Lay of Aotrou and Itroun

The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun is an early but important work by J.R.R. Tolkien, published for the first time with Tolkien's 'Corrigan poems and other supporting material. It tells of a childless Breton Lord and Lady and the tragedy that befalls them when Aotrou seeks to remedy their situation with the aid of a magic potion obtained from a corrigan.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 128 pages
\n Publication date: 30 May 2019
\n Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
\n

For over 70 years, this early but significant work has been out of print. However, it is now published for the first time, along with Tolkien's "Corrigan poems" and other supporting material, including a prefatory note by Christopher Tolkien.

"In the land of Britain beyond the seas during the Age of Chivalry, The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun tells the tale of a childless Breton Lord and Lady, known as "Aotrou" and "Itroun." The story unfolds as Aotrou seeks to resolve their childless condition with the help of a magic potion obtained from a corrigan, or malevolent fairy. The potion succeeds, and Itroun bears twins. However, the corrigan returns, seeking her fee. Aotrou is faced with a difficult choice: betray his marriage and risk losing his life, or pay the corrigan and sacrifice his honor.

"The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun" emerges from the darker realm of J.R.R. Tolkien's imagination. It forms part of a relatively brief but intense period in Tolkien's life when he was deeply immersed in Celtic, particularly Breton, myth and legend. Written in 1930, this early but seminal work holds significant importance in the non-Middle-earth section of Tolkien's canon, alongside his other retellings of myth and legend, such as "The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún," "The Fall of Arthur," and "The Story of Kullervo." These works, along with "The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun," constitute a small but vital corpus of Tolkien's ventures into "real-world mythologies," each of which exerted a formative influence on his own legendarium.

In conclusion, the publication of "The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun" marks a significant milestone in Tolkien scholarship. It allows readers to access this early but seminal work, which has been unavailable for over 70 years. The inclusion of Tolkien's "Corrigan poems" and other supporting material provides valuable context and enhances the understanding and appreciation of this literary masterpiece.

\n Weight: 120g\n
Dimension: 197 x 128 x 12 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780008202156\n \n