Rating: 
Summary: A real Silmaril in the making
Review: This is the third book in the Histories of Middle-Earth, compiled and commented on by Tolkien's son Christopher. The first two, titled The Book of Lost Tales I & II, were the earliest writings that became the Silmarillion. Their basic premise was that an Englishman named Eriol finds a lost island populated by Elves who tell him a series of stories or "Lost Tales". These were loosely divided into chapters, each ending with a few or more pages of commentary by Christopher. By the end though we learn that Tolkien is not truly satisfied with the delivery or the full content of the tales, so he embarks upon rewriting them in different styles. One style was a narrative prose that is partially covered in book IV called The Shaping of Middle-Earth and which eventually becomes the Silmarillion. He also tried them in a style of epic poetic metre, the sum of which is known as The Lays of Beleriand.
Introductions aside, the book itself is divided into four major sections, beginning with the Lay of the Children of Hurin. Alas, this is probably the saddest and most tragic tale that Tolkien ever penned, and this is deepened when he translates it into verse. It should also be said here that it is written in alliterative verse meaning that at least two but usually more words have the same beginning sound. I shall give here the first seven lines that not only show you the style and how the words flow, but also they are a brief synopsis of the story itself:
Lo! The golden dragon of the God of Hell,
The gloom of the woods of the world now gone,
The woes of Men and the weeping of Elves
Fading faintly down forest pathways,
Is now to tell, and the name most tearful
Of Níniel the Sorrowful, and the name most sad
Of Thalion's son Turin o'erthrown by fate.
It continues in this style for about 2270 more lines, going through the history of Turin's father, Hurin, and how he came to be Morgoth's prisoner, doomed to helplessly watch everything that befalls his cursed children. It then details Turin being fostered by the elves of Doriath, to the tragic story of his friendship with the elf Beleg, who he accidentally slays by his own hand. The final part translated into verse is about Failivrin, and the beginnings of their tragic love for each other. It ends here, little more than half of the full tale, sadly abandoned so that he could work on other projects.
The second section is only thirteen pages long, composed of a few brief starts at setting some of the earlier tales to verse. The Flight of the Noldoli details the beginning of the first kinslaying on the shores of Valinor. This is very short (146 lines) with much unreached potential. Next are 38 lines about Earendil, and then an even shorter start to the Fall of Gondolin.
The Lay of Lethien, the third section of this book, is where Tolkien's heart truly was. Here we are given 4223 lines written in octosyllabic couplets (meaning that each line is made up of eight syllables) for which I shall give an example:
A king there was in days of old:
Ere Men yet walked upon the mould
His power was reared in cavern's shade,
His hand was over glen and glade.
It continues on in this fashion, most brilliantly, rarely bogging down. This story is carried most of the way through, abruptly stopping with Beren losing his hand after wresting a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown. The beauty of this story is enhanced by Tolkien's skill as a poet, making it, even though unfinished, one of his brightest gems in a dazzling array of works.
We are then left with the fourth and final section, The Lay of Lethien Recommenced. Here we are taken through about 700 lines of rewritten bits. Not many changes happen to the story, but there are some interesting technical changes to the wording, giving us an idea of how devoted Tolkien was to this tale, constantly coming back to it, until he gives his full weight to the writing of the more popular Lord of the Rings.
Throughout the book we are given some special treats as well. There are a few reprints of Tolkien's original manuscripts that are written quite beautifully in English, but we are also given two pages of The Lay of Lethien written in Elvish! Also there are 14 pages of commentary by C. S. Lewis, written as if he were a group of ancient scholars each with their own say on the text. A very fun read.
To say that this book is worth reading is an understatement. Not only does Tolkien write wonderful and inspiring verse, but his son Christopher does an outstanding job of going over everything and giving a step by step of his father's writings and their many changes. Personally this is one of my favorite Tolkien books, in some ways even more so than LOTR, just because of the effort that was put into these lays almost eclipses his much longer effort to write the novels. These were the stories that consumed his mind from the beginning of his writing career until his much-lamented death.
