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There's a Hole in my Bucket: A Journey of Two Brothers
An inspirational, life-affirming memoir from the great-grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Having grown up on their great-grandfather’s stories, Royd Tolkien and his brother, Mike, have always enjoyed adventures. So when Mike is diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, the brothers decide to use the time they have left to tick off as much as possible from Mike’s bucket list, from remote camping in Norway to travelling through Royd’s beloved New Zealand.
Yet, when Royd loses Mike, he discovers his brother had been writing another kind of bucket list: fifty things he wanted Royd to do after his death. His first task? Mike wants his mild-mannered brother to trip up on his way to the lectern to deliver his eulogy. What follows is a set of emotionally charged tests that will push Royd firmly out of his comfort zone.
This is the story of Royd’s journey to accomplish a challenging, humorous, and often heart-breaking list of unknown tasks that chart the brothers’ lives from childhood to adulthood. But above all, it is a story of the sibling bond, of grief—and of treasuring every moment.
Having grown up on their great-grandfather’s stories, Royd Tolkien and his brother, Mike, have always enjoyed adventures. So when Mike is diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, the brothers decide to use the time they have left to tick off as much as possible from Mike’s bucket list, from remote camping in Norway to travelling through Royd’s beloved New Zealand.
Yet, when Royd loses Mike, he discovers his brother had been writing another kind of bucket list: fifty things he wanted Royd to do after his death. His first task? Mike wants his mild-mannered brother to trip up on his way to the lectern to deliver his eulogy. What follows is a set of emotionally charged tests that will push Royd firmly out of his comfort zone.
This is the story of Royd’s journey to accomplish a challenging, humorous, and often heart-breaking list of unknown tasks that chart the brothers’ lives from childhood to adulthood. But above all, it is a story of the sibling bond, of grief—and of treasuring every moment.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 480 reviews
June 30, 2022
Touching
This is the story of two brothers, great grandsons of J.R.R. Tolkien. One is diagnosed with ALS and this is the record of how they coped with the disease. It is very moving and familiar to anyone who has dealt with similar events. Love never leaves us.
This is the story of two brothers, great grandsons of J.R.R. Tolkien. One is diagnosed with ALS and this is the record of how they coped with the disease. It is very moving and familiar to anyone who has dealt with similar events. Love never leaves us.
July 11, 2021
Let's just pop off to New Zealand....
It's hard to know what to say about this book. On the one hand, it's a compelling memoir of a person whose younger brother died of MND (ALS, for us Americans).
On the other hand, it's a disturbingly naive record of a life of privilege. The description of the brothers' childhood suggests that they are very ordinary people, and certainly not wealthy. But ordinary people typically can't afford the kind of adventure trips that were common in the lives of these brothers, even before the bucket list became a funded documentary. And ordinary people typically can't afford to take months off from work to provide constant care to a dying brother. With barely any assistance from the British government (I thought the UK had a wonderful welfare and health care system, but you wouldn't know it from this book).
Another thing that bothered me was that--while it's obvious that the putative author is trying to avoid airing family laundry, and I can respect that--the absence of the mothers of these two brothers' sons is absolutely glaring. One almost gets the impression that the boys leaped straight from their fathers' heads into their nappies.
I said "putative" in that last paragraph for a reason: the person who appears to have actually written the book was the oft-derided cameraman. Yeah, I get why it was too hard for Royd Tolkien write this story himself. But a first-person memoir? A story that, with every word, claims to be the author's voice...but isn't?
But the thing that bothered me almost as much as the ghostwriting is the fact that Royd Tolkien is using the Tolkien name for publicity. I get WHY he's doing it: to draw attention to this horrible disease (although he doesn't go into any detail about research for a cure, which would logically be the point of drawing attention to it). But given that the book gives the impression that trading on the Tolkien name is something he's been doing for decades...it just left a bad taste in my mouth.
The depressing thing is that I genuinely feel bad for him, and for everyone else Mike left behind. Whenever I was able to sink into the story and forget that it wasn't actually written by the narrator, it was very moving. But then I'd remember....
It's hard to know what to say about this book. On the one hand, it's a compelling memoir of a person whose younger brother died of MND (ALS, for us Americans).
On the other hand, it's a disturbingly naive record of a life of privilege. The description of the brothers' childhood suggests that they are very ordinary people, and certainly not wealthy. But ordinary people typically can't afford the kind of adventure trips that were common in the lives of these brothers, even before the bucket list became a funded documentary. And ordinary people typically can't afford to take months off from work to provide constant care to a dying brother. With barely any assistance from the British government (I thought the UK had a wonderful welfare and health care system, but you wouldn't know it from this book).
Another thing that bothered me was that--while it's obvious that the putative author is trying to avoid airing family laundry, and I can respect that--the absence of the mothers of these two brothers' sons is absolutely glaring. One almost gets the impression that the boys leaped straight from their fathers' heads into their nappies.
I said "putative" in that last paragraph for a reason: the person who appears to have actually written the book was the oft-derided cameraman. Yeah, I get why it was too hard for Royd Tolkien write this story himself. But a first-person memoir? A story that, with every word, claims to be the author's voice...but isn't?
But the thing that bothered me almost as much as the ghostwriting is the fact that Royd Tolkien is using the Tolkien name for publicity. I get WHY he's doing it: to draw attention to this horrible disease (although he doesn't go into any detail about research for a cure, which would logically be the point of drawing attention to it). But given that the book gives the impression that trading on the Tolkien name is something he's been doing for decades...it just left a bad taste in my mouth.
