On a more positive note, The Seattle Times includes The Nature of Middle-earth on their list of "Critic picks 20 of the most eagerly awaited books of 2021".

https://www.seattletimes.com/entertain ... ly-awaited-books-of-2021/

The leak? Maybe Wormtongue?

Trotter wrote:

Private Eye https://www.private-eye.co.uk/ have already reviewed the book. For anyone who is not aware of Private Eye, the magazine is very anti Tolkien and the Tolkien Estate.

I wouldn't get too stressed about Private Eye. Their job is to poke fun at whatever is there to have fun poked at it, and I think the readership knows that.

Amazon UK is reporting that the release has been pushed back to September 2.

Not even two under months after the planned date? I'm fine with this. Would rather the editor take a bit of extra time to ensure everything is as revised as possible, then coming out on time and with errors.

insurrbution wrote:

Not even two under months after the planned date? I'm fine with this. Would rather the editor take a bit of extra time to ensure everything is as revised as possible, then coming out on time and with errors.

I am sure Carl can speak for himself but I would think it is like so many other publications down to delays during Covid times.

Sorry, this is on me. I'm still finalizing the book. But I promise it will be worth the wait!

insurrbution wrote:

Not even two under months after the planned date? I'm fine with this. Would rather the editor take a bit of extra time to ensure everything is as revised as possible, then coming out on time and with errors.

Pedant in me, sorry. ?

27 May -> 2 September =/= "under two months" ?

Strange! Not doubting you, but look: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-nature-of-middle-earth/9780008387921-item.html?ikwid=nature+of+middle-earth&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=362ce2728cdb5e1c2183607d37807285 .

I guess their date might've been wrong. Checking via some UK booksellers, the planned date was June 24.

I know, the date has been all over the place, and really immaterial - just a lighthearted joke more than anything else. As an aside, Canada (especially in the pandemic times) seems to get HC UK books long after they are available in the UK itself. I noted this with the illlustrated Unfinished Tales as well - almost a month after the UK release.

Thanks for the update Aelfwine! Looking forward to the book whenever it is ready, no hurry.