BOOK BRIEF

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

J.R.R. Tolkien
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The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1991

Book Brief

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J.R.R. Tolkien

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1991
Book Details
Pages

75

Format

Short Story • Fiction

Setting

Middle-earth • Fantasy World

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

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Super Short Summary

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a collection of poetry by J.R.R. Tolkien. It includes sixteen poems, among which "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" and "Bombadil Goes Boating" feature the character Tom Bombadil. The poems explore themes of fantasy and folklore within Tolkien's Middle-earth, offering readers insight into its rich landscapes and mystical inhabitants.

Fantastical

Playful

Humorous

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.3

11,870 ratings

66%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is often praised for its charming and whimsical poems that expand on Tolkien's Middle-earth. Readers appreciate the lyrical language and imaginative storytelling. However, some critique its inconsistency in tone and limited appeal outside Tolkien enthusiasts. Overall, it offers delightful insights into Middle-earth lore, despite its niche appeal.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Adventures of Tom Bombadil?

A reader enchanted by Tolkien's Middle-earth, who appreciates poetic storytelling and fantasy lore, would enjoy The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Fans of Lewis's The Magician's Nephew and Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland will find similar whimsy and imaginative landscapes.

4.3

11,870 ratings

66%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil was published in 1962 and is a collection of poems by J.R.R. Tolkien, some of which were originally published in academic journals and magazines in the early 1930s.

The book features poems that are supposedly from the Red Book of Westmarch, the fictional book that contains the narratives of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

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Although Tom Bombadil is a character from The Lord of the Rings, the poems in this collection explore various themes and characters from Tolkien's broader mythological world, offering readers a deeper glimpse into Middle-earth beyond the main narrative.

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Book Details
Pages

75

Format

Short Story • Fiction

Setting

Middle-earth • Fantasy World

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

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