoME, such as some of 'Of Galadriel and Celeborn' which was lifted out of the 'Shibboleth of Feanor' and the 'Druedain' out of 'Of Dwarves and Men'. *some* though not I, do consider it 'HoME'.


I LOVED the Narn, it greatly improves on 'Turin Turumbar' and most of U.T was great, esp. Galadriel and Celeborn.

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by Inderjit S
But it contains several elements of HoME, such as some of 'Of Galadriel and Celeborn' which was lifted out of the 'Shibboleth of Feanor' and the 'Druedain' out of 'Of Dwarves and Men'. *some* though not I, do consider it 'HoME'.

Uh huh. That's why I said 'Judging by its contents though, one could easily say that it IS a book of Middle Earth history.' ;)

The Narn? Oh my, that was boooooooring... :D

[Inderjit S]

The Narn? Oh my, that was boooooooring...

*shakes fist* Yes but it contains so much info. on *sigh* Finduilas. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I think this would be better suited to the HoME section since many, such as myself ;) interpret 'other works' to be smaller works, non M-E (for the most part) works, such as Farmer Giles, Smith of Wooton Major etc.

[Beleg]

Yes but it contains so much info. on *sigh* Finduilas.

Spicey and Hot, hot things are said to be injurious to health....:) But the assumption is near correct...

[baragund]

My favorite was "Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin". I just enjoyed the heck out of JRRT's description of the seven gates leading to the city.

[Ingwë]

My favorite was "Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin".It is my favourite story, too. I prefer Tuor's coming to Gondolin than the description of the city.
I don't like the tale of the children of Hurin though it is very important part of the story of the first age. I think that Hurin it the second most tragic character in the Works of Tolkien.
I also like the tale of the Istari and that of Aldarion and Erendis.

[Azol]

I voted for the story of Tuor. My favourite part is his wanderings in Nevrast - "...Tuor stood alone upon the cliff with outspread arms..." which is as grand and poetical as most of the Silmarillion's texts.

[Rilien]

I voted for the story of Tuor. My favourite part is his wanderings in Nevrast - "...Tuor stood alone upon the cliff with outspread arms..." which is as grand and poetical as most of the Silmarillion's texts.

My sentiments exactly!