Christopher Tolkien on Sigurd and Gudrún

The Guardian has interviewed Christopher Tolkien, now 84 and living in France, on The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, the new book by the late J.R.R. Tolkien which he prepared for publication:

Responding via fax to a series of questions about The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, published for the first time today, Christopher Tolkien expressed the hope that it would show a different side to the author of the much-loved classic The Lord of the Rings….

“My hope is that some of those who appreciate and admire the works of my father will find it illuminating in respect of Old Norse poetry in general, in his own treatment of the fierce, passionate and mysterious legend, and in this further and little known aspect of him as both philologist and poet. Above all I hope they will take pleasure in this poetry.”

Comments by Andrew Porter and others follow the article.

[Thanks to Andrew Porter for the story.]