The depressing thing is that I genuinely feel bad for him, and for everyone else Mike left behind. Whenever I was able to sink into the story and forget that it wasn't actually written by the narrator, it was very moving. But then I'd remember....
July 5, 2021
I always feel bad rating anyone’s life story below a 5. It isn’t a reflection on their life, but the writing. I loved reading about the beautiful bond and relationship between the author and his brother. It was clear how much love there was between them. I also chuckled out loud at some of the parts when he shared his inner dialogue before an extreme adventure. My issue came with the writing. It felt a little scattered and really amateurish. I know he isn’t a professional writer, but he did have one working with him so I thought maybe there’d be more imagery and beauty in the words. It fell flat and like a high schooler wrote it. It was difficult to get through a lot of it solely due to the writing. It also really wasn’t that clear about timeline because it was jumping around so much or would suddenly just say “and now we’re in this new city”. Rated 2.5 rounded up, mostly just for their beautiful relationship. Can’t wait to see the documentary, which I’m sure I’ll love more.
July 2, 2021
Early on in this achingly beautiful story, Royd Tolkien proclaims, “I love hugs.” That bold, emotional statement is indicative of his open hearted storytelling in the pages of “There’s a Hole in My Bucket”.
Royd weaves multiple timelines together while telling the story of his brother’s valiant battle with Motor Neuron Disease, (ALS). He takes a detour from life to become Mike’s primary caregiver and this is their story.
Beginning with a terrifying bungee jump, Royd starts the story by sharing one of the 50 bucket list adventures left for him in Mike’s “will”. It’s thrilling and a grown up, Kiwi version of Huck & Tom. The antics of these brothers will bring laughs and smiles far more than tears.
Chapters are short, there’s 45 of them, like scenes in a movie. That makes sense since the not-so-ghost writer, Drew, is from that industry. He was a cameraman assigned to Royd. The three of them became good friends and he’s instrumental to telling this story and accomplishing the bucket list. We get to know Mike and Royd as young boys, teens and as young men while the story unfolds around the discovery of Mike’s illness and their daily battle to manage the healthcare system and still live a full, rich life.
Parts of this story are tough to read. Anyone who has had the privilege of going thru hospice with a loved one will recognize honesty on the pages. There’s far more joy and humor than pain and sadness and the overall spirit of this offering is uplifting.
There’s a few mentions of these brothers being the great grandsons of J. R. R. Tolkien and some “Lord of the Ring” movie notes but that’s definitely not a major factor this book. “There’s a Hole in My Bucket” is about the relationship between these two brothers; how they loved and cared for each in life and in death. It’s inspiring & sad, heartwarming & heartbreaking but above all, it’s about love; unconditional, messy, painful, rewarding and glorious love between two brothers📚
Royd weaves multiple timelines together while telling the story of his brother’s valiant battle with Motor Neuron Disease, (ALS). He takes a detour from life to become Mike’s primary caregiver and this is their story.
Beginning with a terrifying bungee jump, Royd starts the story by sharing one of the 50 bucket list adventures left for him in Mike’s “will”. It’s thrilling and a grown up, Kiwi version of Huck & Tom. The antics of these brothers will bring laughs and smiles far more than tears.
Chapters are short, there’s 45 of them, like scenes in a movie. That makes sense since the not-so-ghost writer, Drew, is from that industry. He was a cameraman assigned to Royd. The three of them became good friends and he’s instrumental to telling this story and accomplishing the bucket list. We get to know Mike and Royd as young boys, teens and as young men while the story unfolds around the discovery of Mike’s illness and their daily battle to manage the healthcare system and still live a full, rich life.
Parts of this story are tough to read. Anyone who has had the privilege of going thru hospice with a loved one will recognize honesty on the pages. There’s far more joy and humor than pain and sadness and the overall spirit of this offering is uplifting.
There’s a few mentions of these brothers being the great grandsons of J. R. R. Tolkien and some “Lord of the Ring” movie notes but that’s definitely not a major factor this book. “There’s a Hole in My Bucket” is about the relationship between these two brothers; how they loved and cared for each in life and in death. It’s inspiring & sad, heartwarming & heartbreaking but above all, it’s about love; unconditional, messy, painful, rewarding and glorious love between two brothers📚
September 20, 2021
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
-Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Imagine this: a beloved family member has died after a devastating illness. You are overcome with grief, yet you must somehow make your way to the front of the room to deliver the eulogy. Then it happens – you fall flat on your face. After a few moments, someone helps you to your feet, and after you somehow regain your composure, you stand at the podium. You look out at the concerned, grieving faces of family and friends. You hold up a placard that reads,
TRIP OVER.
