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Group Read for December 2012: Letters from Father Christmas
By Michael · 12 posts · 102 views
By Michael · 12 posts · 102 views
last updated Aug 02, 2016 01:37PM
What Members Thought
Reading this as an adult, what comes across most strongly is Tolkien's love and affection for his children (which is, of course, what one would expect of all parents for their children, but which sadly is not always so) and his delight in writing and drawing these little Christmas stories each year.
Due to the very young age of his eldest son when the first letter was written in 1920, these early missives are very short, but in 1925 we get a longer message which introduces us to the North Polar B ...more
Due to the very young age of his eldest son when the first letter was written in 1920, these early missives are very short, but in 1925 we get a longer message which introduces us to the North Polar B ...more
Nov 16, 2012
Fran
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-books,
own-tolkien
Dear HarperCollins,
I don't know why on page 160 you've written 'can't decipher' in red, when the picture of the letter clearly reads 'Not mine Ilb' which is quite obviously 'Ilb' for 'Ilbereth' and the other clear visual clue is that it's written in his hand. It's very simple, and therefore totally bewildering why whomever produced this book was, for some reason, unable to decipher it. Or why all the other people who, presumably, cast their eyes over it to try and read it also couldn't get it. ...more
I don't know why on page 160 you've written 'can't decipher' in red, when the picture of the letter clearly reads 'Not mine Ilb' which is quite obviously 'Ilb' for 'Ilbereth' and the other clear visual clue is that it's written in his hand. It's very simple, and therefore totally bewildering why whomever produced this book was, for some reason, unable to decipher it. Or why all the other people who, presumably, cast their eyes over it to try and read it also couldn't get it. ...more
This book is really sweet, Dad Tolkien obviously put a lot of effort into making Christmas a magical time for his kids, but it ends on a downer because (view spoiler)
I particularly liked the illustrations, and my favorite character was The Polar Bear. ...more
I particularly liked the illustrations, and my favorite character was The Polar Bear. ...more
Letters from Father Christmas is a collection of letters purported to be from Father Christmas (actually J. R. R. Tolkien) to his children throughout the years. It's a really cute idea and the letters are more imaginative than what you'd expect – but it's also clear that Tolkien never intended these to be seen and read outside of the family. As such, while Letters from Father Christmas has its moments of excitement, it lacks the polish and the thrills that Tolkien's other childrens' stories poss
...more
A heartwarming and charming book; a lovely collection of letters written by J.R.R. Tolkien as Father Christmas and given to his children at Christmas time each year. Most of the letters were written in response to the childrens letters to Father Christmas.
Each of the letters tell a story about the going ons in the North Pole. They are humorous, adventurous and delightful.
Also, his drawings and paintings are beautiful.
Each of the letters tell a story about the going ons in the North Pole. They are humorous, adventurous and delightful.
Also, his drawings and paintings are beautiful.
Delightfully charming with a historical subtext that's fascinating considering the origins of the text.
...more
What a loving father to write these letters over the course of 23 years!
Feb 04, 2012
Paul
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
tolkien-related,
childrens
Sep 10, 2012
Anatha
marked it as to-read
Jan 19, 2013
Tugce Gizem
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
tolkien,
to-read-21
