Book description
Repackaged to feature Tolkien's own painting of the Tree of Amalion,
this collection includes his famous essay, 'On Fairy-stories' and the
story that exemplifies this, 'Leaf by Niggle', together with the poem
'Mythopoeia' and the verse drama, 'The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth', which
tells of the events following the disastrous Battle of Maldon.
Fairy-stories are not just for children, as anyone who has read Tolkien
will know. In his essay On Fairy-Stories, Tolkien discusses the nature
of fairy-tales and fantasy and rescues the genre from those who would
relegate it to juvenilia. The haunting short story, Leaf by Niggle,
recounts the story of the artist, Niggle, who has 'a long journey to
make' and is seen as an allegory of Tolkien's life.
The poem Mythopoeia relates an argument between two unforgettable
characters as they discuss the making of myths. Lastly, and published
for the very first time, we are treated to the translation of Tolkien's
account of the Battle of Maldon, known as The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth.
Tree and Leaf is an eclectic, amusing, provocative and entertaining
collection of works which reveals the diversity of J. R.R. Tolkien's
imagination, the depth of his knowledge of English history, and the
breadth of his talent as a creator of fantastic fiction. 'A haunting
and successful demonstration of the qualities of faerie'
New York Times
'The book must be read… it goes far to explain the nature of his art
and justify his success'
The Cambridge Review
'While springing from deep-rooted convictions, his art has imaginative
magic of a very rare quality'
Birmingham Post J R R Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished
academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of
the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books
have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold many millions
of copies world wide.
