Reviews

The Book of Lost Tales, Part One by J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien

triceliatops's review against another edition

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http://sphinxou.wordpress.com/2014/07/08/le-livre-des-contes-perdus-partie-1-_-tolkien/

librarybrooke's review against another edition

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Bailing at p53. While I think it’s sweet that Christopher Tolkien committed himself academically to his dad’s work, this book spends way too much time discussing JRR’s process in writing it and not enough time on the actual stories. Would have much preferred a slim volume of the actual stories with maybe one paragraph of discussion.  

vulturetime's review against another edition

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3.5

It was really interesting to read about the evolution of some of Tolkien's stories, and not going to lie, some of the original versions here are fascinating to think about. There some hits and some misses with the stories, but if you're invested in learning more of the different drafts Tolkien made and the different stages of the stories, then I would recommend. 

aparuive's review against another edition

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inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

jennyreadsalot's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

Not for the casual reader

For a Tolkien die hard this is very cool because this tracks how those stories that we love so much came into being. The rough edits that then were revised and transformed into those stories we know and love so much. If however you are not a Tolkien die hard I would give it a miss, it is very heavy going and gets confusing in quite a few places, something that Christopher Tolkien (who put these books together after his fathers death) says almost prevented him from publishing them. For my middle earth obsessives yes you absolutely want to read this, for anyone else I don’t think you’ll enjoy it

acire_13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging slow-paced

2.5

actionman's review against another edition

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4.0

More Tolkien is always good

kbuchanan's review against another edition

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3.0

An interesting dive into the early versions of the mythos that would become "The Simarillion." I actually found the somewhat strange frame narrative to be rather comforting. There are some gems here, and the Cottage of Lost Play is fascinating. I did find it difficult to keep track of all of the various alternate names for each member of the Valar, however, despite Christopher Tolkien's copious notes. Great for devotees, sometimes a struggle for mere enthusiasts!

turtletrackz's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.0

keasley8's review against another edition

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challenging slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0