Tolkien Library Site News

Tolkien goes mobile - Tolkien Audio Books will be released as OMA Mobile Editions

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:00:00 -0500

On August 1st Tolkien will go mobile and the following OMA Tolkien Editions will be available: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Children of Hurin, The Silmarillion and many more...

Tolkien Collector profile update

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Yvan Strelzyk, a Tolkien collector from Thonon-les-Bains in France, specialized in Tolkien translations, French and English Hobbits and Lord of the Rings editions just send me an update of his profile. In it you'll see that a new Hobbit translation is to be published in September in Norwegian nynorsk (cf. haugenbok.no). All Tolkien collectors are invited to sent in their own profiles or update the ones already online.

Links for 2008-07-08 [Digg]

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Here is your chance to own a piece of Tolkien history
The Former Tolkien home "Woodridings" will soon be demolished. The last remaining features have been removed by the demolisher. These include a wonderful Adam-style fireplace, some garden decorations, doors and a postcard he found behind the fireplace. Here is now your chance to own a piece of Tolkien history. All objects are now up for sale.

Here is your chance to own a piece of Tolkien history

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Tolkiens former home in Poole is going to be demolished and the last remaining features have been removed by the demolisher. These include a wonderful Adam-style fireplace, some garden decorations, doors and a postcard he found behind the fireplace. Here is now your chance to own a piece of Tolkien history because all the items recovered from the house are now up for sale in the Tolkien Library Store.

How Bilbo Baggins Got His Start: An interview with Rayner Unwin

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:00:00 -0500

World at Large came up with a brilliant idea. To honour the move of the book The Hobbit to the big screen, their weekly podcast now features an interview with Rayner Unwin. I have also added a video interview with Rayner Unwin by the New York Times.

Tales from the Perilous Realm Cover Revealed

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:00:00 -0500

This new collection is fully illustrated throughout by Oscar-winning artist, Alan Lee, who provides a wealth of pencil drawings to bring the stories to life as he did so memorably for The Hobbit and The Children of Hurin. Alan also provides an Afterword, in which he opens the door into illustrating Tolkiens world. Here you can see the new cover.

Links for 2008-06-19 [Digg]

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Tolkien Audio Books to be released in 2008 in America
Here is an overview of new Tolkien Audio Books to be released this year: The Hobbit, On Tolkien: Interviews, Reminiscences, and Other Essays, The Lord of the Rings and Tales from the Perilous Realm.

Tolkien Audio Books to be released in 2008 - The Hobbit, On Tolkien: Interviews, Reminiscences, and Other Essays, The Lord of the Rings and Tales from the Perilous Realm

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:00:00 -0500

As some of you might know I am quit a big fan of Tolkien Audio Books. I have an hour drive to work every day and if not listening to BBC World I tend to listen to Audio Books. It makes the drive to work a lot more fun and enjoyable. Now it seems I will be able to add some very nice Tolkien Audio Books to my collection. Here is an overview of new Tolkien Audio Books to be released this year.

Tolkien Calendar 2009 and Tolkien Diary 2009: THE SILMARILLION - cover revealed

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:00:00 -0500

After the Tolkien calendar for The Lord of the Rings (2007) and The Children of Hurin (2008), the 2009 Tolkien Calendar will focus on The Silmarillion and will feature illustrations from the revised illustration edition by Ted Nasmith. While we celebrated The Silmarillions 30th anniversary last year, it is great to see it is now in the picture again. Here you can see the new cover.

Interview with Douglas A. Anderson and Verlyn Flieger on Tolkien on Fairy-Stories

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:00:00 -0500

J.R.R. Tolkiens On Fairy-stories is his most-studied and most-quoted essay, an exemplary personal statement of his views on the role of imagination in literature, and an intellectual tour de force vital for understanding Tolkiens achievement in the writing of The Lord of the Rings. Here is an interview with the authors of the soon to be released gem of Tolkien studies Tolkien on Fairy-Stories.

Tolkien Studies should be out in mid-July - Contents revealed

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Normally Tolkien Studies is being released in April or May, but this year it will be a bit later and be released around Mid-July. They are currently being pressed by the West Virginia University Press. While the cover is not yet available I can tell it will be Chaucers Reeve, from the Ellesmere msnuscript of The Canterbury Tales. Here are the final contents.

