Beren and Luthien Tolkien John Ronald Reuel (2017)

Painstakingly restored from J.R.R. Tolkiens manuscripts and presented for the first time as a continuous, standalone story, this book tells the epic tale of Beren and Lthien, bringing readers back to the Elves and Men, Dwarves and Orcs, and the rich landscapes and creatures of Middle-earth. The story became an essential element in the development of The Silmarillion, Tolkiens myths and legends of the First Age of the World. At its heart is the love between Beren, a mortal man, and Lthien, an immortal Elf. Lthiens father, a great Elvish lord opposed to Beren, sets him an impossible task before allowing him to marry her: together, Beren and Lthien must steal a Silmaril from Melkor, also known as Morgoth, the Black Enemy. Christopher Tolkien presents the legend in his fathers own words, giving its original form alongside later prose and verse passages that show how the story developed over the years. Together, these texts reveal events and narrative immediacy that were later lost.