'The Fall of Gondolin,' New JRR Tolkien Book, to Be Published Soon

A new J.R.R. Tolkien book, “The Fall of Gondolin,” will be published in August by Harper Collins. 

Tolkien’s son Christopher Tolkien, now 93, edited the book from his father’s writings as he recovered in the hospital after the Battle of the Somme in World War I, The Guardian reported. Tolkien scholars were surprised by the book’s announcement because Christopher Tolkien had said 2017’s “Beren and Luthien” was the last of his editions of his father’s writings.

The story features Morgoth, the darkest of the dark lords, and the sea-god Ulmo, who protects the city of Gondolin and the Noldor, kin of the elves, who live in the city, The Guardian reported. Tuor, one of the Noldor and the father of Earendel from earlier work “The Silmarillion,” becomes the hero of the story. 

It is the earliest story of Middle-earth and the first time Balrogs and orcs appear, The Guardian reported. 

“It’s a quest story with a reluctant hero who turns into a genuine hero — it’s a template for everything Tolkien wrote afterwards,” Tolkien scholar and author of “Tolkien and the Great War” John Garth said, The Guardian reported. “It’s really Tolkien lumbering up for what he would be doing later.”

Tolkien died in 1973 having published only “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but leaving behind many manuscripts and notes that son Christopher has been editing together for almost 45 years, Den of Geek reported.

The new work will be 304 pages and is illustrated by Alan Lee, who worked with “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” films, Den of Geek reported.  

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