Author David Day On Tolkien, The Rings Of Power, And Being Banned From The Tolkien Society

I'm sure he would have issues with anyone who is pointing out the fact that his books are all filled with false and speculatory information.

Roll up, roll up. Who describes themselves as a ringleader? 😆

Another issue I have is that the same book (ok maybe TWO books) under new/different names and are presented them as ‘new’. That may be more his publisher than him, but still.

I hope I don’t get heat for this one, but what I said above could also be applied to Tolkien, with regards to Tree and Leaf, The Tolkien Reader, Poems and Stories, and Tales From the Perilous Realm (with regards to ‘old content, new title/release’) however; the Tolkien books I just listed are approached and presented in a much better fashion than the Day books.

I say that to show that there’s a right and wrong way to approach re-publishing existing content under different titles/releases.

Scarlet_Sorcerer wrote:

Another issue I have is that the same book (ok maybe TWO books) under new/different names and are presented them as ‘new’. That may be more his publisher than him, but still.

I hope I don’t get heat for this one, but what I said above could also be applied to Tolkien, with regards to Tree and Leaf, The Tolkien Reader, Poems and Stories, and Tales From the Perilous Realm (with regards to ‘old content, new title/release’) however; the Tolkien books I just listed are approached and presented in a much better fashion than the Day books.

I say that to show that there’s a right and wrong way to approach re-publishing existing content under different titles/releases.

You make a fair point about republishing old content, and that there isa right way, and a wrong.

On Day, I don't bother with his stuff but have been gifted a few, like many here no doubt have.

Where I become slightly confused and maybe I am somewhat sheltered from online abuse aimed at him because I have not used SM much until recently, but I don't see abuse, I see people calling his books rubbish and that people should not buy them. If this is online abuse, then I guess most of us have been guilty of advising others to consider carefully whether to purchase an item or not.

"...the most prolific Tolkien author alive." This is just silly...

I'd probably say Verlyn Flieger is near the top with her book-length studies on Tolkien's work (Splintered Light is my favorite), her collections of essays on Tolkien, and edited volumes (both about Tolkien and of his work).

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=verlyn+flie ... collsguid-20&linkCode=osi

I have not read any DD books but am aware many state opinions as above.
What's the issue with them as such? I can understand calling out someone who states errors as 'fact' but if expressing an opinion, what's the difference between DD doing it and someone else jumping on the gravy train? To my mind at least unless stated meanings are specifically explained or confirmed by the author, surely it's all speculation?
It's a genuine enquiry, made in an attempt to understand the enmity against DD specifically 🙂

"“When The Silmarillion came out, it really wasn't a big hit,” he explains."

Whereas Wikipedia tells us:

"The book was a commercial success, topping The New York Times Fiction Best Seller list in October 1977.[24] It won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 1978.[2]"

Is it possible that Day -- I have no interest in his books, which I have always figured were get-on-the-bandwagon affairs, though I could be wrong -- means that The Silmarillion wasn't a big hit with mainstream reviewers? I don't know if that would be a valid generalization. The only review that comes to mind is Richard Adams's very high praise for it in the New York Times Book Review. I *think* it was Adams! I have tearsheets somewhere -- regrettably I bought the issue but didn't keep the whole thing. (Grinds teetth)

Day has often tried to make comments like these as back handed ways of taking some or much of the credit for interest in Tolkien. However, flooding the market with cheap poorly made, poorly written books, available at any grocery store is not why Tolkien has retained popularity.