very disappointing

Snippets of JRR's storytelling interrupted by Christopher's long winded descriptions of what his father was thinking, and what was happening with the family and what color hat he was wearing when he wrote each passage (okay, that last part was exaggeration but not by much). This is not a book for anyone interested in the story, since the constant commentary made it impossible to follow the flow of JRR's brilliance.

20 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not a story, but a study of the evolution of one.

This book alternates between notes by Christopher Tolkien & the various manuscripts his father wrote about the title characters. I loved it, but it is a strange experience to listen to it.

15 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Beautifully written with Academic Narrative

I was hoping for a synthesis, a beautifully integrated story of these two characters. We get the academic considerations of Tolkien’s variations. While I appreciate the scholarship, my heart just wants a good tale told straight through. Both narrators make it work.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Too much changed

Changing names and making Beren an elf not a man was really odd. Not great

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

great and bad same time!

how to explain the parts that were excellent great poetry, but unfortunately it felt a lot like a book report at other parts. If you love Jared talking to work, I recommend it, I just I don't know

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Love this!

I love hearing the progression of this story and the different iterations that were made throughout Tolkien’s life. It also shows all of the work that Christopher had to put into the Silmarillion to get a final story.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Good listen if a bit scattered in presentation.

While narration was very listenable, the story was a little unreachable as it has been too many years since I was a more enthusiastic fan of The Sillmarilion.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

best poetry I've ever heard. enjoyable

best poetry l ever heard .best-known work of artists poetry I've ever heard authors poetry

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

This is a scholarly work

It is appropriate to read this book this soon after the recent death of its editor Christopher Tolkien. Be warned that as good as it is, that it is as much a scholarly work as it is a presentation of versions of the tale. Bless C.T. and the work he has done to make his father’s writing available to the world.

More like a thesis reading rather than a story

Don't get me wrong , the information presented here are great and you gain great insight about the myth of Beren and Luthien and how it came to pass BUT it is not -at least for my taste- a good audiobook in a sense that there is a lot of "commenting" by Cristopher rather than actual storytelling. I picked this up (and was very excited) after listening to The Children of Hurin audiobook and was a bit dissapointed as I expected a bit more. But it is great!