One of the other Tolkien stories I read a few times over the past years. A cute short story featuring a brave hero, and of course, a dragon. It's wellOne of the other Tolkien stories I read a few times over the past years. A cute short story featuring a brave hero, and of course, a dragon. It's well fleshed-out and easy to read, unlike some of Tolkien's other works. The edition I have was also accompanied by lovely artwork. Recommended for Tolkien fans and fans of short fantasy stories!...more
Pretty unfinished draft of a poem Tolkien wrote. It's well researched by his son, Christopher, and he kind of writes it into a flowing story. However,Pretty unfinished draft of a poem Tolkien wrote. It's well researched by his son, Christopher, and he kind of writes it into a flowing story. However, for my liking, the poem is a little too unpolished. Entertaining, but I will not reread this....more
Very nice collection of short stories from J.R.R. Tolkien (or letters to his children). Great for Christmas time, ofcourse! I love how there is alwaysVery nice collection of short stories from J.R.R. Tolkien (or letters to his children). Great for Christmas time, ofcourse! I love how there is always a touch of magic in Tolkien's writing, and this collection is no different than the others. The devotion of him to entertain his children every year with these letters is noteworthy....more
This is for scholars and hardcore fans of Tolkien's renderings and old poems. It's not very approachable or easy to read, and it's definitely not a flThis is for scholars and hardcore fans of Tolkien's renderings and old poems. It's not very approachable or easy to read, and it's definitely not a flowing pageturner. Not particularly enjoyable to me personally....more
What a cute children's story! This is about Rover(andom), a dog that gets turned into a toy. It goes on adventures to the moon and the deep sea. It's What a cute children's story! This is about Rover(andom), a dog that gets turned into a toy. It goes on adventures to the moon and the deep sea. It's ofcourse well written and very charming. Pretty short, about 60 pages so great to finish in one go. Plus: the story has dragons, whales, wizards and a serpent!...more
It feels weird to review a classic like this, but there's so much weird magic in this book that I do have an opinion! I really liked it first time I rIt feels weird to review a classic like this, but there's so much weird magic in this book that I do have an opinion! I really liked it first time I read it, now after a few years it's still enjoyable but feels a bit.. weird. I wonder what Lewis Carroll was on when he made up these things. ...more
This was on my to read list since 2015! And now I've finished it, I know why I stalled so long. This is a translation of the old stories, done by J. RThis was on my to read list since 2015! And now I've finished it, I know why I stalled so long. This is a translation of the old stories, done by J. R. R. Tolkien. And, like many other people already mentioned before, his scholarly writing can be hard to follow for people without the same formal writing style or training. So I tried, really, but actually Tolkien's version needs another round of translating.. lol.. I will pick up the "normal" English translation from another writer later. I do admit it was easier to read than some of Tolkiens other translations....more
Moomin comics are the best. I grew up with the Moomins and still love them. They're so quirky! Tove Jansson is one of my favourite authors of all timeMoomin comics are the best. I grew up with the Moomins and still love them. They're so quirky! Tove Jansson is one of my favourite authors of all time!...more
I must say, it is a good story, but less than I expected. Okay, now I got that off my chest, on to my not so very important opinion.
There is so much I must say, it is a good story, but less than I expected. Okay, now I got that off my chest, on to my not so very important opinion.
There is so much extra information in this book, it starts with background information and the reason why the book was released. It's followed by the story, and then pages filled with definitions and more information. All these bits are fun to read if you're a big fan of Tolkien's work.
And that's why I can't give this book five stars. It is for hardcore fans of Tolkien's writing.
The first feeling I get while reading is that professor Tolkien was sitting in the pub drinking a beer, and scribbling some ideas on a beer coaster. He took it home and after his death it was found by someone (his son) who decided to make way more of it than Tolkien ever intended. In the book it's explained why and how, but I can't help to feel this way. I have the feeling this was never supposed to be released as a book because it is not finished at all.
If professor Tolkien read this, he would be ashamed. He would rewrite and edit and make it a fluent story before releasing it.
And that's why I'm not a big fan of this book. This material belongs in a museum for die hard fans. But this is in the bookshops, between finished stories, next to the Lord of the Rings and such, and people will pick it up expecting a full story. This is a shame.
I did not regret buying this, but I will not reread it in the near future. If you're a die hard fan, pick it up for your collection. If you did not enjoy the Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, don't try this one....more
It took me a while to get into Tolkien's other books beside the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. They are a wonderful wealth of information on the amIt took me a while to get into Tolkien's other books beside the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. They are a wonderful wealth of information on the amazing world Tolkien created. But, they are less easy to read than for example the Hobbit. The Children of Hurin is more tragic, more intense. Recommended for hardcore fans....more
I don't dare to review the Silmarillion, really. So here's just my opinion: I loved it. Beautiful stories, for me less interesting than the Lord of thI don't dare to review the Silmarillion, really. So here's just my opinion: I loved it. Beautiful stories, for me less interesting than the Lord of the Rings but I'm glad I read it....more