Beren and Luthien

Immerse yourself in the timeless world of J.R.R. Tolkien with the painstakingly restored epic tale of Beren and Lúthien. Presented for the first time as a continuous and standalone story, this masterpiece reunites fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with the enchanting realms of Elves and Men, Dwarves and Orcs, and the lush landscapes unique to Tolkien's Middle-earth.

The tale of Beren and Lúthien is a vital thread in the tapestry of The Silmarillion, Tolkien's collection of myths and legends from the First Age of the World. Conceived after Tolkien's return from the battle of the Somme in 1916, this narrative became an essential element in the evolution of his broader Middle-earth mythology.

At its heart is the poignant love between Beren, a mortal man, and Lúthien, an immortal Elf. Bound by an unyielding fate, their love story unfolds against the backdrop of a seemingly insurmountable challenge imposed by Lúthien's father, a formidable Elvish lord. To win her hand in marriage, Beren must undertake an impossible task, setting the stage for their heroic endeavor to steal a Silmaril from the nefarious Melkor, also known as Morgoth, the Black Enemy.

Christopher Tolkien, in this carefully crafted volume, extracts the evolving story of Beren and Lúthien from its embedded position within a larger narrative. By presenting the original form and subsequent passages in prose and verse from later texts, readers witness the evolution of this Middle-earth legend. For the first time, these elements are united, revealing facets of the story that were once lost, both in events and the immediate narrative, providing a captivating glimpse into the creative process behind one of Tolkien's most cherished tales.