• In The Media
• |
• Overview
• |
• Details

For the first time, a definitive collection of J.R.R. Tolkien's poetry brings together the verse of the beloved author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

While millions have enjoyed the songs and poems embedded in his classic tales, the full scope of his poetic skill was known only to scholars--until now. This comprehensive literary history charts his lifelong journey as a poet, from his earliest work to the verses he wrote in his final years.

This landmark collection gathers the full breadth of his verse, revealing the evolution of a master storyteller and the creative fires that forged Middle-earth:

• A Lifetime of Verse: Follow Tolkien's poetic journey, from a limerick written at age twelve and poignant First World War poetry to the profound verses composed alongside his beloved fiction.
• The Songs of Middle-earth: Discover early poems that became the foundation for The Silmarillion, including the first appearance of E¿¿¿rendel, alongside celebrated verses from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
• Echoes of Ancient Lays: Delve into Tolkien's skillful translations of epic works like Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and see how the Finnish Kalevala and Norse sagas influenced his own mythology.
• From Whimsical to Epic: Experience the full range of Tolkien's talent, from the playful rhymes of Tom Bombadil and comic bestiary poems to the mythic grandeur of The Fall of Arthur and the heartbreaking tales of his legendarium.