Letters from Father Christmas
By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, Christian Rodska
Release date: 10-04-05
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Genre: Children’s Folk Tales, Fairy Tale Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
Publisher's Summary
Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply?
Every year, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien would write to Father Christmas, and the letters they received told wonderful stories of his adventures at the North Pole.
These humorous tales are brought to life by Derek Jacobi as Father Christmas, John Moffatt as Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska as Ilbereth the Elf, complete with specially composed music.
©1997, 200 4 (P)1997 HarperCollins UK
Review:
J.R.R. Tolkein, the famous author of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy, among other books, played Father Christmas to his own children. He exchanged letters with them as they grew from 1920 to 1943. The first letter was to the eldest son, John, when he was three. The letters continued for the other three children until the youngest, Priscilla, reaches her teen years.
In the early letters Father Christmas describes himself and his home at the North Pole. He even provides a drawing in his letter written in cursive with his shaky hand, considering his advanced age. Initially Father Christmas only shares about his big helper, Polar Bear. But as time goes by he adds comments from his helpful Elf, Ilbereth. Through the years Father Christmas tells of the joy of the helpers but tells the tales of the wars with the Goblins. In the closing years there are mentions of the hardships of WWII.
The idea of sharing the letters is charming and Tolkein’s imagination shows through the descriptive characters and engaging battles. Although I enjoyed this work, I think listening misses the charming letters and drawings that are shared in the printed book. I would recommend this story for Christmas entertainment to share with children.
Audio Notes: The audio is performed by Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, and Christian Rodska who present the voices of Father Christmas, Polar Bear and Ilbereth. The voices and interaction are fun. I enjoyed listening to the letters but I think this would be best if listened with the print images available.
Source: May 2019 Sale at Audible; $3.09. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.
