Tolkien's Book of Lost Tales Vol I

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Is this a companion to the Silmarillion or is this early drafts and stuff like that? I read some of the intro by C. Tolkien and I'm not sure if this is stuff that may conflict with the published Silmarillion or not.

 

[GreenLantern]

I am by no means a Tolkien expert, but from what I can recall, the book of lost tales are additional stories (I believe the essay on the Istari (i.e., the wizards) was among them), and are not early drafts of Sil.

For that, you probably have to refer to Christopher Tolkien's Histories of Middle Earth series, which talks about the development of middle-earth, from the first age through. Someone correct me though if I'm mistaken.

 

[Welverin]

I am by no means a Tolkien expert, but from what I can recall, the book of lost tales are additional stories (I believe the essay on the Istari (i.e., the wizards) was among them), and are not early drafts of Sil.

That's Unfinished Tales. The books, along with tBoLT2, are collections of stories that Tolkien never finished , much like the Silmarillion. The stoires in these books however are in an even less finished state than those in the Silmarillion.

 

[Dark Jezter]

On a semi-related note, I would only recommend reading The Silmarillion and the Book of Last Tales if you are a die-hard LotR fan who wants to know as much about the history of Middle-Earth as possible. I've tried repeatedly to get through them, but have always ended up putting them away in disinterest.

The Silmarillion and The Book of Lost Tales can be terribly dry reading. In fact, at many times they read like a college textbook rather than an actual novel.

Some people really like them, but for me and a few of my friends, they are terribly boring.

 

[GreenLantern]

Ahh.. thanks for the correction.

One recommendation I can make with confidence is the Tolkien "Letters". It's a collection of letters (many to fans) from Tolkien, which answer many questions about his works -- very much worth reading!

 

[Wormwood]

On a semi-related note, I would only recommend reading The Silmarillion and the Book of Last Tales if you are a die-hard LotR fan who wants to know as much about the history of Middle-Earth as possible.

You're point is well taken, but I believe that one needn't be a rabid Tolkien completist to enjoy the Silmarillion.

Someone with an avid interest in mythology (especially the Eddas, the Kalavela, etc) may also find Tolkien's invented mythology entertaining. The early chapters are told in an poetic, almost liturgical style, while the later stories read like an Elvish Bullfinch's.

As for Lost Tales (or any of the Histories), you're absolutely correct. Die-hards only.

 

[kengar]

It took me a few false starts to get through the Simarillion, but once you get a little ways into it, it's a very engaging story.

 

[Claude Raines]

Actually, the Book of Lost Tales 1 & 2 are the earliest writings of what eventually became the Silmarillion. It's told in a much different light, but the basic genesis of what became middle earth through the first age is there. Although most of the tales are somewhat incomplete, they are much more fleshed out than the Silmarillion which is very dry from the fact that is became quite condensed. So far I've found the whole History of Middle Earth series quite engaging. It really gives insight into what was going on in Tolkien's head with regard to Middle Earth.

 

[Doug Justice]

On a semi-related note, I would only recommend reading The Silmarillion and the Book of Last Tales if you are a die-hard LotR fan who wants to know as much about the history of Middle-Earth as possible. I've tried repeatedly to get through them, but have always ended up putting them away in disinterest.

The Silmarillion and The Book of Lost Tales can be terribly dry reading. In fact, at many times they read like a college textbook rather than an actual novel.

Some people really like them, but for me and a few of my friends, they are terribly boring.

If you have trouble getting into reading them, I highly recommend the audio books as read by Martin Shaw. They are spectacular and might just change your mind on the Silmarillion.

 

[Wormwood]

If you have trouble getting into reading them, I highly recommend the audio books as read by Martin Shaw. They are spectacular and might just change your mind on the Silmarillion.

I find that the audiobooks are really great if you've already read the books---but if you are unfamiliar with the Silmarillion you may find yourself constantly reaching for the rewind button.

Lots of names and places to keep track of.

I'd recommend keeping the book handy as reference material if you go the audiobook route.