How J.R.R. Tolkien's Son Published The Silmarillion

The story of how Christopher Tolkien had to assemble The Silmarillion from J. R. R. Tolkien's mass of surviving papers.

[MadHatter]

You have to marvel at Christopher’s dedication. How many of us would have the desire, let alone the ability, to fully realize our parents’ uncompleted works? And yet, how much would be lost without Christopher having both? Middle Earth fans almost have as great a debt to Christopher as they do to J.R.R. himself.

[hughzehzelleise]

This is why some fantasy stories just can't compare to the breadth and scope of this singular legendarium as two people gave their lives to bring it to life---their life's work.

[MothyEmms]

we salute J.R.R, Christopher, and all those who have worked on creating and preserving this immense legacy

[tracyrain]

Some people write books. Tolkien wrote a history of a world that never existed. He wrote about lives I miss when I stop reading about them. He gave a fullness to fictional characters, places and events that makes them seem like they really existed. There is nothing comparable with Tolkien's work.

[Bhenderson]

Tolkiens work is so special and important to so many because of what it encapsulates, Christopher Tolkien not only made much of his fathers work publishable, he also protected the integrity of the work, not allowing it to be desecrated for the sake of making a modern film. Unfortunately those left of the Tolkien family only seem to be interested in how much money they can get out of it. I bet you could make many videos about the work that Christopher Tolkien did to publish his fathers work, after all you have the magnificent "history of middle earth" series of 12 or 13 books which gives a fantastic insight into the evolution of the world for those interested. There would be so much to make videos about. I hope you consider more videos on Tolkien.

[sharbean]

We owe Christopher a great deal for his efforts.
Not just the Silmarillion, but the whole of the Histories of Middle-earth, has been documented, catalogued, annotated, and published.
I believe we have no other similar record of an author's process and work over time than that of J.R.R. Tolkien, and only because of Christopher.

[H-Real_]

I am not even a fan of the lotr series, but it is this level of craftsmanship, dedication, and passion that I admire about art.

[JakeDetects]

You have just taught the biggest Tolkien fan a lot more about one of my lifelong loves. Fantastic, informative video.

The grey rain curtain all turned to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise 🌅

[GeraltofRizziaa]

As a Dune fan, Christopher Tolkien was who we wish Brian Herbert could’ve been.

[rachellerachelle]

I'd really like to see more discussion of Kay's work on the Silmarillion - he played an important part in it's construction, and it definitely influenced him as a fantasy writer.

To quote: Christopher Tolkien has commented that "almost every substantial change", made to his father's manuscripts for publication as The Silmarillion in 1977, was: discussed with Guy Kay. He indeed made many suggestions for the construction of the text (such as, in the tale of Beren and Lúthien, the introduction of a passage from the Lay of Leithian), and proposed solutions to problems arising in the making of a composite narrative -- in some cases of major significance to the structure ...

[Zireael]

i would have loved a longer video on this topic. thanks! :)

[Danninorway]

Great video, I hope to see more like it!

[Mushroomhaus]

It’s sad that once Christopher passed, the scholarly aspect of LotR died along with him. The IP is now milked by the rest of the family for as much money as possible. He truly was the last person who cared.

The Amazon series isn’t even that bad at the end of the day. Sure Christopher would’ve hated it, but look at the rest of the LotR landscape: trinkets, toys, terrible video games, mobile games, corporate tie-ins, etc. it’s all just $$$, quality no longer matters.

[atuledunamis]

I think you will be instrumental in helping me get to the heart of Tolkien's work and world...I enjoy your reels .

[Nonzeromist]

Beautiful video, I don't know if you read these comments but your appreciation for their works are so wholesome. I'm starting my Lord of the Rings journey tomorrow, I'll be sure to read the hobbit and then the silmarilion

[rjlchristie]

You are incorrect, When Tolkien died he had also published, Smith of Wootton Major. Farmer Giles of ham and Tree and Leaf. And academic papers and poems.
Presumably you are referring only to Middle Earth related material, even then, Smith of Wootton Major had strong thematic connections.

[Bersztipflag]

Thank you for this fine insight in the work of Christopher Tolkien. You could make an interesting vid on his fathers relations with publishers when he was working on the great book in the 40-ies and 50-ies. The Hobbit had been a (minor) success, and now JRR was asked "more of the hobbit". After many years of toil, the masterpiece was on the table, but it was in the after war times, paper shortage and other difficulties, and the old professor accepted an arraignment with the publisher that did not give him immediate paiement. But he did have a much higher royalty than usual. This meant that Tolkien did not become a very poor professor emeritus, as he had feared, but after the book became the world-wide success we know, a very rich retired gentleman. Good for him.

[clairesstitchingcorner]

I’m curious what’s the book you feature here with all the history of Tolkien and his son please.

[gmenezesdea]

I'm not even a fan of tolkien or the lord of the rings but I do find his dedication and the intricacy and complexity of his work fascinating.

[kapasian]

What is the book, snippets of which can be seen during the video?