J.R.R. Tolkien discussion

To mark the publication of the newest (and oldest!) Of Tolkien's works, I've added an extra Group Read for The Story of Kullervo. I'm not sure if it's published yet in all territories, hence the long duration for this one. Also, anybody getting this for a present at the festive season will have an opportunity to join in the discussion :-)

It will be available in the US April 5, 2016. Way too long to wait but I've already pre-ordered it!

Oh,wow!I can't believe you have to wait so long. Even Treebeard would get impatient waiting until then! If somebody would be kind enough to remind me if I forget, I'll reschedule it for a second discussion in April :-)

Well I just got it as an eBook through my library. So it's available in digital format here. But the hard copy won't be available until April. So I will start on it now!

Just looked on Amazon and mine is on its way.

Well didn't I get my dates all wrong! Barnes and Noble will lose business if they don't get with the program because that's where I looked.

Shellie wrote: "Well didn't I get my dates all wrong! Barnes and Noble will lose business if they don't get with the program because that's where I looked."

It's showing as available on Amazon UK, but unavailable on Amazon USA, so maybe there is a different release date.

An interesting observation by the editor, Verlyn Flieger, in the introduction (page xvii): "... it is no exaggeration to say that without The Kalevala there would be no Story of Kullervo, and without The Story of Kullervo there would be no Túrin." Obviously, without Túrin there would be no The Children of Húrin, so as short and unfinished as this work is, it clearly has an important place in the conception and development of Tolkien's legendarium.

So, I've read Tolkien's story and enjoyed it. Phew! Always a bit nerve wracking to read a favourite author's early work.

As in many of his other writings, the story is a mix of prose and poetry, the latter pleasingly sticking to the Kalevala metre made famous in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's The Song of Hiawatha.

It is a dark story of betrayal, murder and revenge, so definitely not one for the younger children. It is written in an 'antique' style, which may not be everybody's cup of tea, but it's relatively short so not a chore to read, I think.

Now on to the editor's notes and commentary.

I took Verlyn Flieger's course through Signum University last year called Tolkien and Tradition. We read the Story of Kullervo and the original Kalevala but it will be so awesome to have her final edited version of the story. I guess the American release date is April 5, 2016. I will wait that long. It is well worth the read and the wait.

Shellie wrote: "I took Verlyn Flieger's course through Signum University last year called Tolkien and Tradition. We read the Story of Kullervo and the original Kalevala but it will be so awesome to have her final..."

What a cool course to be able to do!

Anne Marie wrote: "Neil wrote: "Just looked on Amazon and mine is on its way."

Amazon or Amazon.uk? I looked on the former and it is only available for pre-order. Not fair that those of us on the American side of th..."

Yes, Amazon UK. They delivered it today. Just order one from UK from either Amazon or Abe, they will ship it.

Michael wrote: What a cool course to be able to do!

Oh it was! She has also written some other books. In particular "Green Suns and Faerie" and "Interrupted Music" both really touch upon much of what we discussed in the course if you're interested.

Thanks, Shellie - I'll think about putting them on my tottering TBR pile! :-D

Yes and although it is not confirmed, I expect she will probably do Tolkien and Tradition again in the future and perhaps add this to the reading list! Or have a class on this subject alone! Fingers crossed! I'd take that class :)

I began to read it today. It seems to be an interesting reading.

Rafael wrote: "I began to read it today. It seems to be an interesting reading."

I really enjoyed it, Rafael. I hope you do to :-)

Thank you, Michael. Me too.

I read it and I liked. Is different when it is not all created by Tolkien, the tale is interesting and the information about the Kalevala was such a good reading.