A cover of the very first edition of The Hobbit published in Portugal (1962). Translated by Maria Isabel Braga and Mário Braga, the book notably used the term "gnomo" for the title instead of Tolkien's preferred "hobito". This edition features delightful artwork by António Quadros. #WyrdWednesday
Putri Prihatini
Tolkien described elements of The Lord of the Rings: “You will meet the perennial Gandalf again…" before mentioning names like Elrond, Sam, Tom Bombadil, Gollum, Moria, Lothlórien, Minas Tirith. He ended it by addressing John: "Or I hope so. And supposing you want to.” 3/6
Sometimes traditional recipes make the best Pride snacks, like my favorite sentiling singkong (gelatinous steamed cassava cake sprinkled with coconut shaves, from Semarang, Central Java).
The recipient himself, John Kettle, was a Junior House student at Felsted School. He and other students evacuated at Canon Frome Court in Ledbury, Herefordshire, during the World War Two; hence the mention of both places on the envelope sent by Tolkien. 5/6
To me, this letter is touching because I imagine the recipient, a student who probably was going through difficult times in war, suddenly receiving a special letter from his favorite author. I imagine Tolkien actually took his time to write this beautiful, detailed letter. 6/6
In the letter, Tolkien described more details about The Hobbit, from the maps and the Runes of the book jacket, to the destruction of the publisher's stock in the Blitz. Then, he mentioned his work-in-progress for LotR: "I have nearly finished another book… It is however very long…" 2/6
According to the catalogue note of this letter at Sotheby's, It is rare to find The Hobbit, LotR and The Silmarillion mentioned in the same letter and also characters from LotR while Tolkien was working on the book: "Trotter the Ranger" would become Strider the Ranger. 4/6
One of my favorite Tolkien letters was from him to John Kettle (15 March 1942), a school student evacuated during the war. Tolkien described The Lord of the Rings ("The Hobbit sequel") when it was in progress, and he gave John hints of what's to come. 1/6
#TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday
One of my favorite Tolkien letters was from him to John Kettle (15 March 1942), a school student evacuated during the war. Tolkien described The Lord of the Rings ("The Hobbit sequel") when it was in progress, and he gave John hints of what's to come. 1/6
#TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday
