Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth … looking back in wonder

No photography was allowed inside the actual exhibition space due to light-sensitive documents

As you walk up the steps of the Weston Library in the heart of Oxford, anticipation sets in at the sight of a large sign with the word Tolkien printed on it, and wrapped around one of the columns adorning the building’s facade. Heading inside, you find yourself in a large foyer, reminiscent of the British Library, and greeted by that same thought when visiting such places: “There is knowledge here that surpasses all earthly gold and treasure”.

Tolkien Reading Day 2017!

The sun has risen on yet another 25th of March, and that means it’s the start of Tolkien Reading Day!

This day, marking the destruction of the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings, is meant to praise the author’s works and encourage people to read Tolkien by quoting favourite passages.

Besides being a prolific writer, J.R.R. Tolkien was also quite the poet. I’ve mentioned numerous times my love for his poetry and, instead of focusing on the more popular and praised Middle-earth works, today I’ve decided to provide you with four beautiful extracts of these metrical compositions.

Books I’ve Read in 2016

It being New Year’s Eve, this post feels appropriate for this time of year.

Indeed, another 12 months have passed since I last compiled a list of books read, and I’m very proud to say that I have increased the number of works from last year.

Concluding ‘The Fall of Arthur’ – Canto VI Finished!

Canto VI: The Departure of Gawain

In what feels like an historic moment, the long-worked on Canto VI – following from the fifth Canto of Tolkien’s unfinished poem The Fall of Arthur – is finally complete.

It’s been almost a year since I first started work on this project (and here’s hoping I won’t take as long to complete the other planned cantos).

If this is the first time you’re reading about this little project of mine, head over to the first post to learn how it all started.

As I’ve said many times, I’m in no way attempting to do the impossible and write at the same level of Tolkien. But hopefully, I have captured some of the style of writing and a feel of the Old English metre (which is not strictly adhered to).

I’ve done some reshuffling and re-structuring on how I plan to continue the poem. In fact, two more Cantos will follow in order to complete the Arthurian cycle.

Yes! It’s A New Book by Tolkien! ‘The Story of Kullervo’

In what seems to be a yearly tradition, the Tolkien Estate is treating us to a new book by our favourite author.

If you’ve done some reading about the Professor (beyond Middle-earth, that is), you may have encountered many references about Tolkien’s love for the Finnish epic tale of the Kalevala.

Concluding ‘The Fall of Arthur’ – Update 4

Gawain reaches the shores of Romeril

A new update from this project. The following verses continue from where I left off in update 3, here.

At this point in the story, Arthur finds himself hesitating in initiating the attack on Romeril. Thus, Gawain seizes control of a ship and sails towards the coast – hoping to win the beach with a handful of men.

The following verses also attempt to introduce the rather wonderful concept Tolkien was also aiming at including in his poem: that Gawain’s inhuman strength – aided by his shield – reached its peak at noon: giving him superior prowess in battle.

But more writing about this will follow … As always, enjoy 🙂

Concluding ‘The Fall of Arthur’ – Update 3

A few more verses…

Continuing right where I left off during the last update, here’s some further writing. Nothing major, just a couple of new verses on Mordred’s response at Arthur’s arrival to Britain’s coasts.

Please enjoy 🙂

Concluding ‘The Fall of Arthur’ ~ Update 2

The Writing Continues Fervently

You may or may not remember (for which I wouldn’t blame you), that I had in mind a little project that would attempt to conclude Tolkien’s unfinished poem The Fall of Arthur.

You may also recall how much I love this poem and that I had posted an extract way back at the end of August last year (The Writing Begins), hoping to complete the poem in a further 4 cantos (approximately 200 lines each).

Tolkien’s poem ends at Canto V (‘Of the setting of the sun at Romeril’); this project thereby attempts to reconstruct Cantos VI to IX. Weirdly enough, my first update picked up from Canto VII, titled: ‘Arthur lands in Romeril’.

This time, I’m posting an extract from the beginning of Canto VI: ‘The Departure of Gawain’.

As I’ve said before, the verses are more in freestyle form rather than the Old English metre I had originally attempted. I’ve decided to focus more on the rhythm and the sense of every line.

Furthermore, I am in no way attempting to write on the same level as Professor Tolkien – that is rather impossible to do.

Concluding ‘The Fall of Arthur’ ~ The Writing Begins …

A few weeks back I reported the possibility of seeing the completion of Tolkien’s The Fall of Arthur, here.

I expressed my desire in trying and create my own “fan fiction” and expand on the poem’s narrative – by closely following Christopher Tolkien’s notes on the various abandoned sketches his father never completed.

Writing Process Blog Tour

Many thanks to Raelea Hiller for inviting me to join the Writing Process Blog Tour! I’ve never done anything like this, so I’m honoured to have been chosen to be a part of the experience.

Raelea’s blog The Starlit Forest is a haven for people fascinated by poetry and novel writing. Her style of writing is unparalleled and her posts reveal the formation of a brilliant author that will undoubtedly rise through the ranks of acclaimed writers.

So, thanks once again Raelea! 🙂

Now, onto answering some questions …