Simon Tolkien: "The Inheritance"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-04-13/simon-tolkien-inheritance
The grandson of Lord of the Rings author J.R.R.Tolkien describes their close relationship. He talks about his latest legal thriller and how his grandfather’s celebrity and literary achievement influenced his life and his own writing career.
Guests
Simon Tolkien
a former barrister in London specializing in criminal justice and the author of "Final Witness."
Comments
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How wonderful to get to hear more about JRR Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings is such an important work of art to me. Not only have I read it more than 2 dozen times (including 5 times aloud to family), but I have gained such a rich life, thanks to Tolkien helping me fall in love with language, storytelling, myth, and classic literature.
I look forward to reading Mr. Tolkien the Younger's own works.
When a medieval English student at college we used many of Tolkein's scholarly works. The nicest was "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight". His translation, to one who used to read Middle English, was superb.
I am a devotee of Robert Graves, who had a thing or two to say about myth. Did they communicate?
Arne
I think this book sounds great. I always love stories written by authors who have true "real world" experience in the subject matter. This book is going to be a great purchase for me.
My own fascination with fantasy literature, and literature in general, began with The Hobbit.
I very much appreciate hearing Mr. Tolkien speak of his grandfather's works and read for us his own. Were I more a mystery man rather than fantasy, I would most assuredly pick up his novels, as they sound as if they are wonderfully written and tell rich stories, which is an inheritance I am sure he is proud to have! Perhaps I'll pick them up, anyway, and be introduced to a new world to explore.
I also appreciated his interpretation of Tom Bombadil, as I feel much the same way about the character and was on the verge of boycotting the second and third Jackson movies because of the omission of this, most important, character. I am glad that I didn't, but this is still an egregious error on the screenwriters' part, in my estimation.
Thanks for your program Diane and for having the opportunity to listen to Simon Tolkien and appreciate him.
I was wondering if the author ever read " Le Dernier Jour d’un condamné" from Victor Hugo published in 1829 (the last day of a death sentenced).
Hugh, Kensington MD
I'm extremely disappointed that you've got an author with great literary lineage on to speak about his new novel and all you are doing is fielding questions about his father and grandfathers work.
I'd have loved to hear more about his book but apparently I'll need to get a proper review elsewhere.
Very disappointed.
Something magical about Tolkien…The Hobbit & LOTR trilogy was a must read in college in the 60's. Then I acquired The Silmarillion and The Books of Lost Tales, but I have to say a favorite was the whimsical Roverandom mainly because it was written for children, beloved children…hmmm, I may just go find that book and re-read it. thanks for the reminder. Will have to find The Inheritance