Wayne and Christina update

Thanks for sharing, I see there are so many updates on the Tolkien Companion and Guide... it's been a while since I wanted to get a copy of that. For you guys that have it, is it a valuable source?

Also I am wondering whether they will ever release a new edition containing all the "addenda & corrigenda"...

Max wrote:

Thanks for sharing, I see there are so many updates on the Tolkien Companion and Guide... it's been a while since I wanted to get a copy of that. For you guys that have it, is it a valuable source?

Also I am wondering whether they will ever release a new edition containing all the "addenda & corrigenda"...

The updated edition like the first is a stunning work and one I could not live without. It is my most used resource in Tolkien research. I have the 3 volume box and the digital editions.

As for whether there will ever be another update, I doubt it but who knows.

I hope that W&C are finally given the chance to produce a new 38 volume slipcase box-set compiling Tolkien's letters and unpublished diaries with letters arranged by subject, with a special section devoted to his academic letters and activities.

While it's great that they supply corrections online, I would much rather a book take an extra 3-6 months to come out and have NO errors. Please note, I'm not blaming anyone in particular.

insurrbution wrote:

While it's great that they supply corrections online, I would much rather a book take an extra 3-6 months to come out and have NO errors. Please note, I'm not blaming anyone in particular.

The book came out in 2017, so it has been three years. All of the Addenda (which are by definition “additions”) and much of the Corrigenda (“corrections”) are as a result of information that has come to light in the intervening years.

We could ask W&C to not release their book until all knowledge of Tolkien is complete and well documented, but that would be “never”. ?

I am quite happy (excited!) that they continue to update their invaluable resource as new material comes to light. It makes was is already an indispensable resource even more useful.

insurrbution wrote:

While it's great that they supply corrections online, I would much rather a book take an extra 3-6 months to come out and have NO errors. Please note, I'm not blaming anyone in particular.

I put together a compilation of unpublished Tolkien texts, had a professional editor proof and correct it, had two academics proof read and offer corrections and had a few friends also look at it, and still now I am correcting it. A work of this nature is simply impossible to publish perfect.

Very true. Again, I by no means was saying "They should have waited!" "HarperCollins is to blame!" or anything of the sort. Throughout the entire process of doing a book (first draft to publication) mistakes can happen, and slip through the cracks. Not being a published author, I truly have no idea what all the steps are, and what they entail.

For the next major celebration of The Lord of the Rings (70th anniversary? 75th anniversary?) I think that the editions coming out for that most likely won't have any errors: what with the revisions in thanks to Christopher, and Hammond & Scull in 2004 and 2014, and the communication that's made possible thanks to the internet, there truly is no reason to not have a perfect edition at that point. (typos, mis-alligned poems, etc....)

Urulókë wrote:

insurrbution wrote:

While it's great that they supply corrections online, I would much rather a book take an extra 3-6 months to come out and have NO errors. Please note, I'm not blaming anyone in particular.

The book came out in 2017, so it has been three years. All of the Addenda (which are by definition “additions”) and much of the Corrigenda (“corrections”) are as a result of information that has come to light in the intervening years.

We could ask W&C to not release their book until all knowledge of Tolkien is complete and well documented, but that would be “never”. ?

I am quite happy (excited!) that they continue to update their invaluable resource as new material comes to light. It makes was is already an indispensable resource even more useful.

Absolutely - that these books continue to get additions (for free) after publication is pretty amazing (and is a testament to the integrity of W & C).

Well said, Stu.

Stu wrote:

Urulókë wrote:

insurrbution wrote:

While it's great that they supply corrections online, I would much rather a book take an extra 3-6 months to come out and have NO errors. Please note, I'm not blaming anyone in particular.

The book came out in 2017, so it has been three years. All of the Addenda (which are by definition “additions”) and much of the Corrigenda (“corrections”) are as a result of information that has come to light in the intervening years.

We could ask W&C to not release their book until all knowledge of Tolkien is complete and well documented, but that would be “never”. ?

I am quite happy (excited!) that they continue to update their invaluable resource as new material comes to light. It makes was is already an indispensable resource even more useful.

Absolutely - that these books continue to get additions (for free) after publication is pretty amazing (and is a testament to the integrity of W & C).

Hear hear!!