On this day in 1973, J.R.R. Tolkien left the mortal world.
I have written many posts about Tolkien’s impact in literature, and everyone today will undoubtedly be mentioning this particular event in his life, just as I am doing right now.
But as the great British comedian, Eddie Izzard, once said: “We always mourn the death rather than celebrating the life. That’s a different attitude.”
So I thought to myself: “Why not?”
And thus, in honour of the author, I’ve pulled out a copy of The Lord of the Rings from my bookshelf and plunged straight into the first chapter.
Thank you Tolkien. Thank you life.
A Tolkienist's Perspective 
J. R. R. Tolkien will be missed. But I wonder if they’ll get Tolkien his own movie, like Steve Jobs did.
There’s two actually in development 🙂 (even thought they’ve been announcing a biography several years, at least one project seems to be in pre-production at the moment. Casting is also underway).
I’m not sure I want to see what this movie industry will do for JRR.
J.R.R. Tolkien was a great author and will always be remembered; his books are a blessing to every book shelf they sit upon and every reader who is plunged into Middle Earth and the great story that took place (yes, I prefer to speak of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings as if they actually happened… and yes, I think I am completely sane) 😀
Have you ever noticed that 1973, when flipped around, is 3791; just like “Three rings for the Elven kings under the sky, seven for the Dwarf lords in their halls of stone, nine for mortal men doomed to die, one for the Dark Lord on his dark throne.”? I think that’s pretty amazing. The year Tolkien died has the same exact numbers as his poem telling of the Rings of Power; when flipped backwards.
Sorry this comment is so long. But in summary, Tolkien and all his literature will always hold a special place in my heart. ❤
Oh yes the riddle of the inverted numbers 😀
Its very interesting.
Tolkien will be long remembered, and his books will always be in a special place deep in my heart. Thank you for writing this post. 🙂
I hope I have time to read this for the fourteenth time before I pass.
Thank you, Tolkien, indeed. He breathed new life into fantasy and mythology. Just about very fantasy author today owes a debt of gratitude to Tolkien.