Beren and Lúthien Finally Published 100 Years After Its Conception

Last year it was announced that J.R.R. Tolkien’s Beren and Lúthien would be published on the 100th anniversary it originally being penned by Tolkien. The story was first published as part of The History of Middle-Earth but is now available as a stand alone book with beautiful illustrations.

As we reported, the tale of Beren and Lúthien is very personal to Tolkien as he based the two lovers upon himself and his wife. Indeed, their grave bears the names Beren and Lúthien. Tolkien apparently first conceived the story shortly after returning home after the Battle of the Somme. In the Winter of 1916, Tolkien spent his time convalescing from the horrors he’d seen.

Tolkien and his wife would take walks together in the East Yorkshire countryside and one day his wife, Edith, started to dance in a field of white flowers. This image struck a chord with Tolkien and a similar scene is depicted in the tale of Beren and Lúthien. The story follows two lovers, Beren, a mortal man, and Lúthien, an immortal Elf, as they fall in love and then attempt to steal from an evil being named Melkor.

Beren and Luthien US
Beren and Luthien UK

This newly published edition has been edited by Tolkien’s son, Christopher Tolkien, and features illustrations by Alan Lee who has become famous for his Tolkien illustrations and won an Oscar for his work on the film adaptations of both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Beren and Lúthien is set to be released this Thursday by HarperCollins.