Despite all the qualities of the translation Ledoux (1972-1973), reading was hampered by many faults: shells (especially in proper names), errors, omissions, inaccuracies (for lack of knowledge of the universe created by Tolkien) , breaks in tone, etc.
This time it is a connoisseur who tackles this monument of world literature (do not be afraid to tell the truth) in the person of Daniel Lauzon, to whom we owe already the new translation of "Hobbit "in 2012, each time under the supervision of Vincent Ferré, scholar of the author and coordinator of the" Dictionary Tolkien "(CNRS).
Lauzon remains in line with his "Hobbit" for a consistent and coherent translation (and finally truly complete, with the Foreword by the author). His work gum all the defects of Ledoux. True, the translation choices rebuteront many by (Baggins becomes Bessac, etc.) but this deep wrinkle that old habits. It is necessary to approach this text with a fresh eye, as if it was the first time we read "The Lord of the Rings" (remember how good it was!): The translation is clear and very fluid very reassuring when you do not know this universe so dense. Another good point: a special effort was made to render poems.
Finally, this volume is illustrated by Alan Lee watercolors, covers of the English edition of 60 and thus returned in their original colors: happiness.
Conclusion: a new translation of the expected "Lord of the Rings" since the early 2000s; this first volume is proof that it really was worth the wait that long. Deeply Concluded (2015)!
