Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
HarperCollins (2018), Edition: First Edition
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. HTML: #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In the Tale of The Fall of Gondolin are two of the greatest powers in the world. There is Morgoth of the uttermost evil, unseen in this story but ruling over a vast military power from his fortress of Angband. Deeply opposed to Morgoth is Ulmo, second in might only to Manwë, chief of the Valar: he is called the Lord of Waters, of all seas, lakes, and rivers under the sky. But he works in secret in Middle-earth to support the Noldor, the kindred of the Elves among whom were numbered Húrin and Túrin Turambar. Central to this enmity of the gods is the city of Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable. It was built and peopled by Noldorin Elves who, when they dwelt in Valinor, the land of the gods, rebelled against their rule and fled to Middle-earth. Turgon King of Gondolin is hated and feared above all his enemies by Morgoth, who seeks in vain to discover the marvellously hidden city, while the gods in Valinor in heated debate largely refuse to intervene in support of Ulmo's desires and designs. Into this world comes Tuor, cousin of Túrin, the instrument of Ulmo's designs. Guided unseen by him Tuor sets out from the land of his birth on the fearful journey to Gondolin, and in one of the most arresting moments in the history of Middle-earth the sea-god himself appears to him, rising out of the ocean in the midst of a storm. In Gondolin he becomes great; he is wedded to Idril, Turgon's daughter, and their son is Eärendel, whose birth and profound importance in days to come is foreseen by Ulmo. At last comes the terrible ending. Morgoth learns through an act of supreme treachery all that he needs to mount a devastating attack on the city, with Balrogs and dragons and numberless Orcs. After a minutely observed account of the fall of Gondolin, the tale ends with the escape of Túrin and Idril, with the child Eärendel, looking back from a cleft in the mountains as they flee southward, at the blazing wreckage of their city. They were journeying into a new story, the Tale of Eärendel, which Tolkien never wrote, but which is sketched out in this book from other sources. Following his presentation of Beren and Lúthien Christopher Tolkien has used the same 'history in sequence' mode in the writing of this edition of The Fall of Gondolin. In the words of J.R.R. Tolkien, it was 'the first real story of this imaginary world' and, together with Beren and Lúthien and The Children of Húrin, he regarded it as one of the three 'Great Tales' o… (more)
Media reviews
The story follows one of the Noldor, Tuor, who sets out to find Gondolin; during his journey, he experiences what the publisher described as "one of the most arresting moments in the history of Middle-earth": when Ulmo, the sea-god, rises out of the ocean during a storm.
When Tuor arrives in
"They were journeying into a new story, the Tale of Eärendel, which Tolkien never wrote, but which is sketched out in this book from other sources," said HarperCollins.
[John] Garth said The Fall of Gondolin contains Tolkien's "biggest battle narrative outside of The Lord of the Rings", but he predicted the "capstone" of the book would be the "exquisite" piece of writing in which Tolkien attempted to tell the whole story again, in the novelistic style of The Lord of the Rings. "In the first (finished version) of the story, you feel like you’re reading The Iliad," he said. "This one (which is unfinished), is more naturalistic."
According to HarperCollins, Tolkien saw The Fall of Gondolin as one of his three "great tales" of the Elder Days, along with Beren and Lúthien and The Children of Húrin. The latter title was also a bestseller, after Christopher Tolkien completed the text left behind by his father and published it in 2007.
[Several below-the-line comments on the review point out that Tuor was not one of the Noldor, but a mortal man].
When Tuor arrives in
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Gondolin, he becomes a great man and the father of Eärendel, an important character in Tolkien's The Silmarillion. But Morgoth attacks, with Balrogs, dragons and orcs, and as the city falls, Tuor, his wife Idril and the child Eärendel escape, "looking back from a cleft in the mountains as they flee southward, at the blazing wreckage of their city"."They were journeying into a new story, the Tale of Eärendel, which Tolkien never wrote, but which is sketched out in this book from other sources," said HarperCollins.
