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breakfastgrey's review against another edition
4.0
My rating for this one is edition specific. The letters themselves are cute, but they’re not really meant to be more than a dad doing something special for his kids each Christmas. Reading them back to back can be ultra repetitive. They’re still quite sweet, though. What really makes them truly special is the care Tolkien takes in the physical presentation of the letters, something this edition highlights beautifully. The penmanship, illumination, and artwork are all absolutely gorgeous. Things do get a bit sad for parents over the course of this as you watch the children age out of the letters. Also, the WWII years are fascinating from a historical standpoint. I enjoyed reading this with my kids, just make sure you get a really nice edition if you’re interested.
greaydean's review against another edition
4.0
Quite delightful. The wonder that he created for his children. Reminds me to hold fast to the wonder of the simple things. My absurd example for today: a pinwheel.
No, it is not a wonderfully cohesive long story, but rather a testimony to consistency.
Yes, I could have been a better parent and cultivated more wonder and presence in my own children's lives. But I am inspired.
No, it is not a wonderfully cohesive long story, but rather a testimony to consistency.
Yes, I could have been a better parent and cultivated more wonder and presence in my own children's lives. But I am inspired.
forgottentaxes's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
harvestwitch's review against another edition
5.0
This was so cute and whimsical. I’d like to do something like this for my kids one day.
audioandereadergrrly's review against another edition
5.0
Written over the course of 20 years, these letters are from Tolkien to his children writing as Father Christmas. I listened to the audiobook. The listener gets glimpses of Tolkien’s imagination with the other characters such as Polar Bear and the mischief he causes. I loved the stories of the goblin wars. Tolkien would also tie in real-world events, such as the depression and WWII. My only complaint about the audiobook was that sometimes the Christmas music was repetitive and the volume of the music would seem too loud at times.
jdk_andes's review against another edition
4.0
This is a relatively short read, but it is filled with fun and warmth. Like all good Christmas stories, it is about finding hope and joy even in dark times. Add to that some great illustrations and a pinch of Tolkien's fantasy worldbuilding, and you have a truly underrated classic. Tolkien's version of Father Christmas and the North Pole are unique and charming, and worth a read.
ayami's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 A collection of hand-written letters Tolkien wrote to his children as Father Christmas. You can see he must have had a lot of fun thinking up stories from the North Pole. The letters are sprinkled with beautiful pictures, made up runes and Elvish scribbles. A cute and original collection.