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visualweasel
Nargothrond
Jan 6 2009, 4:31pm
Post #1 of 19
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A new Tolkien book coming in May ...
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Has anyone else just seen this? According to The Tolkien Library, this May will bring us The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited and introduced by Christopher Tolkien. From The Tolkien Library —
The previously unpublished work was written while Tolkien was professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University during the 1920s and '30s, before he wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The publication will make available for the first time Tolkien’s extensive retelling in English narrative verse of the epic Norse tales of Sigurd the Völsung and the Fall of the Niflungs.
And from David Brawn, of HarperCollins UK —
It is an entirely unpublished work, dates from around the early 1930s, and will be published - all being well - in May this year. Otherwise the clue as to what the book will contain is in the title - THE LEGEND OF SIGURD AND GUDRUN. You will surmise from this that it is not a Middle-earth book, but we are confident that Tolkien fans will be fascinated by it.
Something to look forward to! At least for the medievalists among us. Follow the link above for a summary of the Norse subject matter the work is expected to treat.
Jason Fisher
Lingwë - Musings of a Fish
The Lord of the Rings discussion 2007-2008 – The Two Towers – III.4 “Treebeard” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
“On Fairy-stories” discussion 2008 – “Origins” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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visualweasel
Nargothrond
Jan 6 2009, 5:00pm
Post #2 of 19
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I probably should have added ...
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... that I have blogged about this, with some additional brief thoughts as to the nature of the material, over at my blog, Lingwë – Musings of a Fish. Feel free to read and/or comment, there or here.
Jason Fisher
Lingwë - Musings of a Fish
The Lord of the Rings discussion 2007-2008 – The Two Towers – III.4 “Treebeard” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
“On Fairy-stories” discussion 2008 – “Origins” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Voronwë_the_Faithful
Doriath
Jan 6 2009, 5:11pm
Post #3 of 19
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I'm a bit suspicious about this project.
I'd much prefer that the long-awaited translation of Beowulf be released instead.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'
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visualweasel
Nargothrond
Jan 6 2009, 5:23pm
Post #4 of 19
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I too would love to see those published. But I'm happy to have any new material, especially of this particular nature (since there's relatively little of it published). Preparing the Beowulf translations (which may even be underway again, for all we know) would be a much, much bigger task; it doesn't surprise me they would go for another quick hit like this. Perhaps "The Fall of Arthur" will be published one day soon, too. We can hope.
Jason Fisher
Lingwë - Musings of a Fish
The Lord of the Rings discussion 2007-2008 – The Two Towers – III.4 “Treebeard” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
“On Fairy-stories” discussion 2008 – “Origins” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Jazmine
Dor-Lomin
Jan 6 2009, 9:50pm
Post #5 of 19
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My birthday is in May so I will include this when I start dropping hints for what presents I'd like! (Dropping ridiculously obvious hints is the only way to ensure my father won't buy me something useless like the stapleless stapler he got me last year. Good idea in theory, but has a 4 sheet maximum limit!)
*Jazminatar the Brown*
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N.E. Brigand
Gondolin
Jan 6 2009, 11:29pm
Post #6 of 19
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Could you elaborate on your suspicions?
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Arguably the prose and unfinished poetic translations of Beowulf, being merely translations, are less important than original work by Tolkien, albeit work that elaborates on an existing tradition.
What I'd really like to see is "Sellic Spell", Tolkien's short story that tells a folktale meant to underlie Beowulf. That one was accepted for publication by the Welsh Review before that journal folded.
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We're discussing The Lord of the Rings in the Reading Room, Oct. 15, 2007 - Mar. 22, 2009!
Join us Jan. 5-11 for "Homeward Bound".
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Voronwë_the_Faithful
Doriath
Jan 6 2009, 11:52pm
Post #7 of 19
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I would be happy to be proven wrong ...
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... but I doubt that it truly is a significant enough work to justify a full book by itself, even with commentary by Christopher. I think it is likely to be the type of thing that would work well published in Tolkien Studies, or something like that (like the Reeve's Tale and Chaucer as Philologist material published in Tolkien Studies V).
And I don't know if I agree with you that an original work by Tolkien necessarily is more important than the Beowulf translations. It depends on the nature of the original work. But I think the Beowulf translations potentially have a pretty high degree of scholarly importance.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'
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Aelfwine
Ossiriand
Jan 7 2009, 12:33am
Post #8 of 19
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I doubt that it truly is a significant enough work to justify a full book by itself, even with commentary by Christopher.