Hobbit movies meet dire foe in son of Tolkien

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:00:00 -0500

The son of JRR Tolkien will try next week to halt Hollywood plans to follow the critical and commercial triumph of the Lord of the Rings trilogy by filming The Hobbit and a sequel. Christopher Tolkien, 83, is calling for one last crusade in a long-running court battle against the producers of The Lord of the Rings only weeks before carpenters are due to begin work in New Zealand on the sets for the latest Middle-earth epic. He claims the Tolkien family is owed GBP80m by New Line Cinema under a deal for a 7.5 percent share of profits that was signed in 1969, when his father reluctantly sold film rights to pay a tax bill. Today the film-makers will confirm that Sir Ian McKellen is returning to his role as the wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit and that Andy Serkis will reprise his role as the murderous creature Gollum. Sir Ian Holm, who played the hobbit Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings, is expected to narrate. Viggo Mortensen has unexpectedly been asked to return as Aragorn, a character who does not appear in the original Hobbit story, published in 1937. Peter Jackson, who directed the Rings trilogy, is to produce the Hobbit films. The director will be Guillermo del Toro, the Mexican whose grim fantasy Pans Labyrinth won three Oscars last year. However, at a hearing on June 6 Christopher Tolkien will ask a Californian judge to back his claim that he can terminate film rights to The Hobbit. He is said to be furious with the New Line studio, which earned GBP3 billion from the Rings trilogy. Tolkiens lawyers accuse New Line of accounting chicanery. Warner Bros, owner of New Line, declined to comment. In an internet press conference last night, Jackson and del Toro answered questions about the new films, which will cost about GBP150m to make over the next three years. The first will be rooted firmly in the original book The Hobbit, following the naive young Bilbo on a quest for dragons gold and showing how he obtained his all-powerful ring. The second will cover the 50 years between his return home and the events of The Lord of the Rings. That period is described in The Silmarillion, a collection of notes and tales assembled by Christopher Tolkien and published four years after his fathers death in 1973. Tolkien Jr, described by his biographer as cantankerous, is unlikely to allow the film-makers free access to The Silmarillion. He has always been sceptical of Hollywood. Even now relatives are unsure whether he has watched The Lord of the Rings, which won a total of 17 Oscars.

Interview with Andrew H. Morton on Tolkiens Gedling, 1914 The Birth Of A Legend, a book about Jane Neave and Phoenix Farm

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Last month I announced the book Tolkiens Gedling 1914 The Birth of a Legend by Andrew H. Morton and John Hayes, and I was, as most of us, very intrigued by the content of this book. Here is an interview with the author Andrew H. Morton about the book.

Guillermo del Toro Chat with TORN about The Hobbit Films

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:00:00 -0500

TORN had a very interesting Chat this morning with Del Toro. All Del Toros answers are very wonderful to read and a lot of good news is in this interview. Ian Mckellen will be back as Gandalf, Andy Serkis will be Gollum, John Howe and Alan Lee will be asked to be on board once again. Read the interview here.

Del Toro a Hobbit-Forming Director

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:00:00 -0500

he Academy Award-nominated writer-director has just been signed to helm back-to-back epics adapted from J.R.R. Tolkiens The Hobbit, which, after various delays, are finally going forward with Peter Jackson set to produce and together with Fran Walsh to deliver the script.

Tolkien Studies Volume 5 available for pre-order

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Tolkien Studies, the Annual Scholarly Review, volume V will be available from 31 May 2008. It is the first scholarly journal published by an academic press for the purpose of presenting and reviewing the growing body of critical commentary and scholarship about Tolkien's writings. Now available for pre-order.

Tolkien Online Store Survey

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:00:00 -0500

HarperCollins UK is interested in setting up a permanent online store featuring J.R.R. Tolkiens works including his complete library, signed products and exclusives. They have opened a little survey, which is not very long but very interesting. All Tolkien collectors should spend a little time in answering the seven questions and let us hope something nice comes from this.

Tolkiens Gedling, 1914 The Birth Of A Legend, a book about Jane Neave and Phoenix Farm

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:00:00 -0500

In 1914 Tolkien stayed at his aunts farm, called Phoenix Farm, in Gedling. While the farm has now been demolished, it is said that it was there that Tolkien wrote the poem that in the end led to the Lord Of The Ring. Now, Andrew Morton, has published a book about Tolkiens Aunt Jane Neave.

John Howe Exhibition and signing event in Paris, France

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:00:00 -0500

The French edition of the Fantasy Art Workshop is due out April 17th, so John Howe will be in Paris for a little show at the Galerie Arludik. The next day he will be signing in the Paris FNAC. The exhibition will stay open until may 17th.

Tales from the Perilous Realm: Roverandom and Other Classic Faery Stories

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:00:00 -0500

The flagship book this year will be The Tales from the Perilous Realm, planned to be the definitive reading edition of Roverandom, Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf By Niggle, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and Smith of Wootton Major. Here is all information.

Interview with Adam Tolkien on The Children of Hurin

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:00:00 -0500

A French booksite has released an interview with Adam Tolkien, the grand-son of J.R.R. Tolkien. Because the interview was conducted in French, I have provided a translation here.