This is the very first task that Royd Tolkien was directed to undertake (no pun intended) by his younger brother Mike, who had recently passed away just shy of his 40th birthday in 2015. Two years earlier, Mike was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, or ALS, as it is called in the U.S. There's a Hole in my Bucket: A Journey of Two Brothers is Royd’s account of his adventures, mainly in New Zealand, of living as Mike would have wished had he been alive and healthy. But the story really begins in Wales, where the brothers and their older sister were born and raised. Royd describes himself as the kind of fellow who’d probably be happy just drinking tea. Mike, on the other hand, was an adventurer who would try just about anything – hence, the feats he challenges his brother to accomplish in his memory, 50 of them! They include things like dressing up like Gandalf on a plane and telling fellow passengers, “You shall not pass!” and many thrill/fear-inducing ones like bungee jumping and the like. Some reflect Mike’s sweet, very gregarious side that earned him many friends; one such challenge required Royd to perform random acts of kindness. How does one do that when it is mandated? It’s not easy. Oh, yes, I should tell you that Royd and Mike are great-great grandsons of author J.R.R. Tolkien.
As Royd partakes of each task over a period of six months, his emotions are all over the place, quite understandably. He misses his brother terribly. He recalls many of the things they did together, things his brother said to him, how he teased him, smirked at him, dared him to try new things. As he went to locations his brother had never gone, he just knew that Mike would have loved them. He shed many tears, laughed, renewed friendships, and made new ones. All of this was filmed by a man named Drew ¬¬Cullingham, and the two became good friends, especially since Drew also had to do many of the tasks in order to film Royd.
This is much more than an adventure story, of course. It is also a recounting of, and reflection on Mike’s life and death. Royd recalls the onset of the disease and how it progressed. In the final months, he, his dad and sister, and Mike’s girlfriend and son were all desperately caring for him as he grew weaker and weaker. Through it all, he maintained his humor and spirit, even though he could barely move or communicate.
“But unless you’re faced with it, you don’t imagine yourself having to care for your brother, or any loved one. You don’t consider what it involves. You can’t train for it. You can’t prepare yourself. But when it happens, you step up. Because it’s important. Because that’s what you do.”
The brothers had a very close relationship, and during Mike’s illness, their bond grew even closer. That intimacy rubbed off, as the entire family came to appreciate one another and value the time they had with one another. It is painful to read about Mike’s “Lou Gehrig’s” disease, the decline of this vibrant, life-loving human being. It’s painful to read about the grief of his brother and loved ones. But there is also so much joy and laughter in this book that it is a journey well worth taking. I found a link that summarizes Royd’s project; it includes a few pictures from his bucket list:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
In his afterword, Royd Tolkien writes, “The wind is silent and so we reflect, the earth turns, yet we are still, our bodies may weaken but our minds can find solace. Just be mindful and enjoy the moment. We are energy, we are love, we are one.”
This book was a tremendous find on Amazon's First Reads!
5 stars
-Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Imagine this: a beloved family member has died after a devastating illness. You are overcome with grief, yet you must somehow make your way to the front of the room to deliver the eulogy. Then it happens – you fall flat on your face. After a few moments, someone helps you to your feet, and after you somehow regain your composure, you stand at the podium. You look out at the concerned, grieving faces of family and friends. You hold up a placard that reads,
TRIP OVER.
This is the very first task that Royd Tolkien was directed to undertake (no pun intended) by his younger brother Mike, who had recently passed away just shy of his 40th birthday in 2015. Two years earlier, Mike was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, or ALS, as it is called in the U.S. There's a Hole in my Bucket: A Journey of Two Brothers is Royd’s account of his adventures, mainly in New Zealand, of living as Mike would have wished had he been alive and healthy. But the story really begins in Wales, where the brothers and their older sister were born and raised. Royd describes himself as the kind of fellow who’d probably be happy just drinking tea. Mike, on the other hand, was an adventurer who would try just about anything – hence, the feats he challenges his brother to accomplish in his memory, 50 of them! They include things like dressing up like Gandalf on a plane and telling fellow passengers, “You shall not pass!” and many thrill/fear-inducing ones like bungee jumping and the like. Some reflect Mike’s sweet, very gregarious side that earned him many friends; one such challenge required Royd to perform random acts of kindness. How does one do that when it is mandated? It’s not easy. Oh, yes, I should tell you that Royd and Mike are great-great grandsons of author J.R.R. Tolkien.
As Royd partakes of each task over a period of six months, his emotions are all over the place, quite understandably. He misses his brother terribly. He recalls many of the things they did together, things his brother said to him, how he teased him, smirked at him, dared him to try new things. As he went to locations his brother had never gone, he just knew that Mike would have loved them. He shed many tears, laughed, renewed friendships, and made new ones. All of this was filmed by a man named Drew ¬¬Cullingham, and the two became good friends, especially since Drew also had to do many of the tasks in order to film Royd.
This is much more than an adventure story, of course. It is also a recounting of, and reflection on Mike’s life and death. Royd recalls the onset of the disease and how it progressed. In the final months, he, his dad and sister, and Mike’s girlfriend and son were all desperately caring for him as he grew weaker and weaker. Through it all, he maintained his humor and spirit, even though he could barely move or communicate.
“But unless you’re faced with it, you don’t imagine yourself having to care for your brother, or any loved one. You don’t consider what it involves. You can’t train for it. You can’t prepare yourself. But when it happens, you step up. Because it’s important. Because that’s what you do.”
The brothers had a very close relationship, and during Mike’s illness, their bond grew even closer. That intimacy rubbed off, as the entire family came to appreciate one another and value the time they had with one another. It is painful to read about Mike’s “Lou Gehrig’s” disease, the decline of this vibrant, life-loving human being. It’s painful to read about the grief of his brother and loved ones. But there is also so much joy and laughter in this book that it is a journey well worth taking. I found a link that summarizes Royd’s project; it includes a few pictures from his bucket list:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
In his afterword, Royd Tolkien writes, “The wind is silent and so we reflect, the earth turns, yet we are still, our bodies may weaken but our minds can find solace. Just be mindful and enjoy the moment. We are energy, we are love, we are one.”
