Today, as I write this, it’s January 3, which means it’s the birthday of J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973). I doubt I could say anything I haven’t said before. I’ve not read any Tolkien in a while, so that well has run a little dry.
But The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion are available in audiobook format. Given that I’m going to be spending a great deal of time in the car over the next few months, listening to them on audiobook would be a good way to pass the time. I’ve already downloaded The Silmarillion.
I’ve read The Lord of the Rings more than once. I’ve not read The Silmarillion yet.
I do think Tolkien is one of the greatest writers the English language has produced. He was from an earlier time, when pacing in stories was different. It was slower, and if the author did his or her job, more immersive than a lot of what is published today.
And there are times I want/need that kind of book.
I’m in the mood for the grand sweep of history, so I’m looking forwards to listening to The Simarillion, starting next week. And shortly, I’ll be raising a glass in professor Tolkien’s memory.
My favorite Tolkien audio is the Tolkien Audio Collection, which has the Professor himself reading excerpts from The Hobbit, The Two Towers and The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, amongst others, and a couple discs of Christopher reading excerpts from The Silmarillion. Even if CJRT’s bits do occasionally veer uncomfortably close to the Holy Hand Grenade priest in Monty Python & the Holy Grail.
I haven’t heard of those. I’ll check them out. Thanks for the heads-up.