The Company They Keep: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien as Writers in Community by Diana Glyer nominated for Hugo Award

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:00:00 -0500

After winning the 2007 Imperishable Flame Award the wonderful book by Diana Glyer has now been nominated for a Hugo Award, as Best Related Book.

Links for 2008-03-20 [Digg]

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Interview with Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee in Paris
This interview was conducted in Paris where I talked with Alan Lee about his live long assocation with Tolkien's works, the upcoming Hobbit movie, his involvement with The Lord of the Rings movies.

Interview with Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee in Paris, France

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:00:00 -0500

It was my honor to do an interview with Alan Lee in Paris on March 15, 2008. I hope this interview will shed some light on the illustrator Alan Lee, his wonderful art, and about his live long association with Tolkien books.

Links for 2008-03-18 [Digg]

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Bonhams Sells Hobbit for World Record Breaking £60,000
The Queen of Hobbits, a very rare 1937 first issue of the first edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's much-loved classic The Hobbit was sold today (18 March) by international fine art auctioneers Bonhams in London for a staggering £60,000 ($120,800) – twice its pre-sale estimate and a new world record price at auction for an inscribed copy of the book.

Projectfiver, a petition for a brave hobbit

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Please take a little time to read this, here is a chance to help out a brave Hobbit.

Bonhams Sells The Queen of Hobbits for World Record breaking GBP 60,000

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:00:00 -0500

The Queen of Hobbits, a very rare 1937 first issue of the first edition of J.R.R. Tolkiens much-loved classic The Hobbit was sold today (18 March) by international fine art auctioneers Bonhams in London for a staggering GBP 60,000 (USD 120,800), twice its presale estimate and a new world record price at auction for an inscribed copy of the book.

Tolkien's Shorter Works and other interesting books by Walking Tree Publishers

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:00:00 -0600

Today we see the publication of a new book by Walking Tree Publishers called Tolkiens Shorter Works. In this article I will also list all latest must-read books published by the same publishing company, namely The Lord of the Rings and the Western Narrative Tradition, How we became Middle-earth and Myth and Magic Art according to the Inklings.

The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook will be released in a sumptuous large-format trade paperback

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:00:00 -0600

A sumptuous large-format trade paperback containing sketches and paintings, by Alan Lee, from the Lord of the Rings, together with brand new and previously unseen material from the books and the Peter Jackson movie adaption, will be published by Harper Collins Publishers in September 2008.

Tolkien manuscripts at Bodleian Library will get a place to be shown to the public

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:00:00 -0600

Original manuscripts from Tolkiens Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and Mary Shelleys Frankenstein will be among a number of national treasures put on display in a new exhibition hall. The new centre will be named the Blackwell Hall.

Update on Tolkien Art Exhibition - good and bad news

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:00:00 -0600

From the 5th of April until the 7th there will be held a wonderful art exhibition in Moreton-In-Marsch in England. Here is an update on the artists attending and some of the latest informations on the event.

Festivities in France for the release of Les Enfants de Hurin

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:00:00 -0600

For the release of Les Enfants de Hurin, the French translation of the Children of Hurin, Tolkiendil will organize some very interesting online chat events and contests. Les Enfants de Hurin will be released on Thursday February 21. If you speak French and are interested in Tolkien then here are some items to add on your calendar.

Far over the Misty Mountains Cold

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:00:00 -0600

On Monday The Tolkien Estate and HarperCollins Publishers sued New Line Cinema to claim their long-forgotten gold in Los Angeles Superior Court. New Line refused to say whether the Tolkien Estate legal action would have an immediate impact on the development of The Hobbit movies. But if successful, the lawsuit has the potential to toss the films into the fires of Mt. Doom.

The Queen of Hobbits on auction at Bonhams

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:00:00 -0600

A signed first impression of the Hobbit and the last known photograph by Tolkien will be sold at Bonhams Printed Books, Maps, Manuscripts and Photographs sale in New Bond Street on 18th March 2008. The signed and dedicated first edition of the Hobbit, from the library of Elaine Griffiths, has been valued at 20.000-30.000 British Pounds. Read here why this Hobbit can be called the Queen of Hobbits.

1968 BBC interview with J.R.R. Tolkien on youtube

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:00:00 -0600

In February 1968 J.R.R. Tolkien was interviewed in conjunction with the BBC television documentary Tolkien in Oxford, of which also a part has been included in the J.R.R. Tolkien: An Audio Portrait. As far as I know this interview was only released last year for the Children of Hurin Release on April 7, 2007. Since then a small part of that interview could be found in the BBC News Archives, yet the interview is far from complete. I managed to locate some other parts of the same interview which were released by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on April 19, 2007. It also includes an interesting interview with Adam Tolkien, the grand-son of Tolkien on the Children of Hurin, conducted by Razia Iqbal from the BBC program Newsnight.