[John] Garth said The Fall of Gondolin contains Tolkien's "biggest battle narrative outside of The Lord of the Rings", but he predicted the "capstone" of the book would be the "exquisite" piece of writing in which Tolkien attempted to tell the whole story again, in the novelistic style of The Lord of the Rings. "In the first (finished version) of the story, you feel like you’re reading The Iliad," he said. "This one (which is unfinished), is more naturalistic."
According to HarperCollins, Tolkien saw The Fall of Gondolin as one of his three "great tales" of the Elder Days, along with Beren and Lúthien and The Children of Húrin. The latter title was also a bestseller, after Christopher Tolkien completed the text left behind by his father and published it in 2007.
[Several below-the-line comments on the review point out that Tuor was not one of the Noldor, but a mortal man].
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User reviews
LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
In The Fall of Gondolin, Christopher Tolkien continues his project of editing his father’s three great tales of the First Age of Middle Earth. He writes in his introduction, “When the time had come, as I supposed, to end at last this long series of editions it occurred to me to try out, as best
The story focuses on the secret Elven city of Gondolin and the arrival of Tuor, one of Húrin’s kinsfolk, who comes to the city at the behest of Ulmo, the Vala who rules over the waters and the sea, in order to warn of Morgoth’s planned attack. Turgon, who built the city, refuses to abandon it and Tuor settles among the people. Tuor weds Idril Celebrindal and fathers with her Eärendel the Mariner. Their union is the second between Elves and Men following that of Beren and Lúthien (and thus also helps to foreshadow the union of Aragorn and Arwen). At the time of Morgoth’s sack of Gondolin, Tuor defends Idril and Eärendel as they flee the city under the onslaught of Morgoth’s Balrogs and fire drakes. Glorfindel defends them against a Balrog in the mountains, enabling them to flee to the sea.
In his conclusion, Tolkien refers to the Lost Tale of Eärendel, never written, before discussing how it relates to the Fall of Gondolin. Though he cautions, “To set out and discuss these often contradictory outlines in their clipped phrases would be contrary to the purpose of these two books [the present one and Beren and Lúthien]: the comparative histories of narratives as they evolved” (pg. 241). He does, however, focus on the two main variants of the conclusion in order to complete his story. As the final of the three tales of the First Age, The Fall of Gondolin more than measures up to expectations. J.R.R. Tolkien’s prose is as ever a delight to read and Alan Lee’s illustrations compliment the text as no other. A must-read for Tolkien fans.
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as I could, a different mode: to follow, using previously published texts, one single particular narrative from its earliest existing form and throughout its later development” (pg. 13). In this, Tolkien follows the method he used in Beren and Lúthien (2017) rather than that of The Children of Húrin (2007), which told a more-or-less coherent story adapted from the various alterations (using the appendix to explain those changes).The story focuses on the secret Elven city of Gondolin and the arrival of Tuor, one of Húrin’s kinsfolk, who comes to the city at the behest of Ulmo, the Vala who rules over the waters and the sea, in order to warn of Morgoth’s planned attack. Turgon, who built the city, refuses to abandon it and Tuor settles among the people. Tuor weds Idril Celebrindal and fathers with her Eärendel the Mariner. Their union is the second between Elves and Men following that of Beren and Lúthien (and thus also helps to foreshadow the union of Aragorn and Arwen). At the time of Morgoth’s sack of Gondolin, Tuor defends Idril and Eärendel as they flee the city under the onslaught of Morgoth’s Balrogs and fire drakes. Glorfindel defends them against a Balrog in the mountains, enabling them to flee to the sea.
In his conclusion, Tolkien refers to the Lost Tale of Eärendel, never written, before discussing how it relates to the Fall of Gondolin. Though he cautions, “To set out and discuss these often contradictory outlines in their clipped phrases would be contrary to the purpose of these two books [the present one and Beren and Lúthien]: the comparative histories of narratives as they evolved” (pg. 241). He does, however, focus on the two main variants of the conclusion in order to complete his story. As the final of the three tales of the First Age, The Fall of Gondolin more than measures up to expectations. J.R.R. Tolkien’s prose is as ever a delight to read and Alan Lee’s illustrations compliment the text as no other. A must-read for Tolkien fans.
