Re:W. H. Auden’s 1954 review of The Fellowship of the Ring
by bombcar on Sunday August 20, 2023 @02:08AM
(#37196606)
It's also arguable that undue concern for commercialization kept the Silmarillion out of print, because he kept trying to bring it to the level of perfection found in the LotR.
Re:W. H. Auden’s 1954 review of The Fellowship of the Ring
by thaumasiotes on Sunday August 20, 2023 @05:32AM
(#37197555)
The Silmarillion has not reached the level of quality that would normally be required for publication. The only reason it's published at all is the popularity of Tolkien's other work.
"Perfection" really isn't the right concept here. The Silmarillion is not perfectly written. It also isn't adequately written.
You might note that the author worked hard with Allen & Unwin to have it printed and offered for sale.
If you have the official ‘60s paperbacks from Bellentine you’ll see the back cover is a letter from Tolkien complaining of the unauthorized Ace editions and telling you you should buy only the authorized editions (Ballantine or Houghton Mifflin).
It’s been commercial since the day it first went into print.