Tolkien's Legendarium: Essays on The History of Middle-earth (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy)

As a scholar of medieval languages and literature, J.R.R. Tolkien brought to his fiction an intense interest in myth and legend. When he died in 1973, he left behind a vast body of unpublished material related to his fictive mythology. Now edited and published as The History of Middle-earth by his son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, these 12 volumes provide a record of the growth of J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology from its beginnings in 1917 to the time of his death more than 50 years later. The material in these volumes offers an unparalleled insight into Tolkien's process of myth-making and is a guide to the world of his literary works. This book is the first comprehensive critical examination of Christopher Tolkien's compilation of his father's Middle-earth legends. An opening essay by Rayner Unwin, Tolkien's publisher for many years, surveys the publication history of the collection. The essays that follow, each written by an expert contributor, explore a wide range of topics related to The History of Middle-earth. Included are discussions of Tolkien's languages, the evolution of his vision over time, the shifting importance of central characters, and the effect of his mythology on The Lord of the Rings. By exploring this mythological compendium, the volume sheds further light on the entire body of J.R.R. Tolkien's works and is a valuable resource for all readers interested in his writings. The history Rayner Unwin — Early Days of Elder Days Christina Scull — The Development of Tolkien's Legendarium: Some Threads in the Tapestry of Middle-earth Wayne G. Hammond — 'A Continuing and Evolving Creation': Distractions in the Later History of Middle-earth Charles Noad — On the Construction of The Silmarillion David Bratman — The Literary Value of The History of Middle-earth The languages Christopher Gilson — Gnomish is Sindarin: The Conceptual Evolution of an Elvish Language Arden R. Smith — Certhas, Skirditaila, Futhark: A Feigned History of Runic Origins Patrick Wynne and Carl F. Hostetter — Three Elvish Verse Modes: Ann-thennath, Minlamad thent / estent, and Linnod The cauldron and the cook Joe R. Christopher — Tolkien's Lyric Poetry Paul Edmund Thomas — Some of Tolkien's Narrators Verlyn Flieger — The Footsteps of Ælfwine John D. Rateliff — The Lost Road, The Dark Tower, and The Notion Club Papers: Tolkien and Lewis's Time Travel Triad Marjorie Burns — Gandalf and Odin Richard C. West — Túrin's Ofermod: An Old English Theme in the Development of the Story of Túrin Appendix Douglas A. Anderson — Christopher Tolkien: A Bibliography Offers an insight into Tolkien's process of myth-making. The essays explore a wide range of topics related to "The History of Middle-Earth", including discussions of Tolkien's languages, the evolution of his vision over time, and the shifting importance of central characters Sheds new light on J.R.R. Tolkien's fictive mythology and gives scholars and lay readers an increased understanding of the scope and philosophical background of his major works. When, in the autumn of 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien offered The History of Middle-earth-or at least some parts of it-to his publisher it was turned down flat.