Tolkien wrote The Story of Kullervo early in his life after discovering the Finnish epic, The Kalevala. Many Tolkien fans will know that he always lamented the absence, in England, of really great myths. For his home, he yearned for its own Odyssey, or Illiad. This inspired the much adored The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. First, however, it caused him to write his own version of the story of a particular character in The Kalevala, Kullervo.
Kullervo is a tragic hero with multiple flaws. He follows the arc of other, familiar, tragic heroes, except Kullervo never claims any real redemption. At least Odysseus returned and freed his household in the end. As in the Finnish original, Tolkien’s tale offers no such redemption. It is a steady march downward–a tragedy in the truest sense. 
The archaic language Tolkien employs in Kullervo will make some details difficult to discover. With this in mind, and for the curious scholar, the editor, Verlyn Flieger, has provided copious notes after the story. Also included are two versions of an essay Tolkien wrote on The Kalevala and another essay by Flieger titled, “Tolkien, Kalevala, and ‘The Story of Kullervo.’” This book will fascinate the Tolkien enthusiast and the scholar alike. Every page holds greater insight into Tolkien’s writing and his love for myth. Those who have only read his more popular writings may be less delighted at this volumes contents. While The Story of Kullervo is connected to Middle Earth (Kullervo inspired later characters and events.), it will only disappoint those who seek more Aragorn and Bilbo.
Verlyn Flieger has made available a valuable work in the Tolkien canon. It offers greater understanding into the development of Tolkien’s writing. As a Tolkien scholar herself, she has offered her own valuable insights on Tolkien and Kullervo. If you are interested in Tolkien as a writer and wish to understand his development as the creator of Middle Earth, this book is a must-read.
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