This book was a tremendous find on Amazon's First Reads!
5 stars
November 26, 2021
It feels unkind and ungracious to criticize a book which has arisen out of one man’s deep grief at the loss of his much-loved brother, but I really didn’t enjoy this memoir nor did I agree with its basic premise. When Mike Tolkien died from MND he left a bucket list for his brother Royd, tasking him to carry out a series of adventures, things that he himself would never now be able to do. The majority of these seemed to me to be adolescent adrenaline rushes which became tedious and repetitious in the telling and essentially pointless. I couldn’t help thinking that a bucket list of worthwhile rather than self-indulgent tasks would have been so much more of a tribute – perhaps something of benefit to the wider community. I applaud the book for highlighting the disease and describing how it destroys people, but objected to the sub-text that seemed to vilify the health practitioners whose advice and help Royd and his family consistently rejected, thus prolonging Mike’s life to the detriment of his dignity. This made me very uncomfortable and seemed to reflect some sort of weird self-gratification on the part of Royd himself, rather than being for Mike’s benefit. I also felt that Royd Tolkien capitalised on his great-grandfather’s name, and as it turns out he didn’t even write the book himself. His cameraman did. I only hope that Royd Tolkien found solace and healing in the compilation of the memoir and that by completing the bucket list he did indeed find comfort.
August 7, 2021
I really wanted to like this book but by the time I was less than halfway through I was bored. Really really bored.
November 10, 2022
Grieving of the rich and famous. That’s how I wanted to write this off. And as one too many jackass-inspired stunts were dreaded, detailed, and dispatched, I nearly succeeded. But the author is a digital immigrant like me. He’ll say adorably 50-something things like, “I mean, I feel like my hands are weaker now than they were. I’m pretty sure I’ve got arthritis in my thumbs from excessive Candy Crush playing.” Right?! His childhood memories made me smile, especially told in that a lovely British manner he has. And despite boyish prankery, he’s possessed of a heart that has faced profound loss. So. Guess I’m a fool for a man who knows how to care for people. So, yeah, didn’t love this. But I don’t mind having read it. And I still refuse to watch reality TV … except in the most selective of cases. Ok? Ok.
July 14, 2021
Not your grandfather!!
Your grandfather Tolkien was an amazing creative author. Sadly you did not inherit that talent.
Also sad that you found it necessary to use profanity do very often. There was certainly not a need for that. I don't recall ever reading a single word of profanity in your grandfather's many novels.
I didn't finish your book for that reason... I only read about 15% and gave up on you.
Your grandfather Tolkien was an amazing creative author. Sadly you did not inherit that talent.
Also sad that you found it necessary to use profanity do very often. There was certainly not a need for that. I don't recall ever reading a single word of profanity in your grandfather's many novels.
I didn't finish your book for that reason... I only read about 15% and gave up on you.
September 12, 2021
Did Not Finish. I was intrigued by the concept of this book. It could’ve been so interesting. It could’ve been thought-provoking, heartfelt, and beautiful, filled with rich descriptions and details. It was not any of those things. I love the writing of JRR Tolkien, an absolute genius. This was miles apart and generations separated from that genius, both figuratively and literally. What a disappointment.
July 21, 2021
I enjoyed the fact that these brothers had a wonderful relationship. However, I found the book overly sentimental. Also I kept wondering why Mike felt the need to make this crazy bucket list, and why Royd felt the need to disrupt his life to fulfill his brother's ridiculous wishes. They must have been quite privileged to be able to afford to do all these things. In addition, the writing was amateurish. I gave it three stars because I really got a good sense of what ALS is all about and its devastating effect on the body.
August 11, 2021
Engaging with this book was a slow and often dreaded task. In a way as I look back I think of the similarity to the disease. Royd's journey to fulfill his brother's bucket list describes so many places and opportunities to try new things. So if you are willing to challenge yourself, both physically and emotionally, read this loving and heartfelt story of love between brothers.
July 18, 2021
I LOVED this book! This well-written account of two brothers' journey through the heartbreak of motor neurone disease (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease to us Yanks) was by turns hilarious and poignant. Mike's bucket list for Royd to complete (which started with Royd being forced to trip prior to delivering the eulogy at Mike's memorial service, and got funnier from there) was extraordinarily well thought out, and made the story compelling; I couldn't wait to find out what was next on the list! Although many famous people are featured throughout (when Royd is tasked with becoming an Orc--full costume and makeup--and doing an audition, he ends up in front of "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson!), there was no sense of name-dropping because of the self-deprecating tone of the narrative. I can't wait to watch the documentary!
July 10, 2021
Can I give this book a hundred star rating?
This is the best book that I have read. in a long time.This summer I have been very disappointed in the books that I have read. . This book makes up for all of the disappointment. Thank you Royd for allowing us to meet you and Mike. There is so much depth in this book. In the middle of this all consuming tragedy and sadness, we see the goodness and joy. Blessings for you, your family, and all who loved Mike and Royd. Thank you again for writing such a wonderful book.
