Death of Christopher Tolkien - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 01-16-2020, 05:15 PM

Lighting a candle for Christopher Tolkien. I am so very sad to hear the news. Tolkien’s work has been such a huge part of my life that I can scarce imagine how it might have been without it - to misquote a wise Downer’s signature, it would have been different, it could not have been better. I will be ever grateful for him giving us access to so much more of Middle earth.

William Cloud Hicklin · 01-16-2020, 05:49 PM

“Therefore in this world I cannot think of a reason
Why my soul does not blacken when I seriously consider
All the warriors, tested at war,
How they suddenly sank to the floor,
The brave kinsmen. But in this world
Every day falls to dust.
...

“Where now the horse? Where now the rider?
Where now the giver of gifts?
Where now the wine-hall? Where now the sounds of joy?
Ea-la bright beaker! Ea-la byrnied warrior!
Ea-la the chief's majesty! How those moments went,
Grayed in the night as if they never were!"

mhagain · 01-16-2020, 06:07 PM

I'm very upset about this, I'm crying right now. CJRT was the perfect son to his father, and in many ways he was just as important as his father. He was the co-creator, he was the custodian, and he was very humble about it but he was a giant. RIP.

Morthoron · 01-16-2020, 06:43 PM

I would say that no single executor of a literary estate/archive has been as faithful and as zealous in protecting an author's work as Christopher Tolkien. What he has accomplished in over 40 years of stewardship is nothing short of remarkable. He will be sorely missed.

Galadriel55 · 01-16-2020, 07:23 PM

A salute to Christopher Tolkien. Thank you for The Silmarillion, COH, UT, and so many other works without which my life - and the legendarium - would not be the same. Despite many controversies and tussles over the years, you were always a faithful guardian of your father's work. You always stood by the truth and stood by your father's wishes, and they meant more to you than the pressure of economics and popular culture. We will miss you sorely.

Galin · 01-16-2020, 08:31 PM

I don't have the adequate words to express my gratitude to Christopher Tolkien for his work.

I guess a simple, but very heartfelt (and with much respect), thank you, will have to do.

Pervinca Took · 01-17-2020, 04:47 AM

Can't add much more to what has already been said, other than that I agree and am eternally grateful for all Christopher Tolkien did. A meticulous guardian and editor and a man of huge integrity.

01-16-2020, 05:15 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Lighting a candle for Christopher Tolkien. I am so very sad to hear the news. Tolkien’s work has been such a huge part of my life that I can scarce imagine how it might have been without it - to misquote a wise Downer’s signature, it would have been different, it could not have been better. I will be ever grateful for him giving us access to so much more of Middle earth. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-16-2020, 05:49 PM	#2
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	“Therefore in this world I cannot think of a reason Why my soul does not blacken when I seriously consider All the warriors, tested at war, How they suddenly sank to the floor, The brave kinsmen. But in this world Every day falls to dust. ... “Where now the horse? Where now the rider? Where now the giver of gifts? Where now the wine-hall? Where now the sounds of joy? Ea-la bright beaker! Ea-la byrnied warrior! Ea-la the chief's majesty! How those moments went, Grayed in the night as if they never were!" __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

01-16-2020, 06:07 PM	#3
mhagain Wight Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The best seat in the Golden Perch Posts: 219	I'm very upset about this, I'm crying right now. CJRT was the perfect son to his father, and in many ways he was just as important as his father. He was the co-creator, he was the custodian, and he was very humble about it but he was a giant. RIP. __________________ Then one appeared among us, in our own form visible, but greater and more beautiful; and he said that he had come out of pity.

01-16-2020, 06:43 PM	#4
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	I would say that no single executor of a literary estate/archive has been as faithful and as zealous in protecting an author's work as Christopher Tolkien. What he has accomplished in over 40 years of stewardship is nothing short of remarkable. He will be sorely missed. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

01-16-2020, 07:23 PM	#5
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,517	A salute to Christopher Tolkien. Thank you for The Silmarillion, COH, UT, and so many other works without which my life - and the legendarium - would not be the same. Despite many controversies and tussles over the years, you were always a faithful guardian of your father's work. You always stood by the truth and stood by your father's wishes, and they meant more to you than the pressure of economics and popular culture. We will miss you sorely. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

01-16-2020, 08:31 PM	#6
Galin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,036	I don't have the adequate words to express my gratitude to Christopher Tolkien for his work. I guess a simple, but very heartfelt (and with much respect), thank you, will have to do.

01-17-2020, 04:47 AM	#7
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	Can't add much more to what has already been said, other than that I agree and am eternally grateful for all Christopher Tolkien did. A meticulous guardian and editor and a man of huge integrity. __________________ "Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know. Tell of adventures strange and rare; never to change, ever to share! Stories we tell will cast their spell, now and for always."