Christopher Tolkien

[Mithalwen]

I can only second William's comments (though from a less informed position). It has always baffled me that people who presumably admire JRRT, could think him so blinded in judgement that they believe that the child he had such a close relationship with was a monster.

I am so grateful that he spent so much of his life on HoME and personally I enjoy his editorial and dry humour that emerges from time to time. I suspect that a lot of Christopher's critics are basically jealous of the relationship and the access to documents - I mean we all think we are great Tolkien scholars don't we ...

There is a thread elsewhere that links to the activities of the Tolkien Trust. Christopher and other family members (eg Priscilla and Michael's daughter Joan ) are trustees and millions of pounds have been distributed with the minimum of fuss to a lot of humanitarian and educational causes. This is not publicised by the family but if you look at the individual charity websites the Trust is often the major donor. Hardly the mark of a family that is in general self serving.

Simon clearly "has issues" as the Americans would say... not uncommon after family breakdown and it is a shame that it has blighted his father to this extent.

Adam had the great courtesy to send a personal response to a comment I made on The Children of Hurin, which was unexpected but delightful. On the evidence of his interviews, I think he will be a "safe pair of hands" among the younger generation.