Thoroughly enjoyed this, it was just so great to learn more about both old and new characters!! Tolkien's middle earth is so rich and beautiful and it was amazing to be able to delve even deeper into it!

Tough read but a pleasure. Learn the details behind the trilogy, concerning Gandalf and Sarumans kind, Galadriel and Celeborn's history, stories of Elendil, and older legends in this realm. The greatest about this, to me: seeing behind the scenes at Tolkien' s creative process. It inspires me to sit down, for pleasure, and create/ build my own world 20 minutes at a time, and use this as a canvas to paint short stories and go from there.

Love Tolkien. Plans change, especially mine, but I plan to read my top three authors in depth this year including their bibliographies and auto/ biographies. Tolkien, Kafka and Poe. Also plan to seek one new favorite this year, specifically Charles Dickens and David Copperfield. Will see how that goes.

A year of Tolkien! This year I decided to reread all the main Middle-Earth books: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and now finishing the year with Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth. It had been several years since my last reading of all of these, and it’s been such fun to go back to stories that are so familiar to me that it’s almost more like re-remembering parts of my own memories than rereading a series of books.

I’ve had a soft spot for Unfinished Tales since my wonderful wife bought me a paperback copy in college. It’s not as complete (obviously) as LOTR, nor as smoothed-out as The Silmarillion, but it doesn’t have as many commentary intrusions from Christopher Tolkien as the History of Middle-Earth series. It’s just a set of fascinating glimpses into various regions of Middle-Earth history, some that are nearly finished (stories about Tuor and Túrin) and others that are contradictory fragments from here and there (Galadriel and Celeborn). Because the chapters move relatively quickly (after the first two lengthy stories) from one scene to the next, I find it to be an enjoyable read.

8.5/10
Introduction

My review will my tricky for this as how to review something of this nature? It's very confusing but the best approach for me would be my reaction and thoughts as I was reading each chapter. I read this in 100+ days. I wrote stuff as I read so I will be just showing those thoughts and clarify some aspects. But first I just state if you read Silmarillion and 3 great tales ( you don’t even need to read that) this is highly recommended. It will add middle earth experience featuring some fantastic worldbuilding, prose, lore and well characters. The only suggestion I will state if you have read Fall of Gondolin and Children of Hurin skip the first age section. The main one that you should skip is the Hurin story as the novel Children of Hurin is a completed uninterpreted narrative with a beginning, middle and ending. Where the fall of Gondolin they no real changes from the novel release. The Fall of Gondolin novel has a section called “last version” which is word for word the same as this one( with much fewer footnotes). Just in the novel, it's more satisfying seeing Tolkien grow a writer but that you can do either. They no real overarching narrative literally nothing, it's just separate isolated stories set in middle earth. This can range from completish text to half-finished narratives to essays etc. It's a lot of content and I commend Christopher efforts to preserving his father work and enriching his world.
1st Age

OF TUOR AND HIS COMING TO GONDOLIN


Regarding this story, I already reviewed this in my  Fall of Gondolin review  . Which is labelled as the “last version”. This prologue to this unfinished story however is like a 9-9.5/10 one of the best introductions to a tale.

NARN I HÎN HÚRIN

I have reviewed an in-depth version of this story already told in  Children of Hurin review  . Which primarily uses that tale told here and using Silmarillion to bridge some gaps in the narrative. Which is the second novel Tolkien has ever written 9.5/10.

2nd Age

A DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF NÚMENOR

This is probably the driest read in the Unfinished Tales. The weakest but it's so short it's hard to even rate it. It is mainly worldbuilding and setting the stage for the best second age story. One interesting takeaway for me was the role of Sauron how he eventually disrupted everything up. They were countless holidays for Eru and named after him but in just 2 centuries he able to slowly change all that and make them worshippers of Morgoth. Legit actions like human sacrifices and burning people alive, Morgoth becoming a religion. This is very much not a spoiler btw it’s just lore, the actual stories I won’t spoil. Just fascinating to see certain ramifications and how the world slowly changes.