Enjoy and cherish this book.
Rating:
Summary: "The light upon the leaves of trees"
Review: "The Lays of Beleriand" contains two of the most ambitious (but sadly unfinished) of J. R. R. Tolkien's retellings of stories from his "Silmarillion" mythology in various literary forms. "The Lay of the Children of Hurin" tells the story of the early life of Turin in alliterative verse. "The Lay of Leithian" tells the story of Beren and Luthien and their quest for a Silmaril in octosyllabic couplets."The Lay of Leithian" is considered by many Tolkien fans, including myself, to be one of the greatest pieces of literature composed by Tolkien, ranking alongside "The Lord of the Rings" itself. Although unfinished, it is the most complete and elaborate version he ever wrote of the story of Beren and Luthien, which was probably closer to his heart than any other legend of his Middle-earth. Reading this poem lets one see that, in a very real sense, Beren and Luthien are the heart of Tolkien's entire legendarium. "The Lay of the Children of Hurin" also holds an important place in Tolkien's total corpus of writings as the only source for fully detailed versions of important episodes in the story of Turin: his accidental slaying of his best friend, his healing by the Lake of Ivrin, and his coming to Nargothrond and first meeting with Finduilas. This poem should be read in tandem with the accounts of Turin in "The Silmarillion" and "Unfinished Tales" to gain a full picture of Tolkien's total imagination of Turin's tragic story. "The Lays of Beleriand" is one of the three or four most important volumes in "The History of Middle-earth," and is my own personal sentimental favorite of all of J. R. R. Tolkien's books.
Rating:
Summary: "The light upon the leaves of trees"
Review: "The Lays of Beleriand" contains two of the most ambitious (but sadly unfinished) of J. R. R. Tolkien's retellings of stories from his "Silmarillion" mythology in various literary forms. "The Lay of the Children of Hurin" tells the story of the early life of Turin in alliterative verse. "The Lay of Leithian" tells the story of Beren and Luthien and their quest for a Silmaril in octosyllabic couplets. "The Lay of Leithian" is considered by many Tolkien fans, including myself, to be one of the greatest pieces of literature composed by Tolkien, ranking alongside "The Lord of the Rings" itself. Although unfinished, it is the most complete and elaborate version he ever wrote of the story of Beren and Luthien, which was probably closer to his heart than any other legend of his Middle-earth. Reading this poem lets one see that, in a very real sense, Beren and Luthien are the heart of Tolkien's entire legendarium. "The Lay of the Children of Hurin" also holds an important place in Tolkien's total corpus of writings as the only source for fully detailed versions of important episodes in the story of Turin: his accidental slaying of his best friend, his healing by the Lake of Ivrin, and his coming to Nargothrond and first meeting with Finduilas. This poem should be read in tandem with the accounts of Turin in "The Silmarillion" and "Unfinished Tales" to gain a full picture of Tolkien's total imagination of Turin's tragic story. "The Lays of Beleriand" is one of the three or four most important volumes in "The History of Middle-earth," and is my own personal sentimental favorite of all of J. R. R. Tolkien's books.
Rating:
Summary: Only Tolkien has the linguistic skill to laud his works
Review: "The Lays of Beleriand" is one of my favorite books by Tolkien. It is the epitome of his poetic achievement. As the previous reviewer said, no praise formed by me would be worthy of this exquisite work. Truly, only Tolkien himself has the deep linguistic skill needed to properly laud this work. I had long loved Tolkien's prose before I read this book. But once I was exposed to his poetry, I quickly realized that he is as masterful in verse as he is in prose. Reading "Lays" was a euphoric revelation of another aspect of Tolkien's ingenius literary style. Rich, archiac language coupled with smooth-flowing meter and rhyme is employed to weave into verse the captivating tales of the star-crossed loves of Luthien Tinuviel with Beren Erchamion, and of Turin Turumbar with Neinor Niniel. The noble and deeply touching epics immerse you in their plots, engraving in memory an unforgetable image of this vastly intricate world. The verse, especially in "The Lay of Leithian", is spangled with particularly entrancing descriptions of the grandeur of Elven kingdoms long lost and the starlit enchantment of the Dancer of Doriath. These passages contain such delicate imagery presented in metaphor so elegantly phrased that they surely could entrall even Morgoth himself. Any devotee to Tolkien, and especially those who savor poetry, will be thoroughly enamoured with "The Lays of Beleriand".
