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penguin_emperor_of_the_north's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book that makes me regret every other 5 star rating because I want to emphasize this more.
Is the story that great? No, it's essentially a bunch of people seeking revenge for real or imagined slights until they're out of people to kill (though I've always been fascinated by the story of Sigurd and Fafnir and thought it was interesting how understated Tolkien made killing the prototypical dragon).
But, understand, this is a work of poetry. The first time I read it I found it confusing and vague. Didn't understand what was going on. But this reread I tried something new. I read it out loud.
And it changed my experience entirely. To hear the sounds of the words strung together really illuminated the book and helped me follow and enjoy it more. I'm walking away with a renewed appreciation of the art.
Finally, Tolkien always amazes me. His works always make me stop and consider the craft and skill that went into them. This one in particular. I can't imagine how much effort went into creating this. This is the first book where I'm considering how much work and time Tolkien invested. I'm in awe.
Is the story that great? No, it's essentially a bunch of people seeking revenge for real or imagined slights until they're out of people to kill (though I've always been fascinated by the story of Sigurd and Fafnir and thought it was interesting how understated Tolkien made killing the prototypical dragon).
But, understand, this is a work of poetry. The first time I read it I found it confusing and vague. Didn't understand what was going on. But this reread I tried something new. I read it out loud.
And it changed my experience entirely. To hear the sounds of the words strung together really illuminated the book and helped me follow and enjoy it more. I'm walking away with a renewed appreciation of the art.
Finally, Tolkien always amazes me. His works always make me stop and consider the craft and skill that went into them. This one in particular. I can't imagine how much effort went into creating this. This is the first book where I'm considering how much work and time Tolkien invested. I'm in awe.
elisa13's review against another edition
3.0
Questa epopea nordica non ha nulla a che vedere con il mondo di Tolkien, ma tutto con la sua formazione. Quale esperto del folklore l’autore ha passano gli anni a studiare e tradurre le più svariate storie epiche, incrementanti il suo sapere per poter creare poi il capolavoro del mondo della Terra di Mezzo.
Ora, questa storia racconta le vicende di una discendenza di Nibelunghi e, in particolare, di die sventurati amanti.
Non posso dire ne di aver amato ne di aver disprezzato il racconto. Sicuramente una conoscienza in più sul tema dell’epica norrenna.
Ora, questa storia racconta le vicende di una discendenza di Nibelunghi e, in particolare, di die sventurati amanti.
Non posso dire ne di aver amato ne di aver disprezzato il racconto. Sicuramente una conoscienza in più sul tema dell’epica norrenna.
colorgardgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn’t finish it it was very textbooky. Well I didn’t mind the poems The contemporary versions were very clinical and I would’ve appreciated it being more of a storytelling instead of a dissection.
autiger239's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
tamara_joy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Incest, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
carmenx9's review against another edition
4.0
Reading how Tolkien's research and knowledge of the old Norse epics informed his retellings, which are crafted to stick close to the alliterations and rhythms of the originals, was really neat - even if it did reveal how Tolkien kind of sanitised and left out the gnarliest bits which obviously I'm all over
thestoryowl's review against another edition
4.0
Yes it was stilted and intellectual. Liked it anyway, so there; NYAH!