Not exactly a Middle Earth book.. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

10-24-2001, 03:09 AM

but,in my opinion,papa Tolkien's best. Leaf By Niggle. Its an amazing short story about the nature of art and the artist,and the place art has in heaven.Made me cry.Has anyone else read it?

Kin-strife · 10-24-2001, 07:33 AM

I've never read it but I'd like to. I read in one of his letters to Stanley Unwin that he wrote it in just two hours. Very odd for the meticulous JRRT who's usually known for writing and re-writing over and over.
Having not read it I don't really know the conection but I remember reading somewhere that it was influenced by his writing LoTD. Something about how he started out writing a simple sequal to the hobbit but it kept growing broader. Like Niggle who I believe began wanting to paint a leaf but that became a tree and then a forest and so on. Is that what happened or am I completely mistaken. I really must read it.

HerenIstarion · 10-24-2001, 08:14 AM

I did
and if it was not signed JRRT on the title page (and him dead before I was born) I would have thought he was describing my life.

Halbarad · 10-27-2001, 08:24 PM

I have read it, very moving, but the one that touched me was 'On fairy tales'

10-24-2001, 03:09 AM	#1
Melly Guest Posts: n/a	Not exactly a Middle Earth book.. but,in my opinion,papa Tolkien's best. Leaf By Niggle. Its an amazing short story about the nature of art and the artist,and the place art has in heaven.Made me cry.Has anyone else read it?

10-24-2001, 07:33 AM	#2
Kin-strife Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 58	I've never read it but I'd like to. I read in one of his letters to Stanley Unwin that he wrote it in just two hours. Very odd for the meticulous JRRT who's usually known for writing and re-writing over and over. Having not read it I don't really know the conection but I remember reading somewhere that it was influenced by his writing LoTD. Something about how he started out writing a simple sequal to the hobbit but it kept growing broader. Like Niggle who I believe began wanting to paint a leaf but that became a tree and then a forest and so on. Is that what happened or am I completely mistaken. I really must read it. __________________ "Come away, O human child!/ To the waters and the wild/With a faery hand in hand,/ For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand."

10-24-2001, 08:14 AM	#3
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,301	I did and if it was not signed JRRT on the title page (and him dead before I was born) I would have thought he was describing my life. __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

10-27-2001, 08:24 PM	#4
Halbarad Wight Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cheongju, Korea Posts: 147	I have read it, very moving, but the one that touched me was 'On fairy tales' __________________ -Halbarad to Aragorn, 'The Passing of the Grey Company' Book V, Return of the King."A little people, but of great worth are the Shire-folk. Little do they know of our long labour for the safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not"