Klucz do Tolkiena

by Michael W. Perry, Ryszard Derdziński (Translator)

Here is the book that Tolkien fans have needed for half a century--a detailed, book-length chronology of J. R. R. Tolkien's complex tale. Whether you are a serious Tolkien fan or simply someone who enjoys reading the story over and over again, this is the book for you. It's the first totally new reference for The Lord of the Rings since the 1970s.

Beginning over 1400 years before the major events in Tolkien's epic, it describes, year-by-year, the amazing and imaginative background history that Tolkien created for his masterpiece. Then for the main narrative, it becomes a day-by-day reference, describing what each character does on that day and all the places where those events are described in Tolkien's writings. You can find out, for instance, what Merry and Pippin are doing as Sam perpares rabbit stew on the morning of March 7.

Probe deeper into Tolkien. See why someone as serious as Gandalf was interested in fun-loving Hobbits. Discover an exciting new plot, based on Tolkien's notes, that begins when Aragorn captures Gollum. Follow along as the Black Riders and Gandalf race for the Shire. Decide for yourself whether Sauron and the Ring have any ties to Hitler and Stalin. Explore what Tolkien believed about nature and technology.

A few facts illustrate how helpful this chronology is. Most of narrative is a deliberately confusing sea of next days and third days that leave readers as confused as the tale's main characters.The middle 60 percent of The Lord of the Rings gives the current date only once. In the narrative as a whole, the date is given only 23 times, or once for every 43 pages, and most of those come when the plot is moving slowly. That's why those who want to dig deeper and understand better what Tolkien was saying will find this book a must-have.

Genres: Fantasy

367 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2003

Reviews

[Mhorg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far too many spelling and factual errors and oversights to be enjoyable. I don't need Tolkien untangled, the tale of years in the appendices of the Return of the King is enough for me.

[nocka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klucz do Tolkiena to pozycja pomagająca uporządkować chronologicznie wszystkie fakty, które mają miejsce we Władcy Pierścieni. Dzieło Tolkiena jest na tyle rozbudowane i opasłe, że nietrudno o zgubienie się co, kto, gdzie i kiedy. I wtedy ta książka przychodzi z pomocą. Ba!, rozbudowuje wiele rzeczy o informacje z Listów czy innych opracowań dotyczących twórczości Władcy…. Razem z chronologią, wyjaśnieniem działania kalendarza Shire'u czy rozpisaniem dokładnie faz księżyca w danym dniu, dostajemy także wiele informacji biograficznych, które pomagają zrozumieć pewne mechanizmy w książce. Jednak odradzam czytanie przed, czy nawet w trakcie czytania trylogii. Robi to też sam autor.
Myślę, że jest to głównie pozycja dla fanów Śródziemia, którzy chcą rozbudować swoją wiedzę i lepiej zrozumieć świat stworzony przez Tolkiena.

[Dusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can be confusing and hard to start. Get through the first 75 or so pages, and it becomes a great tale in the spirit of middle earth.