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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
This is an unfinished manuscript of one of the first attempts of the author to create a work of fantasy fiction. Although it is rather wasted on me, or maybe I should say because I am not educated in advance literature and read merely for my own pleasure it is none the less interesting. That being said many people will literally drool over this work when studying Tolkienology. It's no doubt that the author was an intelligent person and in his completed works this shines though so I have to give this the highest stars possible. It is what the synopsis says it is...nothing more and nothing less, so enjoy.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A short story, one of Tolkien's earliest attempts to retell a legend with his own twist. Never even heard about Finnish mythology before so that was interesting. It's super important in the development of Tolkien's legendarium but I don't feel this is a must-read, however if you're into Tolkien, by all means go for it! The essays at the end are good too but the two essays by Tolkien are basically the same, with only minor differences between them.
This was an interesting part of Tolkien's lesser-known early writings, though I will say that the two essays he wrote were too similar and maybe should have been edited into one. Also, while Verlyn Flieger is a much, much better editor than, say, Alan Bliss (I still have Finn and Hengest trauma), I don't find that her essay added much to the book and perhaps her points should have been conveyed through longer commentary sections.
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: this is not a “pure” story. There are notes and essays and a lot of other non-story things. If that bothers you, don’t bother reading this.
Personally, I am in awe of this little book. I have gained so much understanding of the way Tolkien wrote his stories. The story itself was beautiful, albeit strange from my culture’s standpoint. However, I am both challenged and inspired by seeing some of Tolkien’s unfinished works. This book made me want to pour everything into my writing again and to write something strange or unusual.
It was always fascinating seeing how Tolkien took a story he saw as strangely beautiful, yet impersonal and made it deeply personal. Although the original was not his story, it also gave me some great insights on how to edit my own stories. Although this little book was not what I was expecting, I am deeply grateful that I read it.
Personally, I am in awe of this little book. I have gained so much understanding of the way Tolkien wrote his stories. The story itself was beautiful, albeit strange from my culture’s standpoint. However, I am both challenged and inspired by seeing some of Tolkien’s unfinished works. This book made me want to pour everything into my writing again and to write something strange or unusual.
It was always fascinating seeing how Tolkien took a story he saw as strangely beautiful, yet impersonal and made it deeply personal. Although the original was not his story, it also gave me some great insights on how to edit my own stories. Although this little book was not what I was expecting, I am deeply grateful that I read it.
The Story of Kullervo itself is stunning. my heart was shredded and mended and shredded again and I loved every minute of it. I gave it 3 stars because the parts written by the editor are rather dry. Tolkien's essays, while also dry, are fascinating. I would have liked to have been a student of his.
The interesting thing about this book is not the story but rather to witness the evolution of a writer. Verlyn Flieger does a wonderful job drawing a line from Kullervo to Turin to the Silmarillion and the Lord of the Rings. For fans of Tolkien, this is a must read.
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes