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_ash0_'s review against another edition
2.0
This is basically a collection of poems on many things and not just on Tom Bombadil. There were two poems about Bombadil that I liked. Rest of them were not that great - mostly about man on the moon(whom I did not like even in Roverrandom story), one on Oilphaunts and some other random poems. I am not a poetry person and prefer prose to poetry so I didn't really like this collection much.
eli_ravioli97's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
julbel's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A wonderful collection of poems with lots of interesting insights on the evolution of Tolkien's work over time. The poems vary in style, but have a sense of magical whimsy that connects them. The echos of medieval styles bring a sense of age to the poems, reflecting the Red Book as being of a time long before our own. Tom Bombadil still remains a mystery, but his secrets are not meant to be known.
theedge's review against another edition
5.0
Anything by J.r.r. tolkien in my opinion is going to be amazing. This one isn't anything different. Love the flow of it, nice addition of making it poem like.
marmarci's review against another edition
3.0
No soy de leer poemas, porque no me llaman la atención. Pero sean poemas o no, no deja de sorprenderme la imaginación y el vastísimo mundo que creó Tolkien. Solo por ahondar más en la Tierra Media merecen la pena. Y sale Tom, que es un personaje peculiar y misterioso como él solo que me gustó mucho leer en El Señor de los Anillos.
elon's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure why I read this, as the poems/songs were my least favorite part of the Rings books, but I think the audio format helped, and this was quite enjoyable.
gijs's review against another edition
4.0
Tolkien created Tom Bombadil and inserted him 'as is' into the Lord of the Rings epic; the character instantly intrigues and makes you want to pick up the trilogy, again!:
"When Frodo asks Goldberry, ‘who is Tom Bombadil?’ she replies simply, ‘He is’ – he, who at that moment is tending the hobbits’ ponies and can be heard singing Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow; Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow. At this, Frodo looks at Goldberry ‘questioningly’, and she adds: ‘He is, as you have seen him. He is the Master of wood, water, and hill.’ Later, when Frodo asks Tom himself, ‘Who are you, Master?’ the reply is: ‘Don’t you know my name yet? That’s the only answer.’"
"One reader of The Lord of the Rings, Peter Hastings, felt that Goldberry’s ‘He is’ implied that Tom Bombadil is God. Tolkien disagreed: ‘Goldberry and Tom are referring to the mystery of names. … Frodo has asked not “what is Tom Bombadil” but “Who is he”. We and he no doubt often laxly confuse the questions. Goldberry gives what I think is the correct answer. We need not go into the sublimities of “I am that am” [God’s words to Moses in Exodus 3:14] – which is quite different from he is. She adds as a concession a statement of part of the “what”’ (Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien (1981), pp."
"When Frodo asks Goldberry, ‘who is Tom Bombadil?’ she replies simply, ‘He is’ – he, who at that moment is tending the hobbits’ ponies and can be heard singing Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow; Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow. At this, Frodo looks at Goldberry ‘questioningly’, and she adds: ‘He is, as you have seen him. He is the Master of wood, water, and hill.’ Later, when Frodo asks Tom himself, ‘Who are you, Master?’ the reply is: ‘Don’t you know my name yet? That’s the only answer.’"
"One reader of The Lord of the Rings, Peter Hastings, felt that Goldberry’s ‘He is’ implied that Tom Bombadil is God. Tolkien disagreed: ‘Goldberry and Tom are referring to the mystery of names. … Frodo has asked not “what is Tom Bombadil” but “Who is he”. We and he no doubt often laxly confuse the questions. Goldberry gives what I think is the correct answer. We need not go into the sublimities of “I am that am” [God’s words to Moses in Exodus 3:14] – which is quite different from he is. She adds as a concession a statement of part of the “what”’ (Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien (1981), pp."