1025 character limit countermeasure

[evereve]

https://mastodon.me.uk/@TenebrisNox/116523664134013855

I have long turned my head. That French interview is an important piece of history, and I have it archived. Bless Christopher, for he is truly as a maiar, sent to our realm to uphold and enhance his father's legacy. Without him, the legacy of his father's work would be in a much reduced form today. Something I don't hear a lot of appreciation for is the deep and unending love Christopher had for his father. Every single word published after his father's death is imbued with that love, every book a work of devotion, by a man who misses his father and stays close with him by poring over what he left behind. And not only that, but also selflessly sharing this most intimate relationship with the world. From the very beginning when his father told stories, Christopher was truly the first fan, and he really took his father's subcreation to heart as a living world and not just a flight of fancy. He and his father were on the same wavelength and actually complimented one another. During the composition of the book, Tolkien used plenty of input from Christopher.

We take these books selfishly, as if they were published for our pleasure. The fact that we are able to do so, where Christopher can be so selflessly out of the way, is a real testament to his integrity and the value of what he did for his father and the literary world.

 

As for the versions in our minds: We all see something different when we read the book, all equally valid. But one should never be forced into the tyranny of another's vision. Often fan art of the tales betrays my own mental constructs. I can respect and admire, naturally. There are wonderful pieces of art which really bring the world to life. But more often than not, I must politely reject. But there are many wonderful artists, especially the lesser-known. The most famous artist who seems to understand Tolkien best is Ted Nasmith, because as the lads in the episode pointed out: The landscape itself is a character in the book. It occurs to me that the land could even be construed as the tenth member of the fellowship. The most ancient member, crafted even before the years of the trees, by The Powers in their blind and pure act of creation. The land should be included in the long list of the ents,

 

Middle-earth,

to men of little mirth.

To elves more, 

the ones who leave that shore,

but only ents have glimpsed it's worth.