This is the best book that I have read. in a long time.This summer I have been very disappointed in the books that I have read. . This book makes up for all of the disappointment. Thank you Royd for allowing us to meet you and Mike. There is so much depth in this book. In the middle of this all consuming tragedy and sadness, we see the goodness and joy. Blessings for you, your family, and all who loved Mike and Royd. Thank you again for writing such a wonderful book.
July 6, 2021
I think there will be people who otherwise enjoy the book but cringe at the foul language. The bucket list of tasks and all of the travel involved took time to complete. Reading about it in one stretch makes all of the jumping from high places seem repetitive after a while. Complaints aside, I'm glad I read it.
December 30, 2021
I was excited to read a book by JRR Tolkien's great-grandson but was sad to realize, Royd Tolkien shares a name but not a faith with his great-grandfather. At least none shared in the book (and much of the language and drunkenness in the book tells a lot too).
All that said, this is a touching story of Mike and Royd Tolkien. Royd's care for his brother as Mike suffered with ALS (motor neuron disorder in this book) was tender. You can feel Royd's heartache at Mike's suffering and ultimate death, and thereafter in doing Mike's bucket list to raise awareness for the disease.
I didn't mind the ghostwriting and don't think I'd have noticed if Royd did not reveal that info. What I minded or struggled with was the assumption that we knew their family members and how they all fit together. Who was Story and Edan (I figured it out but could have used a tree in the start of the book). The same can be said of the places and geography in the book. Other readers may have been more familiar with the Wales and European locations but I was not at all (from US, not well-traveled). Those areas could have been cleaned up.
All that said, this is a touching story of Mike and Royd Tolkien. Royd's care for his brother as Mike suffered with ALS (motor neuron disorder in this book) was tender. You can feel Royd's heartache at Mike's suffering and ultimate death, and thereafter in doing Mike's bucket list to raise awareness for the disease.
I didn't mind the ghostwriting and don't think I'd have noticed if Royd did not reveal that info. What I minded or struggled with was the assumption that we knew their family members and how they all fit together. Who was Story and Edan (I figured it out but could have used a tree in the start of the book). The same can be said of the places and geography in the book. Other readers may have been more familiar with the Wales and European locations but I was not at all (from US, not well-traveled). Those areas could have been cleaned up.
March 17, 2022
Very well written and such a heartwarming story.
Two brothers Royd and Mike share a close bond while growing up, but when Royd's brother Mike is diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease that bond becomes even more tightly knitted when Royd steps up to care for his brother and to follow through on all of Mike's wishes.
This story not only brought tears to my eyes, but also quite a few laughs and excitement too! (Sky Jump and Sky Walk).
Two brothers Royd and Mike share a close bond while growing up, but when Royd's brother Mike is diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease that bond becomes even more tightly knitted when Royd steps up to care for his brother and to follow through on all of Mike's wishes.
This story not only brought tears to my eyes, but also quite a few laughs and excitement too! (Sky Jump and Sky Walk).
November 15, 2021
I loved this book. While it had sad moments, I literally laughed out loud over and over again.
November 21, 2021
2.5 stars!
I enjoyed the beginning and end. Somewhere in the middle I got annoyed by it all.
I enjoyed the beginning and end. Somewhere in the middle I got annoyed by it all.
July 12, 2021
There are a lot of possible reasons why I loved Royd Tolkien's "There's a Hole in my Bucket: A Journey of Two Brothers," a life-affirming memoir from a great-grandson of the iconic J.R.R. Tolkien.
There's the fact that I'm only a little over a week past the death of my mother, whose prolonged health issues were a journey I'd never recommend and yet time for which I shall always be grateful.
There's also, perhaps, the deaths of both my own younger brother in this past year after a year-long journey with pancreatic cancer.
It could be my own health challenges as a paraplegic/double amputee with spina bifida who very nearly passed, yet again, in late 2019.
Truthfully? It's simply because Tolkien is an exceptional writer and "There's a Hole in my Bucket" is easily one of my favorite books of 2021.
In "There's a Hole in my Bucket," Tolkien has crafted a heartfelt and humorous, heartbreaking and raw journey through some of life's more painful experiences. In this case, it's the journey that he experiences with his younger brother Mike before and after a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, here in the U.S.) left Mike with a life expectancy of 1-2 years and not much time to accomplish a life's worth of bucket list items.
Royd Tolkien sets out with his brother to accomplish those bucket list items, though eventually the disease would make travel impossible and Royd, along with several other family members, would become a caregiver to Mike as he fought to wring every possible moment out of life that he possibly could.
Motor Neurone Disease is, of course, a terminal illness and "There's a Hole in my Bucket" is at its most amazing as we experience the bond between these two brothers and we experience the transformation of a not so warm and fuzzy family that was transformed by this brief yet life-changing journey.
Then, there's what happens next.
The main thrust of "There's a Hole in my Bucket" is that unknown to Royd Mike had left behind a bucket list of 50 items he wanted Royd to experience. It's a journey, if you will, and one that was set from the beginning to be well documented as Mike does everything he can to ensure his legacy lives on through Royd.
The journey that unfolds in "There's a Hole in my Bucket" is a remarkable one. Tolkien, who had brief appearances in at least a couple of Peter Jackson's films and who has always had a strong tie to the Tolkien name, has written a book that made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel all warm and fuzzy, and inspired me even as I embark on my own grief journey due to recent losses.