Well, I've read the whole work in draft, and I disagree. I found the work so stirring in a characteristically Tolkienian way that by the end it was all I could do to keep from jumping up, grabbing a sword, and killing some Huns. Your mileage may vary, of course.
At any rate, the notion that this book comes at the expense of the Beowulf translation depends on the assumption that Christopher Tolkien intends to edit the latter personally, which is not at all in evidence.
--
Carl F. Hostetter
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Voronwë_the_Faithful
Doriath
Jan 7 2009, 12:38am
Post #9 of 19
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I did say I would be happy to be proven wrong!
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I doubt that it truly is a significant enough work to justify a full book by itself, even with commentary by Christopher. Well, I've read the whole work in draft, and I disagree. I found the work so stirring in a characteristically Tolkienian way that by the end it was all I could do to keep from jumping up, grabbing a sword, and killing some Huns. Your mileage may vary, of course. At any rate, the notion that this book comes at the expense of the Beowulf translation depends on the assumption that Christopher Tolkien intends to edit the latter personally, which is not at all in evidence.
Needless to say, you are in a much better position to judge than I. I certainly am much more encouraged about the project now! Thanks for posting!
I will certainly understand if you can't answer, but I would be interested in knowing how long the poem itself actually is.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'
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Aelfwine
Ossiriand
Jan 7 2009, 12:48am
Post #10 of 19
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The book comprises two poems (each in several parts), the first concerning the life and death of Sigurd, the second the subsequent life of Gudrún and the fall of the Niflungs. Both are substantial: the first has 339 stanzas, the second 166 stanzas.
--
Carl F. Hostetter
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Mark Sommer
Ossiriand
Jan 7 2009, 1:04am
Post #11 of 19
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HarperCollins and Houghton Mifflin?
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The Children of Húrin was published by Houghton Mifflin in the United States. Does anyone know if this new book will also be published by both?
Mark Sommer
Hollywood Jesus The Hobbit Whole
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Voronwë_the_Faithful
Doriath
Jan 7 2009, 1:38am
Post #12 of 19
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Thank you very much, Carl! I am now officially excited.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'
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visualweasel
Nargothrond
Jan 7 2009, 4:11am
Post #13 of 19
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My guess would be only HarperCollins, but that's based on recent precedent with the expanded editions of Smith of Wootton Major and Tolkien On Fairy-stories. But ... if the more apt comparison is to The Children of Húrin, then perhaps Houghton Mifflin will publish it here in the U.S. I hope so!
Jason Fisher
Lingwë - Musings of a Fish
The Lord of the Rings discussion 2007-2008 – The Two Towers – III.4 “Treebeard” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
“On Fairy-stories” discussion 2008 – “Origins” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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visualweasel
Nargothrond
Jan 7 2009, 4:13am
Post #14 of 19
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Thanks indeed for that first-hand testimonial
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I can hardly wait now to read this! (I was eager before, but my excitement has trebled at hearing how good it really is!)
Jason Fisher
Lingwë - Musings of a Fish
The Lord of the Rings discussion 2007-2008 – The Two Towers – III.4 “Treebeard” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
“On Fairy-stories” discussion 2008 – “Origins” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Aelfwine
Ossiriand
Jan 7 2009, 11:07am
Post #15 of 19
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You know as much as I do. I read the work in draft and knew that it had been submitted to HC, but beyond that I know nothing.
--
Carl F. Hostetter
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diedye
Hithlum
Jan 7 2009, 6:13pm
Post #16 of 19
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I would love to see John Howe illustrate it...
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Is this book done in prose form?
Blessed are the cracked,
For they are the ones who let in the light!
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visualweasel
Nargothrond
Jan 7 2009, 6:42pm
Post #17 of 19
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Jason Fisher
Lingwë - Musings of a Fish
The Lord of the Rings discussion 2007-2008 – The Two Towers – III.4 “Treebeard” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
“On Fairy-stories” discussion 2008 – “Origins” – Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Voronwë_the_Faithful
Doriath
Jan 7 2009, 7:47pm
Post #18 of 19
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It will be interesting to see ...
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... if there will be any significant market for a book of verse written by Tolkien about a relatively obscure topic. There certainly should be, but whether there is is another question.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'
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Malveth The Eternal
Menegroth
Jan 11 2009, 2:41pm
Post #19 of 19
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I'll get an import if I have to.
Really want to read this one...
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