Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary by J.R.R. Tolkien (English) Hardcover Book

Description: Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien The translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien was an early work, very distinctive in its mode, completed in 1926: he returned to it later to make hasty corrections, but seems never to have considered its publication. This edition is twofold, for there exists an illuminating commentary on the text of the poem by the translator himself, in the written form of a series of lectures given at Oxford in the 1930s; and from these lectures a substantial selection has been made, to form also a commentary on the translation in this book. From his creative attention to detail in these lectures there arises a sense of the immediacy and clarity of his vision. It is as if he entered into the imagined past: standing beside Beowulf and his men shaking out their mail-shirts as they beached their ship on the coast of Denmark, listening to the rising anger of Beowulf at the taunting of Unferth, or looking up in amazement at Grendels terrible hand set under the roof of Heorot. But the commentary in this book includes also much from those lectures in which, while always anchored in the text, he expressed his wider perceptions. He looks closely at the dragon that would slay Beowulf "snuffling in baffled rage and injured greed when he discovers the theft of the cup"; but he rebuts the notion that this is "a mere treasure story", "just another dragon tale". He turns to the lines that tell of the burying of the golden things long ago, and observes that it is "the feeling for the treasure itself, this sad history" that raises it to another level. "The whole thing is sombre, tragic, sinister, curiously real. The treasure is not just some lucky wealth that will enable the finder to have a good time, or marry the princess. It is laden with history, leading back into the dark heathen ages beyond the memory of song, but not beyond the reach of imagination." Sellic spell, a "marvellous tale", is a story written by Tolkien suggesting what might have been the form and style of an Old English folk-tale of Beowulf, in which there was no association with the "historical legends" of the Northern kingdoms. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Flap The translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien was an early work, very distinctive in its mode, completed in 1926: he returned to it later to make hasty corrections, but seems never to have considered its publication. This edition is twofold, for there exists an illuminatingcommentary on the text of the poem by the translator himself, in the written form of a series of lectures given at Oxford in the 1930s; and from these lectures a substantial selection has been made, to form also a commentary on the translation in this book.From his creative attention to detail in these lectures there arises a sense of the immediacy and clarity of his vision. It is as if he entered into the imagined past: standing beside Beowulf and his men shaking out their mail shirts as they beached their ship on the coast of Denmark,listening to the rising anger of Beowulf at the taunting of Unferth, or looking up in amazement at Grendels terrible hand set under the roof of Heorot.But the commentary in this book includes also much from those lectures in which, while always anchored in the text, he expressed his wider perceptions. He looks closely at the dragon that would slay Beowulf snuffling in baffled rage and injured greed when he discovers the theft of the cup; but he rebuts the notion that this is a mere treasure story, just another dragon tale. He turns to the lines that tell of the burying of the golden things long ago, and observes that it is the feeling for the treasure itself, this sad history that raises it to another level. The whole thing is sombre, tragic, sinister, curiously real. The "treasure" is not just some lucky wealth that will enable the finder to have a good time, or marry the princess. It is laden with history, leading back into the dark heathen ages beyond the memory of song, but not beyond the reach of imagination. Sellic Spell , a marvellous tale, is a story written by Tolkien suggesting what might have been the form and style of an Old English folk tale of Beowulf, in which there was no association with the historical legends of the Northern kingdoms. Author Biography J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over sixty languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.Christopher Tolkien (1924-2020) was the third son of J.R.R. Tolkien. Appointed by Tolkien to be his literary executor, he devoted himself to the editing and publication of unpublished writings, notably The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth. Review "A thrill . . . "Beowulf" was Tolkiens lodestar. Everything he did led up to or away from it . . . Perhaps, in the dark of night, he already knew what would happen: that he would never publish his beautiful "Beowulf," and that his intimacy with the poem, more beautiful, would remain between him and the poet--a secret love." -- New Yorker "Both scholars and lay readers have long awaited Tolkiens "Beowulf" translation and its related materials, and everyone will find something of enduring interest in this collection. For Tolkien, "Beowulf" was both a brilliant and haunting work in its own right and an inspiration for his own fiction. It is a poem that will move us as readers, not forever but as long as we last. Or as Tolkien says, "It must ever call with a profound appeal--until the dragon comes." -- Wall Street Journal "Tolkien-as-guide is delightful, an irresistibly chatty schoolmaster in the Chaucerian mold . . . His learning and Beowulfs patterns of gloom and fragile light feel intimately related . . . his noble translation joins the ranks of the narrowly saved." - Slate "This rendition--edited by his son Christopher and published for the first time--will delight fans . . . lovers of Tolkiens work will agree that this is a book long overdue." - Publishers Weekly"A marvel of vigor and economy . . . Essential for students of the Old English poem--and the ideal gift for devotees of the One Ring." -- Kirkus -- Review Quote "Tolkien-as-guide is delightful, an irresistibly chatty schoolmaster in the Chaucerian mold . . . His learning and Beowulf s patterns of gloom and fragile light feel intimately related . . . his noble translation joins the ranks of the narrowly saved." Slate "This rendition-edited by his son Christopher and published for the first time-will delight fans . . . lovers of Tolkiens work will agree that this is a book long overdue." Publishers Weekly "A marvel of vigor and economy . . . Essential for students of the Old English poem-and the ideal gift for devotees of the One Ring." - Kirkus Details ISBN0544442784 Year 2014 ISBN-10 0544442784 ISBN-13 9780544442788 Media Book Publication Date 2014-05-22 Short Title BEOWULF Language English Format Hardcover DEWEY 829.3 Subtitle A Translation and Commentary Edited by Tolkien, Christopher Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2014-05-22 NZ Release Date 2014-05-22 US Release Date 2014-05-22 UK Release Date 2014-05-22 Imprint William Morrow & Company Author Christopher Tolkien Pages 448 Publisher William Morrow & Company Audience General Imprint US William Morrow Publisher US HarperCollins We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:138834137;

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