Posted on 05/20/2014 4:40:26 AM PDT by Perdogg
There’s more to J. R. R. Tolkien than wizards and hobbits. The author of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” was also an Oxford University professor specializing in languages like Old Norse and Old English.
“Beowulf” was an early love, and a kind of Rosetta Stone to his creative work. His study of the poem, which he called “this greatest of the surviving works of ancient English poetic art,” informed his thinking about myth and language.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Interesting article! Thank You for posting.
I, too, have reservations about publishing a work with which the author was dissatisfied.
Chopin wrote 20 Nocturnes, but most collections (including that of Arther Rubinstein), only have 19. This is because Chopin really didn’t like the twentieth, and refused to publish it.
Every once in a while I see a recording that has all twenty. Even if WE like the twentieth, because, after all, it IS Chopin, I think it is better to respect the composer’s wishes.
Just my humble opinion, but I’m just a bass-playin’,Harley Ridin’ FReeper gal, so what do I know? LOL.
Already ordered my copy last month!
The translation can not help but be influenced by his wonderful mind.
My exact thoughts, McGavin. I will read it for sure.
Michael Crichton wrote “Eaters of the Dead” as proof that a modern version of Beowulf could be popular. He won a friendly bet on the subject. “The Thirteenth Warrior” was the movie version.
I didn’t know that. I like both the book and the movie.
“Published today.”
How long ‘til Peter Jackson starts filming?
He still trying to decide whether it should be filmed in five or six parts.
Only 5 or 6? Peter could make a trilogy just from the cover alone.
From its first word — “Lo!” — to the death of the dragon and Beowulf
Thanks. I always thought that Beowulf was the worst thing about being an English major, but maybe I’ll revisit it.
Benjamin Bagby’s reading of the first part of Beowulf (in Old English) is excellent.
Seamus Heaney is a great gift to poetry, literature, Ireland and humankind.
BA English here as well. “Eaters of the Dead” was very well done; Crichton at nearly his best.
Thank you.
What do you consider his best work?
I liked Timeline and Sphere most but Andromeda Strain and, of course, Jurassic Park are probably most popular.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.