Tolkien in the News

[Riv Res]

J.R.R. Tolkien Reveals TRUE Meaning Of 'The Lord Of The Rings' In Unearthed Audio Recording


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/noble-smi ... 73529.html


Perfect!

[Merry]

Oh, lordy, what a teaser! Undoubtedly we'll have to buy something to find out the answer. There are a lot of Sarumans in the world, as the Professor said, but there are also a lot of Bill Fernys!

Lovely photo of him, though, and I love the line about how he could turn a lecture hall into a mead hall!

P.S. I've always found it frustrating, and now somewhat endearing, that every time the Professor was asked what LOTR was really about, he had a different answer. I think the truth is that it is really about a lot of things.

[Philipa]

Thanks Riv for posting that here. It is exciting news! I can't wait for this to be available. The article was delightful in the telling too. What a night that must have been.

P.S. I've always found it frustrating, and now somewhat endearing, that every time the Professor was asked what LOTR was really about, he had a different answer. I think the truth is that it is really about a lot of things.

I would assume it would be about many things. And I'd be surprised if he tells us something we hadn't already surmised.

[Merry]

I agree, Philipa. By my count, in the letters, Tolkien has six different answers for what LOTR is really about: reconstructing the uber-myth for England (letter 31), creating a vehicle for his invented languages (letter 165), just a rollicking good adventure story (letter 160), a vehicle for the 'northernness' aesthetic that he loved (letter 160), a "fundamentally Catholic" work (letter 142), and an examination of death and immortality (letter 186).

I think he put his whole life into the stories, with everything he loved and hated, from mushrooms to tyranny. So, again, if this tape reveals some one simple theme that is new, that would be surprising.

[Riv Res]

So, again, if this tape reveals some one simple theme that is new, that would be surprising.

Wouldn't that also be WONDERFUL though?

[Merry]

Ha! True! I see what you mean. But wouldn't it cause us to doubt our abilities to understand anything we ever read?

[Riv Res]

Nothin' new about that!

[Merry]

[Merry]

TOR.n calls our attention to John Garth's review of the recently published Tolkien translation of Beowulf:

http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/201 ... nd-reality

I haven't read Beowulf since high school, when I loved it! It reminded me of Tolkien, although now I understand that Tolkien should have reminded me of Beowulf. Maybe it's time for me to look at it again.

[Lindariel]

I've ordered my copy. Can't wait to read it!!

[Merry]

Have you read Beowulf before, Lindariel? Let us know what you think!

After reading Garth's article, I think it's interesting that translations can differ so much. But it's the Professor's commentary that might be the more interesting part.

[Lindariel]

I studied Beowulf in English class WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY back in 8th grade, I believe. I remember bits and pieces about the story and characters, but I don't recall being especially fond of it. After reading and enjoying Professor Tolkien's gritty, rhythmic, and spare poetic translation of The Lgend of Sigurd and Gudrun, I'm really anxious to see how he will bring the tale of Beowulf alive.

[Riv Res]

This one gave me a laugh and then I thought ... why not?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/0 ... 49674.html

[Merry]

Yes, but did it have wings? I think the Professor might be pleased.