Beren and Luthien

Painstakingly restored from Tolkien's manuscripts, this epic tale of Beren and Lúthien is presented as a continuous and standalone story, reuniting fans with the rich landscape and creatures of Middle-earth. Central to the evolution of The Silmarillion, this narrative was crafted by Tolkien in 1917, shortly after his return from the battle of the Somme. The story revolves around the love between Beren, a mortal man, and Lúthien, an immortal Elf, whose union is threatened by her father's fierce opposition. He imposes an impossible task on Beren, which sets the stage for their heroic quest to steal a Silmaril from Morgoth, the greatest of all evil beings. Christopher Tolkien endeavors to extract this tale from the larger work in which it was originally embedded, showcasing its evolution through various drafts. By presenting the original form alongside later prose and verse passages, he illustrates how the narrative transformed over time. This compilation reveals lost aspects of the story, enhancing the reader's understanding of its depth and significance within the broader mythology of Middle-earth.