ALDARION AND ERENDIS: The Mariner’s Wife

If you’re on the fence about Unfinished Tales this story alone should justify your purchase because it's so beautiful, tragic and unfortunate. It's sadly the only proper narrative set in the second age, it makes that era feel so alive and rich. The character work is so unbelievable, in just this short story. Aladarion and Erendis, they morally quite complex in terms of their decision making. Neither person are that good of a person, they honestly so selfish to each of them. I always hear the criticism behind Tolkien his characters are one-note but he one of the few authors who can write a character with such depth so quick without really delving into them that deeply. The tragic aspects would be how they influence well the people around them without going into detail.  The upbringing of their daughter is so tragic because these parents have corrupted her in some sense. Like Ancalimë is forced to have a husband and have children. Her treatment of her children not good, because Aladarion and Erendis have damaged her. Regarding the two people neither I interrupted was really at fault. Like both Aladarion and Erendis have terrible communication, these false promises and so much instigated, this sad demise. It’s the first marriage in middle earth where it's so toxic and they basically divorce but the laws are such you cannot do that.  Though this is an incomplete story, Christopher editorial comments near the end pieces some of the messy writings from Tolkien and giving us a good indication of the ending. One of the biggest standout moments was probably that  letter of Gil-galad seeing a figure of legend from Silmarillion and LOTR to have proper dialogue was great to read.  Unfinished Tales they some stories I probably never going to reread just because I don’t find it fascinating enough but this tale in particular for sure. One of the best short stories, I’ve ever read. The only flaw to me was maybe the beginning was a bit harder to get into and it's being incomplete. This is definitely 9.5/10 and Tolkien handling a subject I would expect the professor to discuss. It also features two fantastic female characters, giving them such range and complex genuinely feeling like people in this world.


THE LINE OF ELROS: KINGS OF NÚMENOR

This is like a description, it being a drier read. But I liked the information it gave but it's not a story but geology and a brief history. If you read Appendix B from LOTR, it is pretty much that writing style not as hard as the description though. Some nice history of the kings though not the most FUN. Hard to personally rate this haha

THE HISTORY OF GALADRIEL AND CELEBORN

The history of Galadriel is fascinating, this one is sadly very incomplete. It's pretty messy to read because you got like 3 different origins of Galadriel and it’s a topic that Tolkien never had a concrete answer for it. But one aspect I really enjoy is giving her more depth as a character. She is a lot more flawed and rebellious in some of the versions. It's interesting to compare this to her LOTR persona right. The appendix for this tale was pretty good it was about Amroth and Ninrodel was a great addition and her conversation with Celebrimbor was great.

3rd Age

THE DISASTER OF THE GLADDEN FIELDS

It was interesting to see Isildur a larger-than-life figure in LOTR given more weight. Like hearing dialogue exchange from him. Furthermore, Tolkien depiction of scale is second to none. He just knows how to write up overwhelming loss and make it so poignant. The prose was fantastic more LOTR writing style my fav section would be the final paragraph sequence featured. The only thing confused about is why this text is a part of the unfinished tales as it seems pretty complete to me. Though looking into it seem that Tolkien was unsure if he should have ravelled the mystery of this character. So yeah, awesome thing this basically completed writing just never published in Tolkien lifetime because he was unsure if he should have placed it into the appendix.

CIRION AND EORL AND THE FRIENDSHIP OF GONDOR AND ROHAN

This is also a great tale, though part 1 was probably most overwhelming. I think just me with maps and sometimes feeling clueless and jumping to places. Still well written, but not so much of a highlight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSQZS... Great vid on giving some background which I was kind of lost in should have probably watched the first 5min before reading the chapter.

Part 2: thought it was good, seeing Cirion having to make certain decisions. This nothing amazing like ALDARION AND ERENDIS but I thought it was a good addition.

Part 3-4: I thought these parts were amazing and nice conclusions. It enriched my appreciation for this world. I enjoyed listening to the Oath and that whole sequence, a ton of juicy dialogue.

THE QUEST OF EREBOR

Quest of Erebor is awesome also interesting how similar yet different the two accounts were. Anyways brilliant section and having that in context for a hobbit reread will be beautiful. Simply more dialogue from Tolkien I eat that for breakfast.

