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A review by barnesstorming
The Fall of Gondolin by J.R.R. Tolkien
3.0
This is a great book to study the writing and process of Tolkien, but less so a great story. The various incarnations of "The Fall of Gondolin" saga are presented rather schizophrenically, though it's understandable why Chrisptopher Tolkien organized it in the way he did.
There are maybe four drafts of the tale presented, at least in part, through the book. The first version presented is the only complete telling of the story, but I found the prose rather thin until the final third, which vividly paints the battle of Gondolin. The best telling of the story is what Christopher deems "the final version" -- but despite its strength, he is compelled to print it last, as it was sadly unfinished.
In my heart, I wanted an amalgam of the two versions: A more or less complete story that begins with the rich telling the of the final version that switches to the complete (but more thinly written) story. This would have given us a strong opening third and a strong battle sequence in the final third, but a thin middle section. It also would've required some transition writing and amendments to Tolkien's original texts. This last fact is why, I'm sure, that Christopher didn't follow this path. From a less puritanical point of view, taking some liberties with Tolkien's actual written word would've made the best tale. But as this book is only going to appeal to Tolkien purists, I can imagine the torch-and-pitchfork response the son would've received for taking this tack.
There are maybe four drafts of the tale presented, at least in part, through the book. The first version presented is the only complete telling of the story, but I found the prose rather thin until the final third, which vividly paints the battle of Gondolin. The best telling of the story is what Christopher deems "the final version" -- but despite its strength, he is compelled to print it last, as it was sadly unfinished.
In my heart, I wanted an amalgam of the two versions: A more or less complete story that begins with the rich telling the of the final version that switches to the complete (but more thinly written) story. This would have given us a strong opening third and a strong battle sequence in the final third, but a thin middle section. It also would've required some transition writing and amendments to Tolkien's original texts. This last fact is why, I'm sure, that Christopher didn't follow this path. From a less puritanical point of view, taking some liberties with Tolkien's actual written word would've made the best tale. But as this book is only going to appeal to Tolkien purists, I can imagine the torch-and-pitchfork response the son would've received for taking this tack.