Exciting news ahead …
I smell the covers of a new Tolkien book on the way! 🙂
Such a phrase is rarely heard nowadays. However, it seems like a feast considering we’ve just had The Fall of Arthur released barely a year ago.
Indeed, word had just come out that the Tolkien Estate (in association with Harper Collins) will publish J.R.R. Tolkien’s own translation of the Anglo-Saxon epic, Beowulf.
The book will be available on May 22nd, this year.
At long last!
And that’s not all – as the book will feature commentaries on the poem from Tolkien and a previously unpublished short story written by Tolkien himself, entitled Sellic Spell.
Once again, edited by Christopher Tolkien, this book is perfect for any Anglo-Saxon fans – especially of Beowulf (me! me!) and Tolkien fans alike (me too! me too!).
Years ago, I had read about a possible translation Tolkien had done but it seemed that a published version was doomed to remain a mystery.
What a lovely surprise therefore, to have been given the news within such a short time from publication. Usually, these things are announced a year before – but I’m certainly not complaining!
The book will be available in Hardcover and Deluxe Edition, and is already available for pre-order on Amazon.
For more info, visit: J.R.R. Tolkien’s Beowulf
Anyone eager to get his hands on this?
I know I am – and expect an in-depth review here, once it is released. 🙂
Yes! Exciting times ahead!
A Tolkienist's Perspective 
Very cool. I was just thinking of this a week or so ago. As soon as I saw your link this is what I thought of immediately.
I hope some of the essays in Monsters are included. I can’t afford Monsters & Essays!
It would make sense to include some of the essays in the book – but then again, others who own a copy of Monsters & Critics would be paying for half of the same content already present in the two books.
I’m hoping we get some new, unpublished commentaries and essays related to Beowulf (but I doubt it).
As to the Monsters and Critics, you can find a new copy of the book on both Amazon UK and Amazon.com for the price of £11 or $13.
Funny, I only checked Amazon.ca (Canada), and it was much more. I’ll still wait–I have a good library copy.
Pumped about the translation in any case.
I love the cover art. It’s amazing. I think this is the copy I’ll be getting. Plus the extras sound great.
Agreed! In fact, it’s Tolkien’s own artwork and a great way to reference the dragon in the poem 🙂
That’s amazing. Thank you for sharing. I’m so tempted to buy the book today. Should wait for pay day . . .