Brand spanking new Tolkien book (honest and true!) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Diamond18 · 03-25-2003, 08:35 PM

Somewhere, a mod is sighing and moving his/her mouse pointer toward the "close topic" button, muttering, "Yes Diamond, we know about Beowulf..."

But no, I'm actually talking about Simon Tolkien. He just published a novel, "Final Witness" in December. The Tolkien family tradition continues!

Apparently it's a courtroom drama, not fantasy, but I found it interesting that the Prof's grandson is following in his footsteps. It was even mentioned in the flap. Talk about pressure, eh? I would personally be terrified of writing a novel if any of my close relatives had written the book of the century.

So, has anyone seen this or read it? Is it any good? Is there any reason I should drop the LeGuin novel I'm reading now ("The Beginning Place"...) to run out and read "Final Witness"? Does grandbaby live up to grandaddy? Well, does he???

Somewhere, a mod is comtemplating saying that this thread isn't Tolkien related. Aha, but it is, it is. Simon is literally related to J.R.R. Tolkien. Ba dum bum.

Gorwingel · 03-25-2003, 08:42 PM

I read a review of the book in People Magazine, and they actually said that it was a pretty good book. They thought it was a well done first novel. I don't recall which week the review was in, but you could always check if they have reviewed it on Amazon.com.

Kuruharan · 03-25-2003, 08:51 PM

Hmm...if the critics like it, it can't possibly be that good. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie · 03-25-2003, 09:04 PM

Sounds interesting, but does anyone know what it's about?

Diamond18 · 03-25-2003, 09:15 PM

Oh, Amazon. Right, what a novel idea. Heh heh. I saw the book at work today but didn't have time to really look at it (c'mon, I was working!)

So anyway, here's what the Editorial Review at Amazon says:

Quote:

From Publishers Weekly
A British teenager accuses his stepmother of conspiracy in his mother's murder in Tolkien's absorbing if uneven debut legal drama. The book pits 16-year-old Thomas Robinson against the beautiful, social-climbing Greta Grahame, who married Thomas's father, Sir Peter Robinson, a prominent politician, soon very soon after Lady Anne Robinson was killed. Thomas, who witnessed his mother's murder by two armed robbers, alleges that Greta was behind the killing. His courtroom testimony alternates with Greta's, and with a third-person narrative that at times contradicts both of the witnesses and keeps the reader in suspense. As Tolkien spins his tale, he explores the tense relationship between Greta, formerly Sir Peter's personal assistant and a working-class Manchester girl, and the well-born Lady Anne. The book is fast paced and crisply plotted, with Tolkien elegantly piecing together the different perspectives and introducing unexpected twists. Yet the characterizations are quite thin and stereotyped, and Tolkien relies on elaborate physical descriptions and heavy-handed, oft-repeated epithets ("green-eyed Greta" or a police officer's "sinister smile") to fill in the gaps. Readers may also be disappointed by the ending; after all those nail-biting twists, characters turn out to be more or less as they initially seemed, and tidy reconciliations strain credibility. Still, this is a promising first effort from Tolkien; one hopes that in the future he will be able to handle his characters as masterfully as he does the plot mechanics.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Darkside · 03-25-2003, 09:23 PM

It is a "courtroom drama", according to the book jacket. I was curious, so I picked it up. Haven't started reading it, yet. I'll post again when I've started to give a quick review. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Iarwain · 03-25-2003, 09:39 PM

Hm. Sounds.. interesting I don't mean to be mean, but I hope Simon isn't about to ruin the family name... (not that that is even possible)

Iarwain

Beren87 · 03-25-2003, 09:47 PM

I just love how often they throw the name "Tolkien" in that Amazon article. That's defenitly a big selling point.

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 03-25-2003, 09:57 PM

*Shuddering* I can't even imagine being him-- how terrifying, although it is a really creepy feeling seeing the name Tolkien intertwined with all that court stuff.

It sounds interesting enough, I guess, but does anyone else share my opinion that rushing out to read this book is somehow akin to people looking for Prince William lookalikes? *makes a face* well, maybe that's a bad analogy, but I think I'm going to pass on Simon Tolkien for the time being.

Sophia

Darkside · 03-26-2003, 10:06 AM

Well, I like a bit of Agatha Christie now and again, kind of light reading for me. Since I've read them all, I thought I would try something new. I can't say that I am enthralled. Not too far into it, maybe 6 or 7 pages and I don't think I'll finish it. Oh well. Thought I would give him a chance. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Bêthberry · 03-26-2003, 10:45 AM

Quote:

"green-eyed Greta"

Maybe he's read 'Revenge of the Entish Bow', Diamond? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Bethberry

Diamond18 · 03-26-2003, 01:01 PM

You never know. He may be our biggest fan.

Iarwain · 03-27-2003, 10:26 AM

Fanfic fans. Hilarious! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I suppose we shouldn't judge poor Simon by the works of his grandfather. He is after all just a youngster (sort of).

Iarwain

Lady Iverin · 03-28-2003, 01:35 PM

Hmmm...
I do believe I saw that book a few days ago in the bookstore. I was looking for Tolkien in the wrong section and stumbled upon it. I had no idea they were related. If Simon got any tips from his grandfather, then it should be a good book.

GaladrieloftheOlden · 05-07-2003, 04:53 PM

Quote:

He is after all just a youngster (sort of).