Castles In the Mist - A J.R.R. Tolkien and Fantasy inspired Exhibition

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:00:00 -0600

From the 5th of April until the 7th there will be held a wonderful art exhibition in Moreton-In-Marsch in England. Some of us may have been to previous art exhibitions which were held there and know how wonderful these events are, yet this time it will be even bigger and better. On the guest list are Ted Nasmith, John Howe, Alan Lee, Ruth Lacon and Roger Garland.

Interview with Anke Eisman by Rowns at Tolkien Guide

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:00:00 -0600

In the interview we get some view on the media Anke Eisman likes to work with, her favourite artwork, her favorite Tolkien illustrators, opinion on the Lord of the Rings Movies and the fortcoming books with her artwork. The interview was done by Rowns for Tolkienguide.com.

4th International Tolkien Themed Art Competition: Battles and Combats of the First Age

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0600

This year marks the 4th International Art Competition of ST Wieza City Culture and Art Centre of Bielawa in association with City Promotion and Strategy Department of Bielawa in Poland. The Tolkien theme of this years competition is Battles and Combats of the First Age and competitors are free to submit any piece of art on this subject.

Links for 2008-01-29 [Digg]

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Guillermo del Toro and Howard Shore in for Hobbit movies
Here is a roundup of all news concerning Del Toro directing the Hobbit and Howard Shore composing the new soundtrack for the two Hobbit movies.
Alan Lee goes to France to sign the French Children of Hurin
The bestseller The Children of Hurin will be released in France on the 21st of February. To celebrate the release of 'Les enfants de Húrin' the French publisher Christian Bourgois Editeur has invited Alan Lee to come to France to do several book signing sessions. Find all info on the signing sessions and the translation here.

Guillermo del Toro and Howard Shore on road to The Lonely Mountain?

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0600

We seem to be some days or even hours away from some official announcements by New Line and MGM. Yesterday the Hollywood Reporter announced that Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkiens The Hobbit. However no official announcement was made so far. Howard Shore will probably be composer of the new movies.

Alan Lee goes to France to celebrate the release of the French translation of The Children of Hurin, Les Enfants De Hurin

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0600

To celebrate the release of Les enfants de Hurin the French publisher Christian Bourgois Editeur has invited Alan Lee to come to France to do several book signing sessions. The Children of Hurin will be released in France on the 21st of February.

John Rateliff on The History of the Hobbit - Radio Interview by John J. Miller

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0600

John D. Rateliff, author of The History of the Hobbit, explains to John J. Miller that The Hobbit represents the first time that Tolkien had written a whole book-length work of fiction; his earlier pieces were much shorter than The Hobbit. So it was a sort of ambitious undertaking for him. He got ideas, and then as the story went along, he would reject them. Originally, Bilbo would kill the dragon.

Links for 2008-01-22 [Digg]

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Tolkien on Fairy-Stories a new book on Tolkien
"On Fairy-stories" comprises about 18,000 words. What is little-known is that when Tolkien expanded the essay in 1943, he wrote many more pages of his views that were originally condensed into or cut from the published version. Here is the full version and a lot of new commentary by two major Tolkien scholars, Verlyn Flieger and Douglas Anderson.
Tolkien publications for 2008 by Harper Collins
Here is an interview with David Brawn, publishing director of Harper Collins, who gives an overview of all new Tolkien publications we will see in 2008. A lot of exciting new books and some fabulous new Tolkien publications!

Tolkien on Fairy-Stories by Verlyn Flieger and Douglas A. Anderson

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0600

Contained within On Fairy-stories are the roots of the tree of tales that bore such glittering fruit in Tolkiens published and unpublished work. Here, at last, Flieger and Anderson reveal through literary archaeology the extraordinary genesis of this seminal work and discuss, in their engaging commentary, how what Tolkien discovered during the writing of the essay would shape his writing for the rest of his life.

Tolkien publications for 2008 by Harper Collins - Interview with David Brawn

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0600

Some weeks ago we had a look back at the last year in the article the best Tolkien books of 2007. Now it is time to look ahead and see what new publications we can expect this year. Like last year I contacted David Brawn, the publishing director of Harper Collins, to get some more information.

The Inklings Archives - recordings of talks relating to the Inklings

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0600

A series of audio CDs has been produced of talks given at Church House, Westminster relating to the Inklings: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and other writers who influenced them, including George MacDonald. The recordings were made by Nigel Sustins, the Manager of Church House Bookshop. Each CD is 70-75 minutes in length. Speakers are Priscilla Tolkien, Humphrey Carpenter, Rayner Unwin, Tom Shippey, to name some...

Expensive Tolkien book donated to Oxfam shop

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0600

Daily Records tells us that a rare Tolkien book worth GBP 5000 was handed to an Oxfam shop in Troon, Ayrshire, by a mystery donor. It seems they have noticed the book is special but are complete off when it comes to the value of this book.