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innumerable_stars2024-07-31 09:44 am
elwinfortuna) wrote in innumerable_stars2024-07-31 09:44 am
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Promo Post: The Notion Club Papers
Summary
One of Tolkien's most obscure and unfinished works, The Notion Club Papers came about as the result of an agreement with his friend C S Lewis. Lewis took on the challenge of writing a space-travel story, which became his Space Trilogy, whereas Tolkien was clearly all in on Middle-earth at the time and never made it very far into his time-travel story.
The end result that we have is two versions of the beginning of what could have been a much larger tale, consisting of fragments and a somewhat puzzling narrative along with characters clearly based on (admittedly!) the Inklings themselves. The story itself, what exists of it, gives hints of H G Wells' The Time Machine, Charlie Stross' Laundry Files, or, naturally, C S Lewis and his Space Trilogy, to which it is at least partially a response.
Why Should I Check Out This Canon?
I think there is honestly so much untapped potential here for both writers and artists, however, it's probably not to everyone's taste. But if you like the Inklings themselves and would be intrigued by a fictional version, if you like the idea of piecing together fragments of a larger work, if you're inspired to fill in gaps and explore dark recesses, if you're wondering how Tolkien would have perceived the future (1980s-1990s and 2012), or if you're a fan of Aelfwine, then have a look and see what you make of it!
Where Can I Get This?
This is only available in The History of Middle-earth, Volume 9, Sauron Defeated, and makes up the second half of the volume. It was published in the 1990s and is probably available in your local library or bookshop, though it might have to be special-ordered. If you cannot get hold of it another way, please get in touch with me (edgeoflight) / elwinfortuna and I'll arrange to get you a copy.
What Fanworks Already Exist?
Nothing, nada, zilch! If you want to break some new ground here, you absolutely can.
One of Tolkien's most obscure and unfinished works, The Notion Club Papers came about as the result of an agreement with his friend C S Lewis. Lewis took on the challenge of writing a space-travel story, which became his Space Trilogy, whereas Tolkien was clearly all in on Middle-earth at the time and never made it very far into his time-travel story.
The end result that we have is two versions of the beginning of what could have been a much larger tale, consisting of fragments and a somewhat puzzling narrative along with characters clearly based on (admittedly!) the Inklings themselves. The story itself, what exists of it, gives hints of H G Wells' The Time Machine, Charlie Stross' Laundry Files, or, naturally, C S Lewis and his Space Trilogy, to which it is at least partially a response.
Why Should I Check Out This Canon?
I think there is honestly so much untapped potential here for both writers and artists, however, it's probably not to everyone's taste. But if you like the Inklings themselves and would be intrigued by a fictional version, if you like the idea of piecing together fragments of a larger work, if you're inspired to fill in gaps and explore dark recesses, if you're wondering how Tolkien would have perceived the future (1980s-1990s and 2012), or if you're a fan of Aelfwine, then have a look and see what you make of it!
Where Can I Get This?
This is only available in The History of Middle-earth, Volume 9, Sauron Defeated, and makes up the second half of the volume. It was published in the 1990s and is probably available in your local library or bookshop, though it might have to be special-ordered. If you cannot get hold of it another way, please get in touch with me (edgeoflight) / elwinfortuna and I'll arrange to get you a copy.
What Fanworks Already Exist?
Nothing, nada, zilch! If you want to break some new ground here, you absolutely can.