Rating:
Summary: Like the renowned Bilbo Baggins before me. . .
Review: . . .I am quite fond of poetry. Many hobbits, I find, also share this love. This being the case, I must highly recommend "The Layw of Beleriand" as representing the finest examples epic poetry with a Middle-Earth theme. Although the unlettered (and unlearned) will struggle with this book (the various poems are presented in different stages of developement and completion) the notes are extremely helpful and the reader who perseveres will be suitably rewarded. This hobbit highly recommends this book.
Rating:
Summary: Like the renowned Bilbo Baggins before me. . .
Review: . . .I am quite fond of poetry. Many hobbits, I find, also share this love. This being the case, I must highly recommend "The Layw of Beleriand" as representing the finest examples epic poetry with a Middle-Earth theme. Although the unlettered (and unlearned) will struggle with this book (the various poems are presented in different stages of developement and completion) the notes are extremely helpful and the reader who perseveres will be suitably rewarded. This hobbit highly recommends this book.
Rating:
Summary: If you appreciate epic poetry. . .
Review: . . .you will appreciate this volume. "The Lays of Beleriand" represent Tolkien's efforts to tell the stories later published in prose form in "The Silmarillion" using the genre of epic poetry. Primary attention is given to the stories known to lovers of Tolkien as "Of Beren and Luthien" and "Of Turin Turambar". Whether these efforts will appeal to all is an open question. Nevertheless, I enjoyed them, and any true fan of Tolkien will want to at least give them a try.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting...
Review: Anything I say about this book is going to be woefully inadequate--largely because I do not have the expertise in poetic meter or rhythm to say whether what is contained herein is technically good, excellent, or flawless. It is certainly good poetry, of that I am sure. I am also pretty sure that it is far from flawless, especially given the fact that these poems were only rough drafts in Tolkien's mind. As a layman, my opinions will inevitably be based on my sense of intuitive aesthetics. Poems like these (epic, fantastical, mythological) should charm the reader, whisking him off his feet to another time and place .... In these respects, Tolkien is certainly at times successful. The book is comprised largely of two poems (both unfinished): "The Lay of the Children of Hurin" and "The Lay of Leithian." The first is written in alliterative verse, the second in octosyllabic couplets. The first poem is about 107 pages including commentary, and there is here included a second version of about 40 pages. The Lay of Leithian is approximately 200 pages, and how Tolkien ever managed to write so many eight-syllabled lines (in couplets!) about a fairytale is beyond me. In terms of the evolution of Tolkien's mythology, the lays predate the published Silmarillian but postdate the Lost Tales. Thus, throughout the book Chris Tolkien keeps us updated on the progression of the stories from the Tales through intermediate writings (mostly bits and pieces on random tablets) and into their form as we read them in the Lays. In my opinion, Chris Tolkien tends to go a little wild with the commentaries, and I do skip or skim most of them my first time through these books. "The Lay of the Children of Hurin" is the more incomplete of the two, bringing us only as far as Turin and Flinding's (later renamed Gwindor) return to Nargothrond and the beginnings of Finduilas' love for Turin. This poem, free from the heavier metric restrictions of the Lay of Leithian, is quite easy to read and occasionally evokes some gorgeous imagery: "Never-dawning night was netted clinging
in the black branches of the beetling trees;
oppressed by pungent pinewood's odours,
