Tales told through the ages of quests and curses, enduring love and immeasurable tragedy
“The power of Tolkien’s central characters—tragic, cursed Túrin; the lovers Beren and Lúthien—shines through.”—Library Journal
Gathering together two of the most crucial stories in Tolkien’s world—those of Túrin, a hero living under a ruinous family curse, and Lúthien, an elven princess whose love for a mortal man is mirrored ages later in Arwen and Aragorn—The Lays of Beleriand sheds light on the creation of the mythology of Middle-earth.
Journey through darkness with Túrin Turambar as he searches for his long-missing father in The Lay of the Children of Húrin, and join Beren and Lúthien on their quest to cut a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown in The Lay of Leithian. Both narratives appear here in alliterative verse and are accompanied by Christopher Tolkien’s commentary on the evolution of the history of the Elder Days. Also included is critical analysis by C. S. Lewis of The Lay of Leithian.
"This is the third volume culled from Tolkien's unpublished manuscripts. Two tales from the Silmarillion the tragedy of Turin Turambar and the epic quest of Beren and Luthienappear in early versions. Turin's story is told in alliterative verse, the other in rhymed couplets. The multiple extant versions of each poem have been painstakingly arranged and synthesized by Tolkien's son Christopher, who has also provided elaborate notes on their relation to previously published works. While the power of Tolkien's central characterstragic, cursed Turin; the lovers Beren and Luthienshines through these poems, they are of interest chiefly in showing the development of a writer's ideas. For comprehensive literature and fantasy collections." —Beth Ann Mills, Library Journal
'A worthy addition to The History of Middle-earth' —Mallorn
'Anyone loving the oiginal books will want to study this one' —Daily Mail