Dear Miss Honeybourne - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mister Underhill*** · 11-14-2009, 02:20 AM

I recently discovered a wonderful new blog called "Letters of Note" which showcases interesting pieces of correspondence. A thank-you letter from Tolkien to a fan was posted there today:

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/11...htful-one.html

Though hardly Tolkien's most intriguing letter, it is a delightfully warm and generous response to a fan, and it's so characteristic of Tolkien that even in such a short note he spends the better part of one page (of two) speculating on the origin of Miss Honeybourne's name.

Be prepared to lose an hour perusing the site...

Inziladun · 11-14-2009, 07:46 AM

Interesting site indeed. It doesn't seem T. ever got around to naming something in the Shire after her. At least he didn't take Hunter Thompson's line and threaten to cut off her hands.

Bêthberry · 11-14-2009, 09:20 AM

A sweet find, Mister Underhill. Thanks for the link.

Lush · 11-14-2009, 04:43 PM

Ohhh. Honeybourne is just too cool a last name.

***Mister Underhill*** · 11-15-2009, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

At least he didn't take Hunter Thompson's line and threaten to cut off her hands.

Yes, that note of Thompson's was rather, uh, sharp. Although it occurs to me that the idea of de-handing is not entirely un-Tolkienesque... see Maedhros.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lush

Ohhh. Honeybourne is just too cool a last name.

Yeah, you hear that name and it seems James Bond can't be far off.

Lalaith · 11-15-2009, 03:55 AM

Love this site, thank you.
What I wonder is what Ms Honeybourne wrote to elicit such a sweet and enthusiastic response from the Professor. He never struck me as a gusher, so if he says that it was one of the most warming and comforting letters he had received, he must have meant it.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 03-08-2010, 09:14 AM

Confound you, Underhill! I was going to paint this morning!

11-14-2009, 02:20 AM	#1
*Mister Underhill* Dread Horseman Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Behind you! Posts: 2,743	Dear Miss Honeybourne I recently discovered a wonderful new blog called "Letters of Note" which showcases interesting pieces of correspondence. A thank-you letter from Tolkien to a fan was posted there today: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/11...htful-one.html Though hardly Tolkien's most intriguing letter, it is a delightfully warm and generous response to a fan, and it's so characteristic of Tolkien that even in such a short note he spends the better part of one page (of two) speculating on the origin of Miss Honeybourne's name. Be prepared to lose an hour perusing the site...

11-14-2009, 07:46 AM	#2
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	Interesting site indeed. It doesn't seem T. ever got around to naming something in the Shire after her. At least he didn't take Hunter Thompson's line and threaten to cut off her hands. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

11-14-2009, 09:20 AM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,996	A sweet find, Mister Underhill. Thanks for the link. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

11-14-2009, 04:43 PM	#4
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	Ohhh. Honeybourne is just too cool a last name. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

11-15-2009, 03:55 AM	#6
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Love this site, thank you. What I wonder is what Ms Honeybourne wrote to elicit such a sweet and enthusiastic response from the Professor. He never struck me as a gusher, so if he says that it was one of the most warming and comforting letters he had received, he must have meant it. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-08-2010, 09:14 AM	#7
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	Confound you, Underhill! I was going to paint this morning! __________________ peace