J.R.R. Tolkien followers can quickly add two display-worthy guide field units to their assortment. Tolkien Myths and Legends Field Set, which options lesser-known unique works and translations of traditional English literature, releases on June 10. Will probably be adopted up on August 19 by new editions of The Nice Tales of Center-earth, which is comprised of the ultimate three prose novels set in Tolkien’s iconic fantasy world. The brand new hardcover field units function lavish cowl artwork and show instances. They’re thought of the fifth and sixth entries in a sequence of hardcover guide field units that debuted final 12 months with the The Historical past of Center-earth, which was printed by William Morrow in its entirety throughout 4 lovely collections.
$125 | Releases June 10
The Tolkien Myths and Legends Field Set is a singular assortment of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, as a result of it does not comprise tales about Center-earth. As an alternative, because the title suggests, it compiles traditional myths and legends, two of which had been written by the writer, whereas the opposite two had been private translations of a few of his favourite works that impressed him.
Just like the overwhelming majority of his posthumously printed work, these had been pieced collectively and edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. Every hardcover guide comes with a double-sided mud jacket. Identical to The Historical past of Center-earth Field Units, one aspect options elaborate art work, whereas the opposite aspect has a extra subdued aesthetic with strong colours. The 4 books come packaged in an attention grabbing show case.
Sir Gawain and the Inexperienced Knight / Orfeo / Pearl: Translations of a trio of traditional epic poems juxtaposed with Tolkien’s well-known 1953 lecture on Sir Gawain.
The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún: An epic verse poem by Tolkien. It was impressed by traditional poetry and Norse mythology. Together with Tolkien’s composition, you may discover notes and commentary from Christopher Tolkien.
The Fall of Arthur: A story poem written by Tolkien that chronicles King Arthur’s ultimate days. The guide contains intensive notes made by Tolkien whereas drafting his solely Arthurian legend. Followers of The Silmarillion will need to learn this one, because it clearly impressed the plot of Tolkien’s Arthurian-esque Center-earth guide.
Beowulf: Probably the most famous–and the oldest known—epic poem of Outdated English literature, Beowulf has acquired many translations. Tolkien wrote his translation in 1926 after which circled again later. Along with the interpretation of the unique poem, this guide accommodates a plethora of commentary by Tolkien himself, which is able to give readers a glimpse into the thoughts of Tolkien the scholar.
When you’re within the Myths and Legends Field Set, you must also take a look at The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien, a large three-volume hardcover field that launched final fall. The beautiful field set, which is on sale for almost 50% off, compiles Tolkien’s life’s work as a poet and clocks in at over 1,700 pages.
$125 | Releases August 19
The Nice Tales of Center-earth is a must-read assortment for all devoted followers of The Lord of the Rings. Although understandably not almost as well-known as The Hobbit, LOTR, and even The Silmarillion, the trio of novels on this set are the ultimate items of prose fiction that happen throughout the writer’s iconic good fantasy world. The entire tales happen throughout Center-earth’s First Age, so whereas written and printed later than Tolkien’s different books, these are the oldest full-length tales in Center-earth.
The brand new 2025 hardcover editions include reversible mud jackets and have particular colour plates, pencil drawings, and illustrated maps by Christopher Tolkien and beloved LOTR illustrator Alan Lee.
Listed below are the three books you may discover within the lovely show case, which contains a fire-breathing dragon.
The Youngsters of Húrin (2007): Written after The Silmarillion as a standalone prequel story, The Youngsters of Húrin takes place 6,000 years earlier than the occasions of LOTR. The story follows the cursed son of Húrin, named Túrin, throughout an period of intense and fixed struggle and widespread devastation brought on by the Darkish Lord Morgoth. When you’ve learn The Silmarillion, you’ll acknowledge among the names discovered on this novel.
Beren and Lúthien (2017): One other very early story set in Center-earth, Beren and Lúthien was reworked and revised over time and ultimately turned a part of The Silmarillion. This compilation of Lúthien and Beren’s story was initially printed in 2017. It reveals the evolution of the love story between the mortal man Beren and immortal elf Lúthien.
The Fall of Gondolin (2018): Based by King Turgon, the eponymous metropolis of elves was hid for a few years earlier than Lord Morgoth’s quest to destroy elven life throughout Center-earth. The Fall of Gondolin’s fundamental protagonist is Túrin’s cousin, Tuor, and his household. Tuor is married to Turgon’s daughter, Idril. The story follows their try to save lots of their little one after the Gondolin (unsurprisingly) falls.
It is price noting that The Nice Tales of Center-earth is already obtainable as a hardcover field set. Whereas it will not match Myths and Legends or the 4 Historical past of Center-earth Field Units, the 2018 hardcover assortment is on sale for under $50 (was $100) at Amazon. Alternatively, you should buy every guide individually in hardcover or paperback.
The Nice Tales of Center-earth Editions:
The Historical past of Center-earth was initially printed over a 14-year stretch from 1983 to 1996. Whereas creating his fantasy world, Tolkien took intensive notes, constructing a backstory for Center-earth throughout three totally different ages and 6,500-plus years. You would argue that the writer’s dedication to crafting the setting that may turn out to be house to a pair of landmark fantasy novels turned Center-earth into essentially the most plausible character Tolkien created. His mythopoeic writings shaped what is usually known as Tolkien’s legendarium.
