A New Tolkien Book To Be Released ‘Beren And Luthien’ Predates The Hobbit Trilogy And The Lords of the Rings – Another Trilogy In The Making?

Publishing giant, Harper Collins has announced that it will publish "Beren and Luthien", a new book from author J.R.R. Tolkien next year. The new book will be a compilation of tales that predate the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

According to the Tolkien Society, "Beren and Luthien" is a tragic love tale and J.R.R. Tolkien reportedly wrote it before his other works. The earliest version of the tale of Beren and Lúthien was written in 1917. It was when Beren was an Elf not a Man and the equivalent of Sauron from "The Lord of the Rings" was a large evil cat. Throughout Tolkien's life, the book underwent several revisions but was never published.

Middle earth is the setting of this passionate love adventure, just as with other Tolkien novels. The story explores the undying but impossible love between Beren, a mortal man and Luthien, an immortal elf. Lúthien's father opposed the match, and set Beren on an impossible quest to fulfil before allowing the two to marry: stealing back a Silmaril, a precious Elvish jewel, from their great enemy, Morgoth.

 It wasn't only Luthien father's disapproval that stood in their way. The dangers of the quest threatened Beren's life, and her elvish immortality stood to separate her from her mortal lover forever. The story of Beren and Luthien bears close resemblance to the story of Aragon and his beloved, Arwen in 'The Lord of the Rings." Arwen is actually a descendant of Luthien. Could it be that Arwen is not a pure elf?

Although Tolkien did not call his wife Luthien, he acknowledged that she was the inspiration behind the character of Luthien. The names of Beren and Luthien are engraved on the tomb of J.R.R Tolkien and his wife, Edith. Tolkien's son, Christopher is the editor of the novel, which will be published 100 years after it, was written.

What do you think? Could this be another trilogy in the making?