Further Details + Thoughts on Christopher Tolkien Boxed Sets

 




With the announcement of The History of Middle-earth series, more information has come to light, and I'll share thoughts/opinions afterwards. 

Part of HarperCollins' official announcement reads: "Beginning in November, and continuing throughout 2024, a series of four boxed sets of hardbacks will acknowledge Christopher Tolkien’s remarkable literary achievement, with the final set appearing on what would have been his 100th birthday in November 2024."

So now we know that the fourth and final of the HoM-e (History of Middle-earth) sets will be released then. Once it's been released, I'll showcase the 4 boxed sets here more: between the first and the third, I'll announce them, pass on info, etc; though for my Tolkien Christmas post next year they'll be featured then, as they'll all be out at that point. 

Worthy of note, is that part of the facebook post announcing the sets formally: These boxed sets will be accompanied by a wealth of exciting new publishing, which we will be announcing in the coming months. Hmm.....what else could be coming?! 

The most logical release, would be a Great Tales (The Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien and The Fall of Gondolin) boxed set by HarperCollins. However, it remains to be seen if such a set would be released during 2024, or after the 4th HoM-e boxed set (which would be after his centenary and make sense for it not be announced, unless they don't want to announce too much at once.)




It should be acknowledged that Christopher didn't only focus on Middle-earth. He has put together some non-Middle-earth titles. Some notable examples include: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Monsters and the Critics, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun, The Fall of Arthur and Beowulf. It is my personal hopes that we finally get a standard hardback edition of Sir Gawain, as it physically only exists as a paperback and a deluxe edition. This would also be a great opportunity for them to re-issue The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun with a matte dustjacket. 

Some other titles could reprinted in hardback, such as those with only a paperback edition by HarperCollins and have not existed in hardback since the first editions (example: The Monsters and the Critics). 

I'll be sure to keep you posted of news of future releases. Given that Boxed Set 1 of 4 is due out next month, I can see Boxed Set 2 (HoM-e books 3-5) coming out March or April, and Boxed Set 3 (HoM-e books 6-9) arriving June - August. This would then allow Boxed Set 4 (HoM-e books 10-12 + the index) arrive next November. 

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