On the time of Tolkien’s loss of life in 1973, the exhaustive backstory of Center-earth remained unpublished. Over the following few years, his son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, undertook the daunting mission of enhancing, increasing, and curating the legendarium into publishable works. The legendarium would turn out to be a 12-volume sequence titled The Historical past of Center-earth.
Although The Silmarillion is now included in trendy editions of the series–it’s Guide 1 within the latest field sets–the assortment of myths was first printed in 1977. If it had been Tolkien’s resolution, The Silmarillion would have been printed after The Hobbit. When his writer turned down the manuscript, Tolkien pivoted to the story that may turn out to be The Lord of the Rings.
Over time, he continued to revise and increase The Silmarillion. Early drafts and branching tales penned whereas remodeling the manuscript would turn out to be key parts of his legendarium. As such, The Historical past of Center-earth, partly, showcases Tolkien’s growth as a worldbuilder. This is the reason The Silmarillion is introduced as the primary guide in The Historical past of Center-earth. To get essentially the most out of the sprawling Center-earth character research, it is smart to learn the interconnected myths inside The Silmarillion.
For the 2024 hardcover field set releases, writer William Morrow reorganized The Historical past of Center-earth into 15 separate books, together with the invaluable reference Index. The sequence is a considerable endeavor, because it clocks in 5,328 pages throughout its 15 volumes. With Amazon’s present costs, you may get all 4 field units for $262 (was $475), which saves you over $200.
Try all 4 of the 2024 Center-earth field units beneath. A substitute for the 15-book assortment is the weighty three-volume hardcover set launched in 2020. Totaling 5,440 pages–over 1,800 pages per book–The Full Historical past of Center-earth Field Set is an understated, brilliantly designed trio of hardcovers that is obtainable for $138 (was $250). For a sampling of what the sequence has to supply, there is a five-book paperback field set for $28 (was $50).
$63.37 (was $125)
The Historical past of Center-earth Field Set 1 comes with 4 hardcover books with reversible mud jackets adorned with brand-new scenic panorama art work. When you want a “quieter” look, the other aspect has a conventional art work with strong colour backgrounds. All 4 mud jackets have totally different major colours, no matter which aspect you need to use for show, which supplies it a singular, eye-catching look.
The Historical past of Center-earth Field Set 1 launched in February 2024 and is discounted by roughly 50% at Amazon. Collectively, the 4 hardcover books listed beneath complete 1,536 pages.
- The Silmarillion
- Unfinished Tales
- Guide of Misplaced Tales, Half I
- Guide of Misplaced Tales, Half II
$57.18 (was $100)
- The Lays of Beleriand
- The Shaping of Center-earth
- The Misplaced Street
The Historical past of Center-earth Field Set 2 is the one assortment with three books as an alternative of 4. Because of this, the set offered for $100 when it launched in Might 2024. Proper now, you may get the 1,264-page assortment for under $57.
$68 (was $125)
- Morgoth’s Ring
- The Conflict of the Jewels
- The Peoples of Center-earth
- The Historical past of Center-earth Index
Revealed in September 2024, The Historical past of Center-earth Field Set 4 concludes the sequence and even comes with a standalone version of the Index, which is a useful guide to reference whereas poring over the sprawling Center-earth histories, lore, and tales. You should purchase the 1,264-page assortment for $68 (was $125) at Amazon.
Extra J.R.R. Tolkien Guide Field Units
William Morrow’s new hardcover field units with reversible covers are removed from the one beautiful Tolkien collections which can be price testing. The Lord of the Rings has acquired many totally different field units through the years, together with an outstanding high-end version final fall. The Lord of the Rings: Deluxe Illustrated Field Set remastered the fan-favorite 1992 set with illustrations by Alan Lee. With over 50 new drawings and work, silver foil-stamped covers, and hybrid cloth-leather bindings, these editions are really a sight to behold. The foil-stamped clothboard show case holds all three elements of The Lord of the Rings in addition to three unique artwork playing cards and two foldout maps by Christopher Tolkien.
The LOTR Deluxe Illustrated Field Set launched with an eye-watering $325 value, however Amazon is at present promoting it for $146–a financial savings of 55% ($179).
The Deluxe Illustrated Field Set wasn’t the one collectible LOTR set launched final 12 months. William Morrow additionally printed budget-friendly Collector’s Editions of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. The three elements of LOTR had been later collected in a single good-looking Collector’s Version Field Set. Every guide within the hardcover Collector’s Version sequence has stained edges, foil-stamped cowl artwork, a ribbon bookmark, and maps as endpapers. All 5 Collector’s Editions can be found individually for round $20 or much less.
Although not field units, we would be remiss to not point out the Tolkien Illustrated Editions when discussing collectible variations of Tolkien’s masterworks. Every of those lovely hardcover books options drawings, sketches, and work composed by Tolkien himself whereas he constructed Center-earth with phrases. The books have foil-stamped covers, sprayed web page edges with elvish script, a ribbon bookmark, and a pair of detachable maps.
Deluxe Particular Editions of Tolkien Illustrated variations of The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings have material board bindings with quarterbound ribbed leather-based, clouthbound slipcases, an artwork card, and an illustrated booklet.
Extra Tolkien Guide Offers
The listing beneath contains offers on an assortment of editions of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and extra. One standout right here is The Silmarillion Particular Version, which was printed in 2021 and seems like a pure pairing with The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Field Set. This foil-stamped, clothbound version has a slipcase with customized art work and comes with a pair of full-color posters.
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