It was announced last week that a new novel by J.R. R. Tolkien will be posthumously published: Beren and Luthien. It is an epic love story between a human, Beren, and an elf, Luthien.
The story already appears in "The Silmarillion". However, the tale only appears, in mythical, detail sparse style of "The Silmarillion". It's is little more than a lengthy summary. A reading of the chapter reveals that it has excellent potential to become a detailed complete narrative.
"The Children of Hurin", another bedrock myth from Tolkien's canon, was given similar treatment in 2007. The story was given its own volume with more detail and a more novel oriented--as opposed to broad mythical--style.
There has been some criticism from certain Tolkien fans, for the prolific posthumous publishing Christoper Tolkien has done. The argument often offered is that the works are merely published for financial benefit as opposed to providing relevant works for readers.
This criticism is certainly legitimate. But, if Tolkien would have wanted any of his extraneous myths posthumously published, it would likely have been the tale of Beren and Luthien. It was so dear to him, that he re-imagined the tale in the love story of Arwen and Aragorn. The initial epic love story was inspired by Tolkien's own experiences.
Tolkien (Ronald) met his future wife Edith when he was 19. The two quickly began to develop affection for each other. However, they became "star-crossed lovers" when Ronald's guardian, a priest named Father Francis, forbade young Ronald from even writing to Edith until he was 21. Tolkien obediently waited until his birthday and then contacted Edith. She reservedly replied that she was now engaged to another man. Not willing to accept this result, Ronald intercepted Edith at a train station. He found that she inwardly still harbored affection toward him and had only accepted the other marriage proposal because of his long silence.
The two were married right before Ronald's deployment in the British Army. They had four children. While their marriage was certainly not without its trials, their affection for each other endured throughout their marriage.
Their love is most explicitly displayed on their mutual grave stone which reads:
Below Tolkien's name is written "Beren".
In a letter (340) regarding the engraving Tolkien wrote: "She was (and knew she was) my Luthien...Yet I hope none of my children will feel that the use of this name [for the inscription] is a sentimental fancy...I never called Edith Luthien--but she was the source of the story that in time became the chief part of the Silmarillion."
The importance Tolkien attached to the myth makes it an apt tale for its own volume. It is also one of the more appealing stories from Tolkien's mythology. It features forbidden love (therefore giving it an immediate populist appeal), a perilous quest to confront a dark lord (Sauron's precursor, Morgoth), vampires, werewolves and final agonizing choice for the heroine.
The myth is also significant for its female heroine. While Tolkien is often criticized for his portrayal of female characters in "The Lord of the Rings", Luthien is a surprisingly strong female character. It is her lover Beren, who is captured and, in a reversal of fairy tale stereotypes, Luthien must rescue him. She delivers him from Sauron--who is now the Morgoth's minion--and then has an astounding faceoff with Morgoth himself.
"The Children of Hurin" edition was stunningly illustrated by "Lord of the Rings" film concept artist, Alan Lee. His drawing breathed life into the tale. Thankfully, his work will also appear in the upcoming novel (which will feature both prose and poetic versions of the tale).
While "The Silmarillion" itself, with its innumerable plot lines as complex as a spider web, could not easily make a coherent film, it is possible the singular tale of Beren and Luthien could. Yes, many Tolkien fans are still smarting from "The Hobbit" films (they did have their good points!). However, this epic love story could, in the right hands, be converted into a film that might rival even "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