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LibraryThing member feeroberts64
The Fall of Gondolin by J.R.R. Tolkien is another tale of ‘Great Tales’ of the Elder Days. There are three books total in the ‘Great Tales’ of the Elder Days which include Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, and The Fall of Gondolin.
I enjoyed reading these tales. Tolkien has brought to
I loved reading about some of the history of Tolkien's world. The characters are deep with trials of their life lead and their losses.
A big treat for me was reading Christopher Tolkien's telling of his father's revisions, additions, and his father's thoughts. This had to be a daunting task and with the help of Christopher's colleagues, he was able to bring to light these tales of the elder days and to give a bit of insight as to what Tolkien's father had in mind concerning his passion of his created world. Christopher Tolkien doesn't get the credit he deserves for helping bring his father's world to light, and I am without question indebted to him for his toiling efforts of bringing this epic story to a full and completed tale, as fully as he could, and bringing it to the public for our enjoyment. I will cherish these stories and will pass them to my children and grandchildren in the hopes of them loving this epic story as much as I do.
I enjoyed reading these tales. Tolkien has brought to
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light more characters and their labors which provided me with great details of Tolkien's world he had envisioned. A lot of trials, loss, and tragedy struck the peoples of Gondolin. I loved reading about some of the history of Tolkien's world. The characters are deep with trials of their life lead and their losses.
A big treat for me was reading Christopher Tolkien's telling of his father's revisions, additions, and his father's thoughts. This had to be a daunting task and with the help of Christopher's colleagues, he was able to bring to light these tales of the elder days and to give a bit of insight as to what Tolkien's father had in mind concerning his passion of his created world. Christopher Tolkien doesn't get the credit he deserves for helping bring his father's world to light, and I am without question indebted to him for his toiling efforts of bringing this epic story to a full and completed tale, as fully as he could, and bringing it to the public for our enjoyment. I will cherish these stories and will pass them to my children and grandchildren in the hopes of them loving this epic story as much as I do.
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LibraryThing member Karlstar
This material should be familiar to all Tolkien readers. The story of the Fall of Gondolin appears in the Silmarillion and is also included in Lost Tales. However, this is the story of how it was written, when it was written and how it evolved. Included are several versions of the tale that were
This is a fascinating tale from the 2nd Age of Middle-Earth, one of the classic tales of humans and the Noldor and one of the greatest of Tolkien's stories. It is always great to read something new by the master.
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written by Tolkien himself over the years, with commentary from his notes about how the story came to be. The full tale is less than 70 pages long and all of the other versions are shorter, so much of this book is commentary and notes.This is a fascinating tale from the 2nd Age of Middle-Earth, one of the classic tales of humans and the Noldor and one of the greatest of Tolkien's stories. It is always great to read something new by the master.
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LibraryThing member MrsLee
A lovely book. I enjoyed reading the fleshed out tale, even though it wasn't very long. I was a bit surprised that the book was as long as it is. Christopher has included the many versions of the tale and related tales that his father wrote as he formed the story of Middle Earth through the years.
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I believe it was helpful that I had just reread the Silmarillion before I began this. Some very helpful information at the end, including a map, genealogies, glossary of words which are of obscure meaning to some modern readers and definitions of place names. The illustrations, of course are lovely. All in all, I am very glad to have purchased this to sit beside my Lord of the Rings collection. Show Less
LibraryThing member norbert.book
A very interesting book, if you have read no more tha the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion.