THE HUNT FOR THE RING

Like the Erebor tale, this was just amazing to read. A ton of 3rd age section is gold in terms of delivering fantastic content this included. Weirdly I think it’s the only description of Sauron body. As no he, not a big eye in the sky that’s a movie thing. A lot of fun information something about pipeweed made me laugh.

THE BATTLES OF THE FORDS OF ISEN

This did not click with me that much if I am being honest. I still think it’s really well written but ... compared to the other amazing tales told in unfinished tales even the Galadriel one I found to be more compelling. Out of the 3rd age stories to me, it's easily the weakest though again some interesting information presented. Like Théodred last words which were nice to see, Théoden dialogue is strong as usual and compelling. Though yeah, I think it was the new characters introduced I didn't click with. But yeah, interesting lore it’s still a decent chapter just more of a miss still worth reading.

Part 4

THE DRÚEDAIN

thought Druedain would be a dry read considering its an essay but man I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked it, shouldn't have doubted Tolkien genius haha

THE ISTARI

This contains some very nice insights, Tolkien always has this ability to answer certain questions but with that answer springboards multiple other questions. I really do enjoy the vagueness and "magic" I guess of the world. It feels realistic you will not know the ins and outs of the situation even if it was not completely Tolkien intent regarding them. I do like seeing a bit of the Valar talk as it’s so rare to read, also the essay on Gandolf was interesting to read. Definitely, a bit harder, to get through but Christopher does his best to make it cohesive. They also a cool poem featured it’s a tiny one but cool seeing Dagor Dagorath being mentioned.

THE PALANTÍRI

The Palantíri, the weakest of part 4 chapters to me but pretty fascinating though pretty dense. The most interesting part for me was less so the stone which was nice insight though sometimes bit much with the footnotes haha. But Denethor mindset during LOTR and how it affected him. That aspect I didn't expect to be delved into it which was nice.

Conclusion

They some amazing stories and some dull chapters but overall, definitely worth the read in particular for ALDARION AND ERENDIS.

8.5/10

As with all his Middle Earth works, I'm fascinated by the sheer vastness of these stories. I like how this one fills in some blanks between the Ring Trilogy and the Silmarillion...

Excellent as are all J R R’s books

I have so enjoyed finishing these Unfinished Tales with my chapter a day group. Tolkien was a great, and immensely nuanced storyteller, his son Christopher a devoted son and detailed story archiver, whose life work allowed us to see the depth of creativity and true craft his father put into all his tales. I’ve truly enjoyed the surface tale, as well as the the deeper tale behind its creation and evolution.

Great collection of additional information regarding Middle Earth. I especially enjoyed those from the third age, however I found the second age ones to be less intriguing as the others plot wise. However, in terms of world building, Tolkien is as faultless as ever.

I find it amazing the amount of work that Tolkien produced in his legendarium. I am really enjoying a deep dive into his writing. Thanks to the Tolkien family and loyal followers we can enjoy all the pieces of manuscripts they pieced together to make them available to those who love the writings of middle earth.

If you’re a Tolkien fan, don’t let my two stars deter you. This simply isn’t up my alley. While I’ve read the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, I found even those somewhat tedious, but I was nevertheless excited to read this. I’m not sure why I expected anything different but it isn’t, haha. Tolkien was an incredibly gifted and talented legend of literature, but he just isn’t for me. Charles Dickens, take me back? I’m sorry for cheating.

Rozwodzić się nad literacką mocą i urodą pisarstwa Tolkiena można, ale po co, skoro to rzecz powszechnie znana. Co warto zaakcentować w przypadku niniejszego tomu, to nadzwyczajna zdolność dawania nowego tła starym opowieściom (nawet "Hobbitowi"!), dzięki czemu zyskują na głębi i stają się częścią jednej, wszechogarniającej narracji o Ardzie.

I still very much enjoyed my reread of the Unfinished Tales because it gives so much information to the world of Middle-Earth and unearths a lot of connections. I like that it mentions the references in The Lord of the Rings so that you can get a better understanding of the overall story.