chris@rand-unix@sri-unix.UUCP (08/01/83)
Being something of a Tolkien fan, my copy of "Unfinished Tales" was a first edition, bought as soon as Blackwell's in Oxford could fill a standing order. I liked it; it is much like "The Silmarillion" in tone and content, being a collection of unfinished works that Christopher Tolkien has edited from his father's manuscripts. It includes a longer, more depressing version of the tale of Turin Turambar than in the Silmarillion, and some shorter material on folk in Numenor. In other words, if you liked the Silmarillion, you will probably enjoy some of the Unfinished Tales; if you particularly like the humor and characterization in LOTR which is missing from the more "historical" treatments given the material in the Silmarillion, you probably will find the Unfinished Tales dry. It isn't necessary to fork over $15.00 for the pleasure: the paperback edition is out. Also, Publisher's Clearing House in New York is remaindering the hardback for $2.95 or $3.95, (which means that Dalton's or Walden's or one of the other excuses for a bookstore are probably also selling it for less than publisher's list price).