|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
|
Product Description
Book Description
A major new examination of how J.R.R.Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece 'The Hobbit', including his complete unpublished draft version of the story, and many little-known illustrations and previously unpublished maps by Tolkien himself. The History of the Hobbit presents for the first time, in two volumes, the complete unpublished text of the original manuscript of J.R.R.Tolkien's The Hobbit, accompanied by John Rateliff's lively and informative account of how the book came to be written and published. As well as recording the numerous changes made to the story both before and after publication, it examines -- chapter-by-chapter -- why those changes were made and how they reflect Tolkien's ever-growing concept of Middle-earth. The Hobbit was first published on 21 September 1937. Like its successor, The Lord of the Rings, it is a story that "grew in the telling", and many characters and story threads in the published text are completely different from what Tolkien first wrote to read aloud to his young sons as part of their "fireside reads". As well as reproducing the original version of one of literature's most famous stories, both on its own merits and as the foundation for The Lord of the Rings, this new book includes many little-known illustrations and previously unpublished maps for The Hobbit by Tolkien himself. Also featured are extensive annotations and commentaries on the date of composition, how Tolkien's professional and early mythological writings influenced the story, the imaginary geography he created, and how Tolkien came to revise the book years after publication to accommodate events in The Lord of the Rings. Like Christopher Tolkien's The History of The Lord of the Rings before it, this is a thoughtful yet exhaustive examination of one of the most treasured stories in English literature. Long overdue for a classic book now celebrating 70 years in print, this companion edition offers fascinating new insights for those who have grown up with this enchanting tale, and will delight those who are about to enter Bilbo's round door for the first time.
About the Author
John D. Rateliff moved to Wisconsin in 1981 in order to work with the Tolkien manuscripts at Marquette University. He has been active in Tolkien scholarship for many years, delivering papers on Tolkien and the Inklings. While at Marquette, he assisted in the collation of their holdings with those Christopher Tolkien was editing for his History of Middle-earth series. A professional editor, he lives in the Seattle area with his wife and three cats, only one of whom is named after a Tolkien character.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.ca
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Making Of A Masterpiece, Sep 21 2007
By John D. Cofield - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Mr. Baggins (Hardcover)
J.R.R. Tolkien must be among the most heavily analyzed of twentieth century writers. His drafts and redrafts of his Middle earth legendarium, in some cases dating back to his years in service during World War I, have been published as The History of Middle-earth by his son and literary executor Christopher Tolkien. Through their multiple volumes students can trace the evolution of Tolkien's world. Until now, however, we have been unable to trace the story of the work which made Tolkien and Middle-earth well known to the general public. John D. Rateliff, after many years of patient scholarship, has now filled that gap with The History of the Hobbit.Mr. Baggins is the first of two volumes in The History of the Hobbit, and readers should buy it with its companion Return to Bag End at the same time. The second volume starts with page 469, and there is no Index in Volume I, for example. Mr. Rateliff has identified five phases in the writing of The Hobbit. Mr. Baggins covers the first and most of the second phases. Practically every word Tolkien wrote is printed, with extensive and fascinating notes and short essays by Mr. Rateliff interpolated with Tolkien's text. Colored plates showing some of Tolkien's sketches and maps are included, too.
The early versions of The Hobbit are startling, to say the least. Bilbo Baggins walks out of his hobbit hole one morning to meet the wizard Bladorthin, who brings thirteen dwarves led by their chieftain Gandalf to visit him. Bilbo is strongarmed into becoming the dwarves' burglar, charged with recovering an immense treasure from the dragon Pryftan. People who have read the published Hobbit will recognize that the essential story is present, but with many variations and false starts which Tolkien eventually straightened out.
The text notes and short essays provided by Rateliff are absolutely fascinating. They include discussions on the nature of elves, the origins of the word bilbo, magic rings from Plato onwards, and the influence the Dr. Dolittle series and the Tolkien children's love for bears had on the construction of The Hobbit.
This volume ends with Bilbo and the dwarves' arrival in Laketown. Again, be sure to buy Volume II at the same time as Volume I, because you'll want to keep reading!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing and sumptuous Hobbit history, April 30 2008
By Richard D. Marcus "Economist and Fantasy Fan" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Mr. Baggins (Hardcover)
For those who loved their journey from Hobbiton, across Mirkwood, to the Lonely Mountain and back, "The History of The Hobbit," by John Rateliff is a delight - even better than a second Breakfast. You will relive the first pleasure of reading about that most excellent and audacious Mr. Bilbo Baggins in early drafts by Tolkien.We find that the wizard Galdalf was first named Bladorthin. Thorin was originally named Gandalf, the dwarf. Even Smaug was once Pryftan. Why these names evolved and much much more make "The History of the Hobbit," a great read for mere fans, philologists, as well as certified literary critics of Professor Tolkien.
Each chapter-length section of early drafts by Tolkien is enhanced with excellent text notes about these fragments. Following these sections of The Hobbit, Rateliff presents notes on the characters, geography, and types of magic encountered in Middle Earth.
Because these commentaries are so engrossing, it is tempting to jump around. If you are a riddle-lover, than jumping to the chapter on Gollum is a must. Rateliff provides sumptuous and intriguing tidbits about riddles written in Old English as well as in Mother Goose. If the background of the Ring tickles your wonderment, then we find sources ranging from Plato's Republic to H.G. Wells' Invisible Man, as well as many other influences.
Like the winding path Bilbo takes, under mountains and through the air, readers of "The History of The Hobbit," will find that they will want to visit all the spots that Bilbo did with greater understanding and renewed joy.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bilbo Baggins, Mar 7 2012
By Richarda - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Mr. Baggins (Hardcover)
Tolkien's story of Biblo Baggins' adventure is not nearly as dark or foreboding as The Lord of the Rings. This adaption of The Hobbit is a great fantasy! It is very appropriate for younger readers too. A wonderful edition!
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