There are the coming of Tuor to Gondolin (same text you find in Unfinished Tales) and the first version of the fall of Gondolin (the one you find in the Book of Lost Tales, part II)
Plus some bits
There are the coming of Tuor to Gondolin (same text you find in Unfinished Tales) and the first version of the fall of Gondolin (the one you find in the Book of Lost Tales, part II)
Plus some bits
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and pieces from the rest of the HoME Show Less
LibraryThing member adam.currey
This book will probably appeal mainly to serious Tolkien fans. It presents three different versions of the story The Fall Of Gondolin, one of which is complete but written in a very 'old world literary' style that I found hard going, and another of which is easier to read, more verbose, but
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incomplete. The book also includes a lot of commentary from Christopher Tolkien about the various versions, the reasons behind the final one being unfinished, as well as some other related works. Show Less
LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
Years ago I tried reading The Simarillian after having consumed LOTR and The Hobbit. I failed miserably to enjoy the story, so I did not have a whole lot of hope when starting The Fall of Gondolin. Happily, I loved every minute of it. Almost 40 years of living gained me a greater appreciation of
The Fall of Gondolin tells through 3 different tales written by JRR Tolkien during his lifetime of the decimation of the Noldor elves but ultimately where hope would be found 6500 years later. The main character is Tuor, grandfather of Elrond and how he made his way to Gondolin, partook in protecting the city as it fell and ultimately led the remaining elves out of the city.
Christopher Tolkien's commentary about his father and the construction of Middle Earth and the tales set it was also fascinating.
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the detailed work that went into Tolkien's masterpiece, LOTR, and the extensive world that he created.The Fall of Gondolin tells through 3 different tales written by JRR Tolkien during his lifetime of the decimation of the Noldor elves but ultimately where hope would be found 6500 years later. The main character is Tuor, grandfather of Elrond and how he made his way to Gondolin, partook in protecting the city as it fell and ultimately led the remaining elves out of the city.
Christopher Tolkien's commentary about his father and the construction of Middle Earth and the tales set it was also fascinating.
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LibraryThing member sperzdechly
If you read The Silmarillion and enjoyed it, then this book will be great. It presents more details, connects well with different myths of Tolkien's universe, and gives you a glimpse into the creative process of how the sausage was made.
If you read The Book of Lost Tales (part 2), then this book
The story of Eärendil made the read worth it for me. This is a small piece, but I loved the way it completes Tolkien's cosmology and mythology. And illustrations, Alen Lee (as always) did a fabulous job here.
If you read The Book of Lost Tales (part 2), then this book
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will be not so great. It will show you different versions of the story, but any of them nor Christopher's commentary adds a fresh and significant value to the version published in the aforementioned book.The story of Eärendil made the read worth it for me. This is a small piece, but I loved the way it completes Tolkien's cosmology and mythology. And illustrations, Alen Lee (as always) did a fabulous job here.
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LibraryThing member BenKline
Like Beren and Luthien and The Children of Hurin and a few of the other recent releases (though this is THE last according to Christopher Tolkien) .... I always feel bad about giving it 3 stars rather than 4, where it could/should probably be, but just can't do it.
Sadly, this is in the same vein.
Usually I can keep universes in tact in my mind, many universes at once even (Star Wars, 40K, the main arc canon of Middle-Earth, A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones {I count them as two unique}, Stover's works, Stackpole's works, Lynch's works, and so many other fantasy and elsewise universes), but the... smaller, lesser, far-back-in-history, archaic stories of Middle-Earth, like this, Children of Hurin, even Silmarillion, etc, I have trouble keeping all in place in my mind.
And I think its kind of because of publications like this. The story of the Fall of Gondolin is about 90 pages, roughly. (Not going back to check on it). It's then re-told. And re-told in smaller portions/pieces another three times roughly. This is all intercut with descriptions, explanations, behind the scenes information, language explanations, etc, by Christopher Tolkien.
The main story itself is wonderfully written, though cuts off (obviously), and starts up with little exposition (again, obvious reasons why). Its a tragic moment in the history of Middle-Earth and the story and telling behind it is done very well as only Tolkien can do.
