This is one of the strangest things I've stumbled across recently. One of the first search results for Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien is a full-text PDF from the official Time website: https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=letters+of+jrr+tolkien. I did a search for other PDFs distributed by them and that is the only copyrighted book I could find. Time Magazine, of all sources, illegally hosts a single book download, and that book is an obscure piece of Tolkien scholarship. I'm...baffled.
It seems like everywhere, even sites I’ve looked at in the UK, are out of stock. Any tips on finding it?
“I think it is plain that quite apart from it, a sequel or successor to The Hobbit is called for. I promise to give this thought and attention. But I am sure you will sympathize when I say that the construction of elaborate and consistent mythology (and two languages) rather occupies the mind, and the Silmarils are in my heart. So that goodness knows what will happen.”
“I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size). I like gardens, trees, and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a pipe, and like good plain food (unrefrigerated), but detest French cooking; I like, and even dare to wear in these dull days, ornamental waistcoats. I am fond of mushrooms (out of a field); have a very simple sense of humor (which even my appreciative critics find tiresome); I go to bed late and get up late (when possible). I do not travel much.”
I recently listened to Letters from Father Christmas written by J. R. R. Tolkien and narrated by Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, & Christian Rodska.
These are letters, as I understand it, written by Tolkien for his children and his family. He writes them as though he is Father Christmas himself. This is interesting because Tolkien is a master storyteller and begins to weave stories into these letters.
The narration of these letters is shared by three narrator's and is as follows; Derek Jacobi plays the role of Father Christmas, John Moffatt is the Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska is Ilbereth the Elf. The result is something that sounds as though it has a full cast, mainly because the letters always use one of these three writers. The only major downside is Christmas music that plays, literally, betwixt every letter. It appears to be a variation on Joy to the World.
Conclusion: This is a great example of how such letters should be written. They tell stories, address the children and their concerns, and even reflect the dearer times. They are, in short, both entertaining and inspiring. Despite the continuing musical interludes, Father Christmas' letters are worth a listen.
Also does anybody here have THE MAPS OF TOLKIEN’S MIDDLE-EARTH and if so is it worth buying. I have read LOTR, Hobbit, SIl, UT, CoH, parts of HOME.
I bought the letters of J.R.R. Tolkien in order to write a research paper on the writing (editing) relationship between Christopher and his father, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book on its own. This book is a treasure trove of information. All the tough questions that are debated endlessly (on line) are addressed by Tolkien himself in letters and correspondences to his family, friends, and peers. The first thing I learned is,there was not always an easy answer for Tolkien himself, so it would stand to reason that we would not find easy answers to the difficult questions on our own. He writes about his process; the occasional writer’s block he encountered and character development. If you were hesitant to buy and read a book that is just letters don’t be it is a great read.
I knew nothing about it until yesterday and admit it’s late to kind of point people in its direction. But Tolkien wrote back to his kids as Santa Claus year after year and the book is a collection of his writings and pictures he drew as Santa. He gives background to how Santa’s house looks and the very task of Christmas. It’s very quaint and a lovely quick read.
It was a bad Hobbit.
Below is a reply from J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin regarding an inquiry from a Cambridge cat breeder who wanted to name a litter of Siamese kittens under names from the Lord of the Rings.
"My only comment is that of Puck upon mortals. I fear that to me Siamese cats belong to the fauna of Mordor, but you need not tell the cat breeder that."
From The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, #219.
“I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size). I like gardens, trees, and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a pipe, and like good plain food (unrefrigerated), but detest French cooking; I like, and even dare to wear in these dull days, ornamental waistcoats. I am fond of mushrooms (out of a field); have a very simple sense of humor (which even my appreciative critics find tiresome); I go to bed late and get up late (when possible). I do not travel much.”
I recently listened to Letters from Father Christmas written by J. R. R. Tolkien and narrated by Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, & Christian Rodska.
These are letters, as I understand it, written by Tolkien for his children and his family. He writes them as though he is Father Christmas himself. This is interesting because Tolkien is a master storyteller and begins to weave stories into these letters.
The narration of these letters is shared by three narrator's and is as follows; Derek Jacobi plays the role of Father Christmas, John Moffatt is the Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska is Ilbereth the Elf. The result is something that sounds as though it has a full cast, mainly because the letters always use one of these three writers. The only major downside is Christmas music that plays, literally, betwixt every letter. It appears to be a variation on Joy to the World.
Conclusion: This is a great example of how such letters should be written. They tell stories, address the children and their concerns, and even reflect the dearer times. They are, in short, both entertaining and inspiring. Despite the continuing musical interludes, Father Christmas' letters are worth a listen.