So, how many 50-or-so year old youngsters do you know? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
I just got the book from the library today, but haven't started reading it yet, as I'm supposed to be doing homework now [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

~Menelien

Iarwain · 05-07-2003, 09:50 PM

"How many fifty year old youngsters do you know"

Well, I knew one named Charlie once... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Diamond18 · 05-07-2003, 11:58 PM

Then again, isn't everyone a youngster to you, Iarwain? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Iarwain · 05-08-2003, 04:26 PM

Yes, indeed they are. But some are more youthful than others, in both action and existence.

Iarwain

03-25-2003, 08:35 PM	#1
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	Brand spanking new Tolkien book (honest and true!) Somewhere, a mod is sighing and moving his/her mouse pointer toward the "close topic" button, muttering, "Yes Diamond, we know about Beowulf..." But no, I'm actually talking about Simon Tolkien. He just published a novel, "Final Witness" in December. The Tolkien family tradition continues! Apparently it's a courtroom drama, not fantasy, but I found it interesting that the Prof's grandson is following in his footsteps. It was even mentioned in the flap. Talk about pressure, eh? I would personally be terrified of writing a novel if any of my close relatives had written the book of the century. So, has anyone seen this or read it? Is it any good? Is there any reason I should drop the LeGuin novel I'm reading now ("The Beginning Place"...) to run out and read "Final Witness"? Does grandbaby live up to grandaddy? Well, does he??? Somewhere, a mod is comtemplating saying that this thread isn't Tolkien related. Aha, but it is, it is. Simon is literally related to J.R.R. Tolkien. Ba dum bum. __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

03-25-2003, 08:42 PM	#2
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,419	I read a review of the book in People Magazine, and they actually said that it was a pretty good book. They thought it was a well done first novel. I don't recall which week the review was in, but you could always check if they have reviewed it on Amazon.com. __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance

03-25-2003, 08:51 PM	#3
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	Hmm...if the critics like it, it can't possibly be that good. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

03-25-2003, 09:04 PM	#4
MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 573	Sounds interesting, but does anyone know what it's about? __________________ Do Not Touch -Willie

03-25-2003, 09:23 PM	#6
Darkside Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Humid Orlando Posts: 34	It is a "courtroom drama", according to the book jacket. I was curious, so I picked it up. Haven't started reading it, yet. I'll post again when I've started to give a quick review. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ "But it seems impossible, somehow, to feel gloomy or depressed in this place." ~ Pippin

03-25-2003, 09:39 PM	#7
Iarwain Pugnaciously Primordial Paradox Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Birnham Wood Posts: 800	Hm. Sounds.. interesting I don't mean to be mean, but I hope Simon isn't about to ruin the family name... (not that that is even possible) Iarwain __________________ "And what are oaths but words we say to God?"

03-25-2003, 09:47 PM	#8
Beren87 Master of the Secret Fire Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Between fire and ice, death and life Posts: 2,241	I just love how often they throw the name "Tolkien" in that Amazon article. That's defenitly a big selling point.

03-25-2003, 09:57 PM	#9
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	Shuddering I can't even imagine being him-- how terrifying, although it is a really creepy feeling seeing the name Tolkien intertwined with all that court stuff. It sounds interesting enough, I guess, but does anyone else share my opinion that rushing out to read this book is somehow akin to people looking for Prince William lookalikes? makes a face well, maybe that's a bad analogy, but I think I'm going to pass on Simon Tolkien for the time being. Sophia __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!

03-26-2003, 10:06 AM	#10
Darkside Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Humid Orlando Posts: 34	Well, I like a bit of Agatha Christie now and again, kind of light reading for me. Since I've read them all, I thought I would try something new. I can't say that I am enthralled. Not too far into it, maybe 6 or 7 pages and I don't think I'll finish it. Oh well. Thought I would give him a chance. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ "But it seems impossible, somehow, to feel gloomy or depressed in this place." ~ Pippin

03-26-2003, 01:01 PM	#12
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	You never know. He may be our biggest fan. __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

03-27-2003, 10:26 AM	#13
Iarwain Pugnaciously Primordial Paradox Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Birnham Wood Posts: 800	Fanfic fans. Hilarious! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I suppose we shouldn't judge poor Simon by the works of his grandfather. He is after all just a youngster (sort of). Iarwain __________________ "And what are oaths but words we say to God?"

03-28-2003, 01:35 PM	#14
Lady Iverin Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: far, far away Posts: 79	Hmmm... I do believe I saw that book a few days ago in the bookstore. I was looking for Tolkien in the wrong section and stumbled upon it. I had no idea they were related. If Simon got any tips from his grandfather, then it should be a good book. __________________ ~O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! We still remember, we who dwell in this far land beneath the trees, Thy starlight on the Western seas.~

05-07-2003, 09:50 PM	#16
Iarwain Pugnaciously Primordial Paradox Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Birnham Wood Posts: 800	"How many fifty year old youngsters do you know" Well, I knew one named Charlie once... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ "And what are oaths but words we say to God?"

05-07-2003, 11:58 PM	#17
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	Then again, isn't everyone a youngster to you, Iarwain? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

05-08-2003, 04:26 PM	#18
Iarwain Pugnaciously Primordial Paradox Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Birnham Wood Posts: 800	Yes, indeed they are. But some are more youthful than others, in both action and existence. Iarwain __________________ "And what are oaths but words we say to God?"