I think either sadly, I'm not as huge a fan of Middle-Earth/Tolkien as I was in high school, or due to my much larger reading history, getting piece-meal story with lots of behind the scenes, isn't the excitement it was when I first started to see Chris Tolkien releasing JRR's works when I was younger. Too much to keep juggled and up in the air in my head perhaps that reading the same story 3 times with different spellings of key names/places/battles doesn't hold the same excitement as it used to; or the same interest perhaps.
I'm still glad these books and works were released. Don't get me wrong about that. And I definitely know there is a huge market and a huge fan base ready and willing to read all of these (as am I to be honest, just perhaps with after-effect not as much taken out of it as I used to/as most will get out of this work). I think all of the explanations, expositions, behind the scenes, is also tremendous, and a great service Chris is doing to his father's honor and legacy.
Perhaps this is just me merely wishing I got as much out of this as I know most/many will, or maybe wishing for the time when I enjoyed fantasy and Middle-Earth far more than I do now; or perhaps my time is far more limited, so reading the same story three times feels more time-consuming than when I was in high school and time was endless.
Sadly, this is in the same vein.
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Its barely enough material to meet out a novella, but is then re-told 3 times, and with a ton of add-ons, behind the scenes, and all kinds of things, that by the end unless you're a massive Tolkien and Middle-Earth fan it all becomes jumbled in your head, especially due to some characters having two names (three in some cases) and locations having two names, events happening similar but with slightly different changes or different people involved, etc. Usually I can keep universes in tact in my mind, many universes at once even (Star Wars, 40K, the main arc canon of Middle-Earth, A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones {I count them as two unique}, Stover's works, Stackpole's works, Lynch's works, and so many other fantasy and elsewise universes), but the... smaller, lesser, far-back-in-history, archaic stories of Middle-Earth, like this, Children of Hurin, even Silmarillion, etc, I have trouble keeping all in place in my mind.
And I think its kind of because of publications like this. The story of the Fall of Gondolin is about 90 pages, roughly. (Not going back to check on it). It's then re-told. And re-told in smaller portions/pieces another three times roughly. This is all intercut with descriptions, explanations, behind the scenes information, language explanations, etc, by Christopher Tolkien.
The main story itself is wonderfully written, though cuts off (obviously), and starts up with little exposition (again, obvious reasons why). Its a tragic moment in the history of Middle-Earth and the story and telling behind it is done very well as only Tolkien can do.
I think either sadly, I'm not as huge a fan of Middle-Earth/Tolkien as I was in high school, or due to my much larger reading history, getting piece-meal story with lots of behind the scenes, isn't the excitement it was when I first started to see Chris Tolkien releasing JRR's works when I was younger. Too much to keep juggled and up in the air in my head perhaps that reading the same story 3 times with different spellings of key names/places/battles doesn't hold the same excitement as it used to; or the same interest perhaps.
I'm still glad these books and works were released. Don't get me wrong about that. And I definitely know there is a huge market and a huge fan base ready and willing to read all of these (as am I to be honest, just perhaps with after-effect not as much taken out of it as I used to/as most will get out of this work). I think all of the explanations, expositions, behind the scenes, is also tremendous, and a great service Chris is doing to his father's honor and legacy.
Perhaps this is just me merely wishing I got as much out of this as I know most/many will, or maybe wishing for the time when I enjoyed fantasy and Middle-Earth far more than I do now; or perhaps my time is far more limited, so reading the same story three times feels more time-consuming than when I was in high school and time was endless.
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LibraryThing member KarenCollyer
Classic J R R Tolkein. Although it was great to read all the versions that he wrote, I would have appreciated a more concise version.
LibraryThing member Andy_DiMartino
Love this stuff!!! really enjoyed the breakdown on the various versions of the story and how he shared it all in one place. Such an important part of the backdrop of Middle-Earth
LibraryThing member cloidl
A bit repetitive as it's the same story a couple of times over
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2018-08-30
1917
Physical description
5.87 inches
ISBN
9780008302757