The Tolkien Family Album

by John Francis R. Tolkien, Priscilla Tolkien

This biography of Tolkien looks at the family details of the author's life. It tells of his love affair with Edith Bratt, and the dramatic circumstances of their relationship and eventual marriage; of Tolkien's experiences in World War I; of the birth of his children; his academic career, and of the writing of the books that made him a household name all over the world. The book also takes a look at the often strange fan mail that he received, and the honours bestowed upon him before and after his death.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

90 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

John Francis Reuel Tolkien (1917–2003) was the eldest son of J.R.R. Tolkien. He was born in Cheltenham on 16 November 1917. He was educated at the Dragon School, Oxford and The Oratory School in Caversham, Berkshire where in his final year he decided to become a priest. On the advice of the Archbishop he decided to go to college to study English and joined Exeter College, Oxford from where he received his B.A. degree in 1939. In November 1939, he went to English College, Rome to train as a priest. Due to the outbreak of World War II, the college was moved to Stonyhurst in Lancashire where John trained as a priest during the war. He was ordained as a priest at St John and Augustine Church in North Oxford. His first position was as a curate from 1946 to 1950 at the St Mary and St Benedict Church in Coventry where he taught weekly classes to 60 children and organized the building of church schools. From 1950 to 1957 he was a curate at the English Martyrs Church in Sparkhill, Birmingham. Thereafter he moved to North Staffordshire, where he was the chaplain of University College of North Staffordshire and at two grammar schools, St Joseph's College, Trent Vale and St Dominic’s High School, Hartshill. He was parish priest at Knutton Roman Catholic Church from 1957 to 1966. In 1966, he became the parish priest at the Church of Our Lady of the Angels and St Peter in Chains, Stoke-on-Trent. He held the position till 1987 and there oversaw the building of a new school. He was chairman of governors at Bishop Right School, chaplain to the North Staffordshire Catholic Teachers Association and area chaplain to the Young Christian Students. He moved back to Oxford in 1987, settling in Eynsham where he was the parish priest at St. Peter's Catholic Church till his retirement in 1994. Father Tolkien also served in parishes in Oxford, Birmingham, and Warwickshire.

In 1987, he and his sister Priscilla Tolkien began identifying the large collection of family photographs. In 1992, they released a book titled The Tolkien Family Album containing photographs and memories of the Tolkien family and giving an account of their father's life to celebrate the centenary birth anniversary of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Reviews

[Isabella Leake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of Tolkien family memorabilia coupled with some priceless recollections from his children, though indifferently designed and only adequately written.

The fact that it's written by two of the Tolkien children is both an advantage (they mention things that professional writers wouldn't) and a drawback (they don't have the finesse of professional writers). The narrative provides a good overview of the Tolkiens' lives and does an especially good job explaining the whys behind their many moves. I was particularly happy to find in this book the biographical details about Edith that I felt were so lacking in the biography I just read, Tolkien and the Great War. It was moving to see samples of her and Mabel Tolkien's writing—not cursive but stylized print that reminded me of their contemporary Edith Holden's. I also enjoyed reading about the art supplies, inks, and stationery that Tolkien kept in his study, Edith's aviary, and the chickens and vegetable garden that became mainstays in the household economy during WWII.

Perhaps the most moving aspect of the project is the vision it produces of Tolkien as a husband and father. I already thought of him as one of the great family men of history, but what better evidence than his children's recollections—their father home at mealtimes, carving out an academic career for himself, picking up extra work wherever he can, telling and writing them stories, faithfully corresponding with his sons in adulthood, vacationing with a collection of his daughter's stuffed bears—to confirm this impression.

[Marko Vasić · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite excellent companion with Carpenter's J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, although the very book is abundant with a plenty of private illustrations. Nevertheless, the organisation of this family album is very interesting, and the notes alongside the photos are quite illustrious.

[Norbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come spiega il titolo, è un album di foto della famiglia Tolkien, raccolte e commentate da John e Priscilla Tolkien (due dei figli di JRR).

Niente di spettacolare, ma è caruccio

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history and photographs alone make this book worth picking up for any serious Tolkien fan or anyone interested in Tolkien scholarship. The editing is rather messy, however, with sections being written by John and some sections being written by Priscilla - both sometimes using personal pronouns and with no indication of when it has switched writers. Additionally, it is a bit dry in the telling and speaks more of the facts of where an when they lived in a certain house rather than any true depth into Tolkien as a person. This is somewhat unsurprising, as he was a very private person (as was most of the family). I am thankful they took the time to compile these photographs into a book, however, as it gives some insight into his life.

[Angus Murchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quickly re-read in 1.5 hours to diminish the sense of loss after finishing Humphrey Carpenter’s excellent biography and “Letters”. This book gives some additional insight into the family life of JRRT and Edith - nothing startling or unexpected but absolute confirmation of how much they were loved by their children and the real fondness with which their children looked back on their childhoods and subsequent grown up relationships with their parents.

Possibly one for the most dedicated fans and one I’m very happy to have in my small collection.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful short book with adorable photographs. This book was quite clearly written with so much love by John and Priscilla.

[Michael Eklund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming with John and Priscilla telling about memories from Tolkiens family life. But I wanted more. It is a rather thin book.