As most of you know, I am a fantasy author because first, I was a fantasy reader. And JRR Tolkien's books were the books that drew me into the genre. Other than the Bible, I have never been impacted by a book more than The Lord of the Rings (The Hobbit as well). Now, these wonderful stories are my old friends, and I visit them often. So often that I am beginning to grow tufts of fuzzy hair on the tops of my feet.
Well, amazingly enough, Professor Tolkien wrote another novel that was never quite finished and certainly not published until now. It's called The Children of Hurin. Prof. Tolkien's son Christopher (now in his 70's) spent 30 years filling in the gaps of the narrative from his father's notes. Christopher Tolkien claims that the language in the books is all his father's. I sure hope so.
My copy of Children of Hurin just arrived today. And I wanted to throw out a proposition to any who visit this blog. How would you like to read Children of Hurin together? I'm thinking shared experience is always more fun than alone. As we read through the book we could discuss the story, what we like, where we think it's going, Tolkien's craft, etc.
I'd like to create a dedicated page/or post on this blog so that those of you who join me can post in and chat about Tolkien's new book.
Anyone up for it?
I'll wait a week to hear (today being 4/20), and I promise not to read until I know who's in. Well…I might actually read a little, but just a little.
31 comments:
i would be interested. let me know when all the details are put together, or i'll just keep watching this website for updates.
Yes, yes, yes!
I love this idea. I'm sure the rest of the Fellowship of the Pen (who knew that name would stick?) will all be aching to join in as well.
I'll pick up my copy closer to the start date, so I'm not too tempted to read ahead. :P
Sounds awesome! Just have to find a book before it starts. Hope I can! :)
Okay, Tbon, Amy, and Sarm are in. Let me know when you get the book, and we'll get started.
What I'll do is post a new thread for this "Fellowship of Readers" and label it with "Hurin" so that we can all find it on the sidebar.
We'll pick a certain amount to read at a time and we can post thoughts about it as we go.
This'll be fun.
I think I'm going to have to pass on this, as cool as it sounds, I'm still reading Rise of the Dibor and then there's the sequel this summer not to mention the other books I'll be reading hopefully before the summer and fall signings. :(
This sounds great! Count me in. I'll try to pick up a copy too. : D
Welcome to the Fellowship, Nick!
Again, everyone post here when you get a copy of Children of Hurin, so we can begin.
I'm reading the introduction by Christopher Tolkien, but NONE of the narrative until we're all in.
I would love 2 do that! I'm gonna go buy it asap!
Ashton's in. Welcome.
This should be great fun, a way to prolong the experience of the first read. ;-)
I can't join, but I'm really interested to see what ya'll have to say about it...I'll be checking back.
I got my copy this afternoon. It's fair to read the introduction, right? Cuz in the book store, I couldn't help myself.
Oh and Wayne, the Borders in Vancouver, WA have apparently not heard of my huge table and sign idea, so I really need to bring the issue to their attention. They didn't have TDW in the fantasy/sci-fi section. I'm disappointed in them. Of course I didn't check YA - so maybe they'll redeem themselves. We'll see...
Count me in!! I'm looking forward to experiencing this book with everyone!
Kel
Amy, thanks for looking for my books at that Borders, and please, feel free to pester them to get the titles in there. ;-) Mention that The Door Within books are CBA bestsellers and sure to please fans of fantasy. The more bookstores that hear that someone is looking for the books, the better. I'm convinced that the reason some Christian Fantasy titles still aren't reaching so many people is simply because so many people still haven't heard of my books or Bryan Davis' or Sharon Hinck's or Donita K. Paul's or Christopher Hoppers...
And, Welcome, Kel. This is going to be a blast. Like Amy, I had to read the introduction. I must admit it has AMPED my enthusiasm.
AND, check this out, Science Fiction and Fantasy World has asked me to write and Official SFFW Review of Children of Hurin.
How cool is that? This site ROCKs--they have thousands of fantasy fans visit there every day.
