Why You Should Read 'Letters From Father Christmas'
A collection Tolkien's charming (and fully illustrated) letters to his children.
On its own, J.R.R. Tolkien’s love of mythology would have been enough to academically enrich the world around him, both as a professor and as a father. One of his son’s earliest memories was of his father singing the Beowulf epic, and his translation has made the poem accessible to the masses without compromising its beauty. But it is Tolkien’s grand imagination which so distinguishes him, allowing the author to build upon mankind’s universal treasure trove of ancient mythology and mold it into something new which could bless the world over. And while Middle-earth has certainly been well-cherished by millions, perhaps Tolkien’s private (and posthumously published) Letters from Father Christmas may best exemplify Tolkien as a dad.
The collected letters, which were wonderfully illustrated and penned in mysterious spidery handwriting, give the reader a glimpse into Father Christmas’ re-imagined life at the North Pole. Starting in 1920, these letters continued for two decades. Sometimes the Tolkien children would awake to find a letter dusted in snow. Other times, the letter would be delivered by the postman.
The earliest of these was a simple message written when his first born was a toddler, but the collection extends two decades until his youngest was grown, with a continuity always building upon the groundwork from the previous year.
These charming tales often revolve around the mischief created by Father Christmas’ chief assistant, The North Polar Bear, and their ever expanding household. And through these adventures, the reader is engaged with gnomes and snow people, and Father Christmas’ war with goblins.
Its Santa’s Workshop as only Tolkien could deliver, and a fun read for the holidays.
Merry Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, its not too late to grab a copy of my book, Frog of Arcadia. Its a fun little adventure for young people and people young at heart. Frog of Arcadia is available on all major platforms and from all major retailers.
