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nefilibata's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The core story is quite interesting but there is a lot of information that goes far beyond what a casual enjoyed might want.
scarletsky's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
athousandgreatbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Beren is a mortal man, Luthien an immortal Elf, and between them lies an impossible task.
Thingol, the Elven King of Doriath, imposes on Beren an impossible task that he must fulfil before he can wed his daughter, Luthien. Undaunted by the enormity of the task, Beren sets out to do what no Elf nor Man nor Dwarf has ever dared – attempting to rob a Silmaril, a hallowed jewel, from the crown of the Dark Enemy, Morgoth’s crown.
But Beren cannot manage alone where all else have hitherto failed. With the help of Huan the Hound of Valinor, the oath of Finrod the Elven King of Nargothrond, and the undying love and magic of Luthien, Beren manages what could not be accomplished in the two great battles theretofore, of Dagor Aglareb (Glorious Battle) and Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame).
The story is painstakingly restored from Tolkien’s manuscripts by his son Christopher Tolkien, presented in both prose and lyrical form. In actuality, I thought the book could be 100 pages short, for Christopher Tolkien goes on to elaborate how the different sections of the story are put together, at what times his father could have written them, and why some sections were left out in The Silmarillion. All this seemed unnecessary to me, and other than reminding the reader of the numerous threads of the Silmarillion, it didn’t do much.
Nevertheless, the story is beautifully told, as can be expected from Tolkien. Needless to say, one must read this only after reading The Silmarillion. The illustrations by Alan Lee were truly a delight that caught critical moments of the story splendidly.
Thingol, the Elven King of Doriath, imposes on Beren an impossible task that he must fulfil before he can wed his daughter, Luthien. Undaunted by the enormity of the task, Beren sets out to do what no Elf nor Man nor Dwarf has ever dared – attempting to rob a Silmaril, a hallowed jewel, from the crown of the Dark Enemy, Morgoth’s crown.
But Beren cannot manage alone where all else have hitherto failed. With the help of Huan the Hound of Valinor, the oath of Finrod the Elven King of Nargothrond, and the undying love and magic of Luthien, Beren manages what could not be accomplished in the two great battles theretofore, of Dagor Aglareb (Glorious Battle) and Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame).
The story is painstakingly restored from Tolkien’s manuscripts by his son Christopher Tolkien, presented in both prose and lyrical form. In actuality, I thought the book could be 100 pages short, for Christopher Tolkien goes on to elaborate how the different sections of the story are put together, at what times his father could have written them, and why some sections were left out in The Silmarillion. All this seemed unnecessary to me, and other than reminding the reader of the numerous threads of the Silmarillion, it didn’t do much.
Nevertheless, the story is beautifully told, as can be expected from Tolkien. Needless to say, one must read this only after reading The Silmarillion. The illustrations by Alan Lee were truly a delight that caught critical moments of the story splendidly.
saumith's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
nickiitay's review against another edition
3.0
The tale of Beren and Luthien is amazing, but the second half of the book is strictly about how the tale evolved over time to fit into the great First Age stories told in the Silmarillion. I wouldn’t recommend this, or Fall of Gondolin, to anyone unless they were interested in Tolkien’s revisions to his works, or reading excerpts from his unpublished narrative poems.
scylla87's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
jere_127's review against another edition
3.0
Going through Beren and Luthien was definitely a chore. I was expecting a single story much in the way of Children of Hurin, but did not find it. The story, through its several retellings, elaborates in the expansive Tolkienverse and surely has it's merits for it, but unless you're a huge Tolkien fan, i wouldn't really recommend this book.
bookdreamer24's review against another edition
5.0
Tolkien is an excellent writer. I liked the combination of text and poetry. Has a similar feel in someways to the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.