The First Age of Middle-earth 3 Books Collection Set by J.R.R. Tolkien - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set
The Children of Hurin
The Fall of Gondolin
Beren and Luthien

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780007597338 / 9780008655662 / 9780008655655
Publisher: HarperCollins

Overview
The First Age of Middle-earth Collection gathers three of J.R.R. Tolkien's treasured standalone tales—The Children of Hurin, The Fall of Gondolin, and Beren and Luthien—each edited from his manuscripts by Christopher Tolkien. Long before Frodo carried the One Ring, these legends forged the mythic bedrock of Middle-earth: doomed heroism, a hidden city's betrayal, and a love strong enough to challenge a Dark Lord. Presented in matching paperback editions, this set is an essential companion to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, ideal for readers exploring the deep history behind Tolkien's legendarium in three complete, standalone volumes.

About the Books
Long before Bilbo found a ring in a cave, Tolkien was writing the First Age—an era of towering heroism, tragic pride, and world-shaping love. This paperback collection brings together three complete, standalone tales that Christopher Tolkien assembled from his father's manuscripts, letters, and poetry, restoring narratives that once existed only in fragments across The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. The Children of Hurin follows Turin Turambar, a warrior cursed by the Dark Lord Morgoth, whose pride and misfortune spiral toward one of the most devastating tragedies in Tolkien's canon. The Fall of Gondolin tells of a hidden elven city's betrayal and destruction, following Tuor's escape under the sea-god Ulmo's guidance and the birth of Earendel, whose light would later shine over Middle-earth. Beren and Luthien recounts the doomed romance between a mortal man and an elf-princess who dare to steal a Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown, a story Tolkien considered the emotional heart of his legendarium. Together these three books explore the same era from different vantage points—love, loss, courage, and the long defiance of darkness. Fans of The Lord of the Rings will recognize familiar names and themes reframed in their earliest form, while newcomers get a self-contained introduction to the mythology underpinning everything from The Hobbit to the Rings trilogy. Printed in matching paperback format, this collection rewards first-time readers and longtime fans seeking the complete Elder Days saga in one shelf-ready set.

Key Benefits

• Three complete, standalone First Age tales edited by Christopher Tolkien
• Explores the mythic backstory behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit
• Matching paperback editions, perfect for shelf display or gifting
• Features tragic heroes, doomed romance, and the fall of a hidden city
• Ideal for Tolkien completists, legendarium students, and epic fantasy readers
• A great gift for birthdays, holidays, or any fantasy lover's collection

Book-by-Book Guide
The Children of Hurin — A cursed warrior's doomed struggle against Morgoth unfolds into one of Tolkien's darkest and most human tragedies.
The Fall of Gondolin — Tuor's escape from a hidden elven city, guided by the sea-god Ulmo, marks the fall of Gondolin and the birth of Earendel.
Beren and Luthien — A mortal man and an immortal elf-princess risk everything on a perilous quest to steal a Silmaril from Morgoth.

About the Author
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was an English writer, philologist, and Oxford professor best known worldwide for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. His scholarly expertise in language, mythology, and medieval literature helped shape the modern fantasy genre as readers know it today, influencing countless authors who followed him. After his father's death, Christopher Tolkien devoted decades to editing the unfinished First Age manuscripts, including the three tales collected in this set, drawing on Silmarillion drafts, letters, and poetry to present them as continuous, standalone narratives for the very first time.

Why You'll Love This Collection
This matching paperback set delivers three complete legends behind Tolkien's Middle-earth in one satisfying collection—perfect as a birthday gift, holiday stocking stuffer, or a treat before a Lord of the Rings reread. Whether displayed on a shelf or read cover to cover, it's a must-have for any serious fantasy library or classic fiction collection.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.