There's a simple, straightforward honesty here that's transparent and vulnerable and simply wonderful. Yes, occasionally, the language gets a little raw but if you've ever seen someone living with ALS you'll understand where it all comes from and you'll know it's completely justified.
Royd Tolkien simply oozes love here - love for Mike, love for his son Story, love for Mike's son Edan, and love for many others. He even bonded greatly with Drew, his collaborator here and the cameraman throughout the adventure who, I laughed with familiarity, even has a child named Indiana.
Yet another way I bonded with this book.
Tolkien has an almost miraculous ability to weave together despair and gratitude. He vividly shares his frustrations with healthcare systems that fail, then care, then fail again, then care again. There are people we fall in love with here, for example a physiotherapist named Claire who goes above and beyond again and again, and as a paraplegic myself I also marveled at Mike's wife who stayed with him and present through to the every end.
In case you're wondering, I've started to cry twice just writing this review as I remember Tolkien's words, stories, and experiences.
We all need a Royd Tolkien.
"There's a Hole in my Bucket: A Journey of Two Brothers" is practically everything I want from a reading experience. Tolkien challenged my heart and my mind and immersed me in a world simultaneously heartbreaking and exhilarating. In this year when I've struggled to really truly connect with most books, Tolkien grabbed me and never let me go.
If there's a theme in "There's a Hole in my Bucket" it would likely be a reminder to truly treasure every moment and, indeed, I treasured every moment of Royd Tolkien's remarkable "There's a Hole in my Bucket: A Journey of Two Brothers."
There's the fact that I'm only a little over a week past the death of my mother, whose prolonged health issues were a journey I'd never recommend and yet time for which I shall always be grateful.
There's also, perhaps, the deaths of both my own younger brother in this past year after a year-long journey with pancreatic cancer.
It could be my own health challenges as a paraplegic/double amputee with spina bifida who very nearly passed, yet again, in late 2019.
Truthfully? It's simply because Tolkien is an exceptional writer and "There's a Hole in my Bucket" is easily one of my favorite books of 2021.
In "There's a Hole in my Bucket," Tolkien has crafted a heartfelt and humorous, heartbreaking and raw journey through some of life's more painful experiences. In this case, it's the journey that he experiences with his younger brother Mike before and after a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, here in the U.S.) left Mike with a life expectancy of 1-2 years and not much time to accomplish a life's worth of bucket list items.
Royd Tolkien sets out with his brother to accomplish those bucket list items, though eventually the disease would make travel impossible and Royd, along with several other family members, would become a caregiver to Mike as he fought to wring every possible moment out of life that he possibly could.
Motor Neurone Disease is, of course, a terminal illness and "There's a Hole in my Bucket" is at its most amazing as we experience the bond between these two brothers and we experience the transformation of a not so warm and fuzzy family that was transformed by this brief yet life-changing journey.
Then, there's what happens next.
The main thrust of "There's a Hole in my Bucket" is that unknown to Royd Mike had left behind a bucket list of 50 items he wanted Royd to experience. It's a journey, if you will, and one that was set from the beginning to be well documented as Mike does everything he can to ensure his legacy lives on through Royd.
The journey that unfolds in "There's a Hole in my Bucket" is a remarkable one. Tolkien, who had brief appearances in at least a couple of Peter Jackson's films and who has always had a strong tie to the Tolkien name, has written a book that made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel all warm and fuzzy, and inspired me even as I embark on my own grief journey due to recent losses.
There's a simple, straightforward honesty here that's transparent and vulnerable and simply wonderful. Yes, occasionally, the language gets a little raw but if you've ever seen someone living with ALS you'll understand where it all comes from and you'll know it's completely justified.
Royd Tolkien simply oozes love here - love for Mike, love for his son Story, love for Mike's son Edan, and love for many others. He even bonded greatly with Drew, his collaborator here and the cameraman throughout the adventure who, I laughed with familiarity, even has a child named Indiana.
Yet another way I bonded with this book.
Tolkien has an almost miraculous ability to weave together despair and gratitude. He vividly shares his frustrations with healthcare systems that fail, then care, then fail again, then care again. There are people we fall in love with here, for example a physiotherapist named Claire who goes above and beyond again and again, and as a paraplegic myself I also marveled at Mike's wife who stayed with him and present through to the every end.
In case you're wondering, I've started to cry twice just writing this review as I remember Tolkien's words, stories, and experiences.
We all need a Royd Tolkien.
"There's a Hole in my Bucket: A Journey of Two Brothers" is practically everything I want from a reading experience. Tolkien challenged my heart and my mind and immersed me in a world simultaneously heartbreaking and exhilarating. In this year when I've struggled to really truly connect with most books, Tolkien grabbed me and never let me go.
If there's a theme in "There's a Hole in my Bucket" it would likely be a reminder to truly treasure every moment and, indeed, I treasured every moment of Royd Tolkien's remarkable "There's a Hole in my Bucket: A Journey of Two Brothers."
October 27, 2021
The book description intrigued me, and I wanted to learn more about Mike and Royd, so I picked up a Kindle copy.
The write up promised this would be an emotive read, and it was in many places, but some of it fell flat for me. Especially the latter 25% of the memoir. Perhaps this reflects the writer’s state of mind and mood at that point? Also, many of the bucket list activities got glossed over, and a few felt repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, much of the writing was enjoyable with some well written lines that stood out for me and show the author’s wonderful sense of humour, such as …
‘She speaks to the (clean-up?) crew on the ground, and tells them I’m about to jump.’