Once again, please everyone post here as soon as you get Children of Hurin.
Thanks,
WtB
Wayne, please swing by my blog-you were nominated!
When are you doing this? Let me know--I'll see if I can get a copy through the library.
Hey, Chris
We'll be starting as soon as a bunch of us has the book. There are 7 of us interested. So far only 3 have posted that they have the book. See if you can get it. We'd love to have you aboard.
I, like pixy, can't join. Saving up for a car has rendered this teen without any free money to spend on awesome reads :( Tell me allll about it tho!!!
I wasn't going to do this, but come to think-- I'm going to the bookstore tomorrow. Why the heck not. Sign me on.
I'll be set by tomorrow, but waiting is cool. I'm currently reading "Gregor and the Code of Claw" as well as the first book of the Dresden Files.
And Wayne, I'm actually using my blog now! Check it out lol
I got the book, so I'm ready.
I'm a bit disappointed with the size (not the thickness, the acutal size). The other Lee/Tolkien books (Hobbit and LOtR sets) are a considerably amount taller, though the price is the same. I was looking forward to putting Children of Hurin next to those books, but it looks a bit silly with four beautiful tall books and one kind of pretty small one. Eh. Nitpicking.
I got it! But, I'm so sorry....... I couldn't help myself. I read the first four chapters already!............................ Just kidding! :) By the way, does anyone know if this book has any connection to the Lord of the Rings? Can't wait to start.
Pat, the size got to me too. But for me it was the thickness not the height. I want an epic, mannnn!
And Nick, this is the backstory long before the Lord of the Rings. We will meat Sauron the Great when he was merely a footstool servant of Morgoth the real evil of Middle Earth.
We'll learn a lot about the elves as well. Should be cooool.
Let's give folks the weekend to go shopping and start reading Monday Night.
Will that work?
And about format, what, read 4 chapters a week and post on each chapter? Longer, shorter?
I'm down with that. That's kinda like one chapter every two nights, which would be ideal. For me at least.
That's cool with me! As I said before, can't wait! Morgoth and the elves. . . . sweet! Check out my blog! www.nickfsblog.blogspot.com
I had another idea...this because if any of you are like me, you hate to have someone spoil something for you by giving away some detail from a part of the book you've not read yet.
SO, I will post a new thread for every chapter. People who have read chapter one, but not chapter two, would reply to chapter one posts, but never think of looking at ch. 2 until their finished.
It will use up a lot of Blog space, but if some chapters get buried, you can always find them in the sidebar.
Let's Rock.
PS: I have a friend, ChrisH who will be joining us. He just got the book and is ready to roll.
I haven't been able to find a copy yet, but I'm crossing my fingers.
Wow - I can't get over how excited I am. I'm nerding out over it.
The book is just sitting on my bedside table and I keep looking at it and itching to pick it up. I haven't though. Monday is a perfect start day.
Four chapters a week sounds reasonable to me. And thanks Wayne, for posting each chapter in a seperate post.
Is Chris H. Christopher Hopper or just a coincidence?
If anyone hasn't read the introduction, do it because a few of us decided it doesn't count. Well - mostly Wayne said it was okay and I'm glad. But it'll answer a ton of questions of what we'll be reading and the time line and such.
4 days and counting...
I got my copy and I'm in. When do we start?
Bought my copy this afternoon! I can't wait for Monday, although, I just started "The Final Storm" this morning so I'll have the weekend to finish it!!
Kel
Hey, all. Thanks for posting in that you have your copy of Children of Hurin.
Let's begin Monday. I'll Begin a thread for each chapter, and we can discuss chapter by chapter.
Please keep comments on the given chapter so as not to give away something to someone who hasn't read as far.
Does that mean we can read as fast as we want or is there a chapter per time period thing? Just wondering.
I have the book and would like to join. I don't know if I can make the four chapters a week thing though. I'm really busy right now.
Becca Johnson
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