and drowsed with dreams as the darkness thickened" The description of Taur-na-Fuin is both haunting and beautiful. And don't even ask me about the death of Beleg! I'm not going to spoil it for you, but the images contained in this poem of that tragic event are burned into my mind even now, almost one year after reading them. The moment is so poignant, vanquishing as it does all emotional veils of the modern pseudo-masculine disposition while still upholding the honor of the characters. If you read these lines slowly and with enough contemplation (perhaps also with some slow, melodious, Celtic flute music to accompany) you can almost feel yourself standing beside the noble Flinding as he gazes somberly out over the desolate planes of Dor-na-Fauglith to the mighty peaks of Thangorodrim. Turin at his side--weeping madly--bends one last time over the body of Beleg, bidding farewell to his faithful comrade before his body is at last covered lightly with the brittle leaves of an approaching autumn. Okay, so maybe I gave a little away...sometimes I just can't help myself! Moments like these make this book worth your effort. But--and this is a big BUT--you will likely get the most out of this stuff only if you read it when you are in the right mood, slowly and methodically (I prefer to pronounce each word to myself as if I were at a poetry reading, with proper inflections, emotions and all) exploring each image and scene in your mind as you go. This book is like a good feast-meticulously tasting each bit in its turn will be more worthwhile than devouring the entire thing as quickly as possible. The Lay of Leithian differs in feel from the story of Turin. The rhyming scheme seems to make the poem as a whole less solemn and more fairytale-like. Here, Tolkien is at his best when we are confronted with the forces of evil. His descriptions of Huan's confrontation with Thu (Sauron) and of Morgoth's underground throne will certainly be a guilty pleasure for the dark at heart. The effect is not so much solemnity in the face of evil, but rather awestricken fascination at the power and majesty of the forces of darkness. Oddly enough, Morgoth comes off seeming like an oversized dope while his servant Thu is far more cunning. Oh well, can't get everything right. The poem begins slowly but builds and really takes off when Luthien and Huan head off to rescue Beren. Sadly though, it ends in the middle of the excitement. Nevertheless, Tolkienites the world over will relish in such enchanting poetic treasure.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Anything I say in this review could never do this book justice. Tolkien has done a wonderful job putting together these two long poems (The Lay of Leithian and The Lay of the Children of Hurin). Although neither of these poems was ever finished, it is their only flaw. The Lay of Lethian or perhaps better said as "The Gest of Beren One-hand and Luthien the Fay--Release From Bondage" is one of my favorite poems and anyone who loves rhyming couplets will really enjoy this poem. The Lay of the Children of Hurin is in an alliterative verse and occasionally makes for difficult reading, but it is still great all the same. I recommend this book to both Tolkien fans and poetry fans (especially Tennyson and Byron), I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I do.
Rating:
Summary: Contains the greatest epic poem of the 20th century
Review: Contrary to popular belief, this is not a book about Middle-earth. Middle-earth didn't exist when Tolkien wrote the poems contained in this book. But the legends they established were taken up into the later Middle-earth mythology even though we were only treated to glimpses of them in the years preceding the publication of this book. Lays of Beleriand unveils the true source of the Beren and Luthien story told in The Silmarillion. Although the characters predate "Lay of Leithian", Tolkien brought them forward in a radical evolutionary process which changed many things. The product of his changes was a fantastic poem which would make a wonderful book in its own right. Alas! He never finished the lay. Deemed too "Celtic" by an early reader at Allen & Unwin, the poem was set aside by Tolkien as he turned to lighter projects. And though he tried to return to it later in life, the flame had dwindled and he was unable to rekindle the ancient fire which inspired this masterpiece. The last lines of the poem seem to describe the work's own fate: "An gleam of swords in fire there flashed/the fangs of Carcharoth, and crashed/together like a trap, that tore/the hand about the wrist, and shore/through brittle bone and sinew nesh,/devouring the frail mortal flesh;/and in that cruel mouth unclean/egulfed the jewels holy sheen." A few snippets followed, disconnected from the primary narrative. All that could have been, that should have been, was lost forever, unless Tolkien is singing the final stanzas for his beloved Edith beneath the trees in a faraway paradise even now....
|
