Articles
Thesis about Soviet chilren's fantasy fiction
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
A thesis about Soviet children's fantasy fiction (Fantastic in Form, Ambiguous in Content: Secondary Worlds in Soviet Children's Fantasy Fiction) by Jenniliisa Salminen was examined in Turku University on February 13, 2009.
The thesis can be found here: https://oa.doria.fi/handle/10024/43575
New Tolkien book to be released in May
- Written by Thialfi
HarperCollins is to publish a new book by J. R. R. Tolkien. The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, edited and introduced by Tolkien’s son Christopher, will be published in hardback in May 2009.
The previously unpublished work was written while Tolkien was professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University during the 1920s and '30s, before he wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The publication will make available for the first time Tolkien’s extensive retelling in English narrative verse of the epic Norse tales of Sigurd the Völsung and the Fall of the Niflungs.
Further details about the contents of the book will be revealed closer to publication.
In Norse mytholgy, the warrior Sigurd is the mythical son of Sigmund and Hjordis, as depicted in the Volsung Saga. The Sigurd myth has influenced numerous modern stories. Richard Wagner's opera Siegfried is a retelling of the Sigurd myth. Tolkien used certain elements in his books, such as the sword reforged and the cursed ring, there are also numerous elements in The Children of Hurin.
Majel Barrett Roddenberry has died
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
Actress Majel Barrett Roddenberry, the widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, has died aged 76.
She died of leukaemia on Thursday at her home in Los Angeles, her family said in a statement.
The actress, who featured in nearly every Star Trek TV show and film, nurtured the legacy of the sci-fi series after her husband died in 1991.
She recently finished her role as the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in the new Star Trek film, due out in May.
Barrett Roddenberry was involved in the Star Trek universe for more than four decades.
Source: BBC News
The David Gemmell Legend Award
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
The DGLA will be presented for the very first time in 2009 for the best Fantasy novel of 2008. The award will be given to a work written in the 'spirit' of the late, great David Gemmell, a true Master of Heroic Fantasy.
Michael Crichton has died
- Written by Seregil of Rhiminee
Best-selling author Michael Crichton has died in Los Angeles aged 66 after a "courageous and private battle against cancer", his family has said.
He penned Jurassic Park, as well as books like Congo and Disclosure, all of which were adapted into films.
His books have sold more than 150m copies. He also created the long-running US hospital TV drama ER.
Source: BBC News