And …
‘I’m not a young man anymore, despite what I like to put on my Tinder profile.’
And one that rings true for anyone that bit older in years …
‘Fear comes easier as you get older.’
Because of the subject matter, I wanted to give this read five stars. I really did. However, it isn’t a book that will stay with me. All in all, a good read on a difficult subject, which earns three stars. See my notes on ratings below.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
The write up promised this would be an emotive read, and it was in many places, but some of it fell flat for me. Especially the latter 25% of the memoir. Perhaps this reflects the writer’s state of mind and mood at that point? Also, many of the bucket list activities got glossed over, and a few felt repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, much of the writing was enjoyable with some well written lines that stood out for me and show the author’s wonderful sense of humour, such as …
‘She speaks to the (clean-up?) crew on the ground, and tells them I’m about to jump.’
And …
‘I’m not a young man anymore, despite what I like to put on my Tinder profile.’
And one that rings true for anyone that bit older in years …
‘Fear comes easier as you get older.’
Because of the subject matter, I wanted to give this read five stars. I really did. However, it isn’t a book that will stay with me. All in all, a good read on a difficult subject, which earns three stars. See my notes on ratings below.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
July 8, 2021
At first glance, two things stand out about this book. First, the featured two brothers are great-grandsons of the famous JRR Tolkien, who wrote The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although this fact will attract much attention, it is fairly tangential to the unfolding of this tale. The author Royd’s journey takes him on the movie set of The Lord of the Rings, and some characters play small roles in this tale. The book is set mainly in New Zealand, home of the movies’ filming. However, most of the book focuses on the love of two brothers. For the themes congruence, it does not matter whether they were Tolkiens or Smiths.
Second, for a thematic premise, one brother Mike dies of ALS (or in the British medical system, called Motor Neuron Disease, or MND). This is a progressive and fatal medical condition commonly known in the United States as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after the 1920s Yankees baseball great. Mike leaves behind a “bucket list” of fifty items for his brother Royd to complete, almost all in New Zealand. Royd, a movie producer by trade, raised money to produce a documentary that tells the story of how he completed the list. He also writes this narrative with short, easy-to-read chapters.
The bucket list consists of items like driving a race car, bungee jumping, singing a song in front of a large audience, and asking strangers to dance with him. Each story has an interesting twist to it, and Royd conveys this well. Clearly, he holds his brother Mike in high regard and in deep love. The resulting creative venture of this book illustrates just how dynamic that relationship was.
It’s hard to criticize a work based on such a pure love and whose theme is living life to the fullest regardless of limitations. However, this story is probably better suited for the documentary than a book. Royd does not possess the story-telling strengths of his great-grandfather. (I did find a few British words sprinkled throughout the book and enjoyed the challenge of looking them up. The elder Tolkien would likely be proud!) The stories are not terrible; rather, they seem more adapted to a screen. This book appears to be a secondary thought rather than a primary vision of the project. After finishing this book, I would like to see the documentary. Again, Royd produces movies for a living, and the documentary seems much more natural of an endeavor for him.
The audience for this book is targeted yet still broad. Themes of brotherly love and a romantic ideal of manhood permeate every page. Adventure-seeking males will like this book. Those who travel to New Zealand might also find much to explore here, both in life and in the country. The nation comes out quite well in this book with adventures overflowing from each chapter. Medically inclined readers will also benefit from reading an up-close account of the debilitation of ALS. This condition deserves continued focus due to the lack of effective treatments. Even readers interested in the human psyche will find deeper understanding in Royd’s complicated grief and how practices can facilitate healing. Overall, Royd’s take – and Mike’s take – on life is something most humans can learn from. I’m glad these loving brothers shared it with us readers.
Second, for a thematic premise, one brother Mike dies of ALS (or in the British medical system, called Motor Neuron Disease, or MND). This is a progressive and fatal medical condition commonly known in the United States as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after the 1920s Yankees baseball great. Mike leaves behind a “bucket list” of fifty items for his brother Royd to complete, almost all in New Zealand. Royd, a movie producer by trade, raised money to produce a documentary that tells the story of how he completed the list. He also writes this narrative with short, easy-to-read chapters.
The bucket list consists of items like driving a race car, bungee jumping, singing a song in front of a large audience, and asking strangers to dance with him. Each story has an interesting twist to it, and Royd conveys this well. Clearly, he holds his brother Mike in high regard and in deep love. The resulting creative venture of this book illustrates just how dynamic that relationship was.
It’s hard to criticize a work based on such a pure love and whose theme is living life to the fullest regardless of limitations. However, this story is probably better suited for the documentary than a book. Royd does not possess the story-telling strengths of his great-grandfather. (I did find a few British words sprinkled throughout the book and enjoyed the challenge of looking them up. The elder Tolkien would likely be proud!) The stories are not terrible; rather, they seem more adapted to a screen. This book appears to be a secondary thought rather than a primary vision of the project. After finishing this book, I would like to see the documentary. Again, Royd produces movies for a living, and the documentary seems much more natural of an endeavor for him.
