The Lays of Beleriand - Paperback

by J. R. R. Tolkien (Author)

Tales told through the ages of quests and curses, enduring love and immeasurable tragedy

"The power of Tolkien's central characters--tragic, cursed T rin; the lovers Beren and L thien--shines through."--Library Journal

Gathering together two of the most crucial stories in Tolkien's world--those of Túrin, a hero living under a ruinous family curse, and Lúthien, an elven princess whose love for a mortal man is mirrored ages later in Arwen and Aragorn--The Lays of Beleriand sheds light on the creation of the mythology of Middle-earth.

Journey through darkness with Túrin Turambar as he searches for his long-missing father in The Lay of the Children of Húrin, and join Beren and Lúthien on their quest to cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown in The Lay of Leithian. Both narratives appear here in alliterative verse and are accompanied by Christopher Tolkien's commentary on the evolution of the history of the Elder Days. Also included is critical analysis by C. S. Lewis of The Lay of Leithian.

Front Jacket

The power of Tolkien's central characters . . . shines through. Library Journal.
A treasure trove of lore for old and new friends of Middle-earth. Enter now, reader, and learn of the hero of the Lay of Leithian. Hear as well of the early years of Turin the Tall, as he journeys through darkness on his quest to find his father. Read of his rescue by Beleg the Brave, and of the dark destiny that haunts their friendship! Only the genius of Tolkien could create a fantasy more real than reality, a reality more fantastic than fantasy!

Author Biography

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. After serving in World War I, he embarked upon a distinguished academic career and was recognized as one of the finest philologists in the world. He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. He is, however, beloved throughout the world as the creator of Middle-earth and author of such classic works as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He died on September 2, 1973, at the age of eighty-one.