At the Origins of Middle-Earth: a new book by the author of The Lord of the Rings will tell the first story from Tolkien's universe

The son of the author of the world-famous fantasy saga "The Lord of the Rings" Christopher Tolkien has announced that he will soon release his father's previously unreleased book.

A new part of the story about Middle-earth will be released under the title "The Fall of Gondolin" and will tell readers the story of a lost city attacked by dark forces. The author of The Lord of the Rings once called the story "the first true story about Middle—earth" - the actions in it precede the events described in The Hobbit, which, in turn, is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Source: Guardian

News of the publication of a new book came as a surprise even to researchers of Tolkien's works — after all, in the prologue to the previous previously unpublished book of his father, Christopher, who is now 93 years old, wrote that the project was most likely his last work.

Literary critics note that "The Fall of Gondolin" is in many ways Tolkien's landmark novel, which contains the main touches for the characters and events described in The Hobbit and the trilogy.

John Tolkien in OxfordFragment of a map of Middle-earth

There is also a Dark Lord, and the first meeting with orcs and balrogs — in this book Tolkien makes key sketches of his future works."

John Garth — researcher of Tolkien's works

Book illustration: Alan Lee

The plot of the new book is based on the confrontation between the evil lord Morgoth and the God of the sea Ulmo. The Dark Lord is trying to find and level the city of Gondolin — the capital and last refuge of the Noldor — the elven people under the protection of the God of the sea.

The story tells about the adventures of Tuor, a Noldor elf who goes on a journey to find a lost city and help resist the forces of evil.