The meat of the piece, namely the eponymous poem, is fantastic; Tolkien at his best, I would say. Unfortunately the work is incomplete, only comprising of some 1000 lines. While the essays are interesting and do a good job of providing context to the poem itself, I was disappointed that I wasn't able to experience an ending.Disappointed might actually be a poor word for it; it's a bittersweet sort of feeling. I both appreciate the fact that the poem was left "as-is," without Christopher Tolkien attempting to finish it; and feel sorrow at the fact that I won't get to read Tolkien's wonderful language and prose as the legend of Arthur is concluded.Still, I highly recommend the book for any fans of Tolkien or fantasy. It's amazing that Tolkien is heralded as a poet and author to the extent that we languish over his insular, academic work like this. Basic criticisms of this condensed study:1. Christopher Tolkien is himself a fantastic writer, editor, and purveyor for/of his father's life's work.2. JRRT was obsessed with a tradition of Old English poetry that would establish a continuity of mythopoetic story telling for which his work would be just one iteration.3. Tolkien wrote and worked tirelessly (as almost all academic do). 4. We'll read just about anything Tolkien just so much as breathed on or underlined.These conclusions among others make this a good read, an interesting perspective for the intuitive Tolkien reader, but by no means an essential work.
Do You like book La Caduta Di Artù (2013)?
Scholarly, and a tough read. But for fans of that period in history, it's worth it
—LeanneMcpadden
somehow can't get used to reading a story without an ending
—charmaine
This book is for those far geekier than I. :)
—blueberryangel98
