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btlitell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
This was not only a great story, it was an interesting look into the process that J.R.R. used to write and revise his stories. The commentary by Christopher Tolkien certainly added not only to his father's personal struggles with revising the story but also helps to clarify that ALL writers struggle with imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
brigantine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
5.0
dpdrazek's review against another edition
5.0
This final of the three Great Tales of the Elder Days of Middle Earth is more than a story, but the story of the story. With insights from Christopher Tolkien, this tale originally told in the Silmarillion, gains new life and is again, shown to be one of the most important tales of Tolkiens sub-creation.
It is more enjoyable if you seek insight as to the genesis of Middle-Earth and it’s surrounding universe but if you don’t, it can drag at times as it is not a strict “A-to-B” narrative.
It is more enjoyable if you seek insight as to the genesis of Middle-Earth and it’s surrounding universe but if you don’t, it can drag at times as it is not a strict “A-to-B” narrative.
lesora's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hcal14's review against another edition
3.0
I really could not decide what to rate this. It’s an interesting look at Tolkiens creative process and the only full version of the tale is epic in every sense of the word. The book is just a bit boring to read through after the full version of the tale because it’s just a bunch of fragments/ summaries/ parts of the Silmarillion that he worked on later.
haileyboehner's review against another edition
4.0
One of the better Tolkien stories that precede Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. I say this because even though I did love The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and all the others, they are sometimes very difficult to read. They are told from third person POV and often contain many pages of lineages and foundings of cities etc. The Fall of Gondolin is different and although it is written in third-person, it still holds the essence of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings that is so well-loved. Battles of epic proposions and adventure are what can be found in this tale - balrogs, dragons, elves, and men. I do wish this was written more like Lord of the Rings in a novel format because I love the story - but this will do for now.
I would love to see this turn into a movie or TV series if they could try to not mess it up too terribly. I should add that it may be difficult to read if you had not read the other tales of Tolkien, as many characters in this book are mentioned in other novels and make for an easier read.
3.75/5
I would love to see this turn into a movie or TV series if they could try to not mess it up too terribly. I should add that it may be difficult to read if you had not read the other tales of Tolkien, as many characters in this book are mentioned in other novels and make for an easier read.
3.75/5
slaitine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0