Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring, and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the twentieth century’s most acclaimed popular author.

The book concentrates on the realm of Middle-earth and comprises such elements as Gandalf’s lively account of how it was that he came to send the Dwarves to the celebrated party at Bag-End, the emergence of the sea-god Ulmo before the eyes of Tuor on the coast of Beleriand, and an exact description of the military organization of the Riders of Rohan.

Unfinished Tales also contains the only story about the long ages of Numenor before its downfall, and all that is known about such matters as the Five Wizards, the Palantiri and the legend of Amroth. The tales were collated and edited by JRR Tolkien’s son and literary heir, Christopher Tolkien, who provides a short commentary on each story, helping the reader to fill in the gaps and put each story into the context of the rest of his father’s writings.

29 editions

480 pages

English language

Published Sept. 23, 1982 by Houghton Mifflin.

ISBN:: 978-0-395-32441-7
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Reviews

Norbert reviewed Nachrichten aus Mittelerde by J. R. R. Tolkien

Nachrichten aus Mittelerde

5 stars

Man muss dafür schon ein sehr großer Fan sein, aber das bin ich ja :)

norbertsfantastischeecke.wordpress.com/nachrichten-aus-mittelerde/

Nick Jordan reviewed Unfinished Tales by J. R. R. Tolkien

A Worthy Read

5 stars

For anyone who's read The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion and wants more, this is an excellent next read. More detail on tales already told and some fascinating new bits.

Victor Hugo Kebbe reviewed Unfinished tales of Númenor and Middle-earth by J. R. R. Tolkien

A must read

5 stars

This is one of the best books in the Legendarium. Christopher Tolkien's work is so exquisite that this book can be considered the precursor of the History of Middle-Earth. Definitely a must read to anyone who wants to delve into Tolkien’s legacy.

Doc Kinne reviewed Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth by J. R. R. Tolkien

Review of 'Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

There are some that have said that "Unfinished Tales" while good, holds the position of a band publishing songs that it originally left on the cutting room floor. I disagree with that assessment.

First, let us be clear for new people: "Unfinished Tales" is not a new read. It is not a book you read first. Ever. A good reading of (in order of importance) "The Lord of the Rings," "The Silmarillion," and (optionally) "The Hobbit," is required. Without this background you simply will not be able to make any sense of what you're reading in "Unfinished Tales" despite Christopher's very good notes.

Here you will find details that fans of the Legendarium have long wondered and wanted to know about. What is Gandalf? What was the order he was part of, and who were its members? What's the real story(s) behind Galadreal? How did Gondor and Rohan become such good friends? "Aldarion and Erendis" give us an actual story set in the time and place of Numenor. All of that is here.

Rather than "Unfinished Tales" being works that never made the cut, or ended up on the cutting room floor, rather it is a collection of work, literally, that was still in development by their author who was, unfortunately, gifted a lifetime of Men rather than Elves.

Yes, there is a hierarchy of canonicity here. If the "Lord of the Rings" says something and "Unfinished Tales" says something different, "Lord of the Rings" wins. But for the rest, we can revel in the additional thoughts, ideas, and details.