Unfinished Tales Illustrated Edition Hardcover
Unfinished Tales is Tolkien’s collection of Middle-earth narratives and background material, presented here as an illustrated hardcover edition. Its 18 full-color paintings and Christopher Tolkien’s commentaries add visual context and editorial guidance, while the stories range from the Elder Days to the War of the Ring.
At a glance
- Narratives and background spanning the Elder Days through the end of the War of the Ring.
- Includes Christopher Tolkien’s short commentary on each story.
- Covers subjects including the Quest of Erebor, Númenor, the Five Wizards and the Palantíri.
- Illustrations depict scenes from the First, Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth.
Reference price: $38.00
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Combines a wide-ranging collection of Middle-earth material with commentary that helps place each story in context.
- The 18 full-color paintings give the illustrated edition a clear visual distinction from a text-only collection.
- Hardcover format and artwork make it suitable for readers who value a displayable Tolkien volume.
Technical specifications
10 specifications| Format | jacketed hardcover |
|---|---|
| Print length | 528 pages |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Publication date | October 20, 2020 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0358448921 |
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 1.89 x 8.25 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 2.62 pounds |
| Illustrated paintings | 18 full-color paintings |
|---|---|
| Illustrators | Alan Lee, John Howe, and Ted Nasmith |
What to know before buying
Listing details to confirm
The narratives include unfinished material and background stories rather than a single continuous novel. The listing describes a jacketed hardcover edition, so confirm the selected edition if format matters.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Tolkien readers seeking additional Middle-earth stories and lore after The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
- Collectors interested in an illustrated hardcover with paintings by Alan Lee, John Howe and Ted Nasmith.
- Readers who appreciate editorial commentary alongside Tolkien’s narratives.
Less suited to
- Readers looking for a standalone, continuous novel or only finished narrative fiction.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
90% 90% - 4 stars
7% 7% - 3 stars
2% 2% - 2 stars
0% 0% - 1 star
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Customer feedback describes the book as a worthwhile read for Tolkien fans and praises its illustrations, especially Alan Lee’s artwork, as well as the hardbound copy and collectability. Those comments may matter to readers seeking both Middle-earth material and a displayable illustrated edition. The overall rating distribution is strongly positive, but ratings alone do not establish which features caused individual judgments.
Positive themes
- Customers praise the illustrations, particularly Alan Lee’s artwork.
- The hardbound copy and collectability are mentioned positively.
- Customer feedback characterizes the content as worthwhile for Tolkien fans.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of book is Unfinished Tales?
It is a collection of Tolkien narratives and background material from different periods of Middle-earth, with commentary by Christopher Tolkien. It is not presented as one continuous novel.
What illustrations are included?
The listing describes 18 full-color paintings by Alan Lee, John Howe and Ted Nasmith, depicting scenes from the First, Second and Third Ages.
Is this edition a hardcover?
The listing identifies it as a jacketed hardcover edition.
How long is the book?
The listed print length is 528 pages.
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