CT's lawyer lays the facts down

[Child of the 7th Age]

Matthew,

There is no doubt that Simon feels estranged from his father and says that he was "cut off".. However, we can never really know the whole truth behind that. So often in life, even when both parties have good intentions, things are misunderstood and bad feelings result. That definitely seems to be the case here.

It does sound as if these misunderstandings go back a very long time and that they have shaped Simon's whole outlook on his life:

"My parents split up when I was 5. My mother was working full time as a teacher. I spent an incredible amount of time alone. I read a lot, including 'The Lord of the Rings.' I would go and stay with my grandfather for a weekend or a week at a time. I spent a lot of time with him on a one-to-one basis.

"He lived in a seaside town. We did lots and lots of word games. We skimmed stones in the sea and walked on the beach. I asked him endless questions about 'The Lord of the Rings.' He was patient and very nice about it. We had a lot of fun together."

Four years ago, Tolkien began reading his grandfather's works to his son, Nicholas, now 12. He says it's one way he's tried to bond with his son as he and his father never have.

"When my relationship with my father broke down, there was not an innate sense of love and affection... to get us through that difficult time," says Tolkien, who is also the father of 1-year-old Anna.

"I've been very conscious with my own son of having a different relationship. We've had a lot of fun together. When the troubles and the difficulties come, we'll be able to get through them."

Christopher is a very private man and chooses not to open up in this way, which is definitely his right. But because he is so private, we can only guess at many things in his life, even the answers to some of our questions about the Legendarium, such as who is going to inherit the mantle and make the decisions for the future.

And there are undoubtedly people who feel that Simon should have kept more to himself. Still, you might enjoy looking at Simon Tolkien's website. He has some interesting reminiscences about his grandfather. Just poke on the various links. Website...

[Lalwendë]

Laying aside all matters of family discord, which are not ours to comment on, I feel that Christopher is the victim of some very peculiar thought. And some wrong thought, as in the Boston news article Child links to, which is full of errors. CT was chosen by his father as the person best suited to oversee what is both a complex and highly lucrative estate. We must trust that JRR chose the right person putting all family issues aside.

The legacy is financially lucrative, but the family are not leeches, they have a trust which donates widely; we must also realise that they do have the right to control unpublished material which could be lucrative in future. They are also right to control what critics and writers have access to as they have Tolkien's reputation to maintain. Of the writers mentioned in the Boston news article as having exclusive access, their number includes Scull & Hammond who are thoroughly reputable and reliable; the guy mentioned (Perry) who had his book stymied by the estate unfortunately wrote an inaccurate book, therefore proving that the Tolkien Estate are correct in restricting access to such a high degree.

Some of these articles would lead those not in the know to believe that the Tolkien family are weird, when in fact they are only protecting a literary asset (and a father and grandfather's good name) from ravening hordes of critics and fans, both sensible and freakish. The truth is that the family have been fully involved with fans, especially via the Tolkien Society, and are entitled to enlist passing on further parts of Tolkien's legacy only through those they trust. If anyone wants to get 'in on the act', then the avenue is there for the sensible and they are remarkably welcoming and friendly (as one or two here will vouch for ).

Approach all negative tales of CT and the estate with great caution.