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See the Lord of the Rings Epic from the Perspective of Mordor [eBook]
Much like the wildly popular book “Wicked” mixed up the good/bad dichotomy in the Wizard of Oz, “The Last Ring-Bearer” shows us the Mordor’s take on the Lord of the Rings.
The work of a Russian paleontologist, Kirill Yeskov, “The Last Ring-Bearer” frames the conflict in the Lord of the Rings from the perspective of the citizens of Mordor. Salon magazine offers this summary, as part of their larger review:
In Yeskov’s retelling, the wizard Gandalf is a war-monger intent on crushing the scientific and technological initiative of Mordor and its southern allies because science “destroys the harmony of the world and dries up the souls of men!” He’s in cahoots with the elves, who aim to become “masters of the world,” and turn Middle-earth into a “bad copy” of their magical homeland across the sea. Barad-dur, also known as the Dark Tower and Sauron’s citadel, is, by contrast, described as “that amazing city of alchemists and poets, mechanics and astronomers, philosophers and physicians, the heart of the only civilization in Middle-earth to bet on rational knowledge and bravely pitch its barely adolescent technology against ancient magic.”
Hit up the link below to grab a PDF of the official English translation of Yeskov’s work.
The Last Ring-Bearer [via Salon]
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- By Jason Fitzpatrick on 02/21/11
Comments (4)
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Downloaded it and have placed on my lengthy to read list. Could be interesting since I loved all of Gregory Maguire’s books (including Wicked).
Thank you!
Just read the first few pages, seems well written and well translated. I look forward to reading it, thanks!
It is not a retelling of the War of the Ring. It picks up the story after the war is over and while the ‘good guy’s’ are mopping up in Mordor.
There are one or two short flashbacks
It tells a tale from the perspective of ‘opposition to the rule of Gondor’ in Middle Earth.
It is worth a read as it is better then fan fiction but is not from a polished professional. Call it written by a talented amateur who needs an editor.
If the elves aimed to be masters of Middle-earth, why were they leaving it for Eldamar? The time of man was at hand. What was Feanor’s work, if not technologically advanced? Who started ring-making? It was the elves, not Sauron. This doesn’t stand up to a moment of scrutiny.