The audience for this book is targeted yet still broad. Themes of brotherly love and a romantic ideal of manhood permeate every page. Adventure-seeking males will like this book. Those who travel to New Zealand might also find much to explore here, both in life and in the country. The nation comes out quite well in this book with adventures overflowing from each chapter. Medically inclined readers will also benefit from reading an up-close account of the debilitation of ALS. This condition deserves continued focus due to the lack of effective treatments. Even readers interested in the human psyche will find deeper understanding in Royd’s complicated grief and how practices can facilitate healing. Overall, Royd’s take – and Mike’s take – on life is something most humans can learn from. I’m glad these loving brothers shared it with us readers.
August 31, 2021
Honestly, this isn't great writing. The flow of storytelling is broken somehow, but in a way that works, as it reflects the broken heart of a grieving brother.
Unfortunately, sometimes, the book only seems like a companion to the documentary that was supposed to be released in 2020, before Covid hijacked film production and distribution, and that a full story can only be absorbed by watching and reading simultaneously.
And also, who the heck writes a 50 item bucket list for their brother to complete after their death, that has to be done on the other side of the world? I guess it worked out for them, since their family connection to the Lord of the Rings and Royd's connections to Peter Jackson and the industry helped to finance the trip of a lifetime.
But beyond all that, the book is just a healing journey, a step in a brother's grieving process, and a fulfillment of all the things the dying brothers couldn't do because of his illness. It has a lot of heart and I found it hard to read it without weeping and laughing too.
Maybe not a really a 5 star book, but good enough.
Unfortunately, sometimes, the book only seems like a companion to the documentary that was supposed to be released in 2020, before Covid hijacked film production and distribution, and that a full story can only be absorbed by watching and reading simultaneously.
And also, who the heck writes a 50 item bucket list for their brother to complete after their death, that has to be done on the other side of the world? I guess it worked out for them, since their family connection to the Lord of the Rings and Royd's connections to Peter Jackson and the industry helped to finance the trip of a lifetime.
But beyond all that, the book is just a healing journey, a step in a brother's grieving process, and a fulfillment of all the things the dying brothers couldn't do because of his illness. It has a lot of heart and I found it hard to read it without weeping and laughing too.
Maybe not a really a 5 star book, but good enough.
November 28, 2021
Royd Tolkien's brother, Mike, was diagnosed with ALS and during the short time before his passing, put his affairs in order and wrote a bucket list.
But this list wasn't for himself, it was for Royd. Mike was always the adventurous one where Royd often begrudgingly joined along for his sheer love of being with his brother.
This book is the story of Royd completing this list. All around New Zealand, Royd does embarrassing, dangerous, and heartwarming tasks set out by Mike. It's so sweet and funny! It kind of made me think of Impractical Jokers or Jackass at times.
It's also fun that they're the great grandsons of J.R.R. Tolkien since there was a decent amount of LOTR references (I mean, HELLO, they were in New Zealand!)
The kindle copy I had for some reason was formatted incorrectly and had full paragraphs missing between page turns but luckily, I was listening on audible as well, so I didn't miss anything.
But this list wasn't for himself, it was for Royd. Mike was always the adventurous one where Royd often begrudgingly joined along for his sheer love of being with his brother.
This book is the story of Royd completing this list. All around New Zealand, Royd does embarrassing, dangerous, and heartwarming tasks set out by Mike. It's so sweet and funny! It kind of made me think of Impractical Jokers or Jackass at times.
It's also fun that they're the great grandsons of J.R.R. Tolkien since there was a decent amount of LOTR references (I mean, HELLO, they were in New Zealand!)
The kindle copy I had for some reason was formatted incorrectly and had full paragraphs missing between page turns but luckily, I was listening on audible as well, so I didn't miss anything.
February 24, 2022
On a whim, I bought this book on Book Bub. It sounded interesting. It was. The book describes the beautiful relationship between two brothers who just happen to be great grandsons of J.R.R. Tolkien.
I enjoyed reading about the beauty of growing up in Wales and of two brothers, not close in age, who depended, teased, challenged, loved, and cared for each other. At 39 Mike dies from MND (in the US we call it ALS). Too young to die, he manages to provide his brother with a bucket list of things to do, culminating in raising funds to help find the cure for MND.
Royd's writing style makes it easy to read and even to laugh while dealing with a sad and tragic situation. Most enjoyable were the descriptions of New Zealand, the people he met, and his dedication in doing what his brother asked regardless of how terrified or humiliated he became.
A sweet memorial of his brother and their special relationship.
I enjoyed reading about the beauty of growing up in Wales and of two brothers, not close in age, who depended, teased, challenged, loved, and cared for each other. At 39 Mike dies from MND (in the US we call it ALS). Too young to die, he manages to provide his brother with a bucket list of things to do, culminating in raising funds to help find the cure for MND.
Royd's writing style makes it easy to read and even to laugh while dealing with a sad and tragic situation. Most enjoyable were the descriptions of New Zealand, the people he met, and his dedication in doing what his brother asked regardless of how terrified or humiliated he became.
A sweet memorial of his brother and their special relationship.
November 22, 2022
It feels harsh to give this two stars, given the reason this book was written. There are several very touching moments throughout but overall I struggled getting through this book. I can’t quite tell if it’s the writing of his not-totally-ghost ghost writer, or the items on the bucket list they chose to highlight, but nothing connected for me. You bounce back between bittersweet moments of a family coping with a horrific disease and death of a brother and name drops of happenings with famous friends and quite a bit too much detail about random events (fishing, camper vans, embarrassing random people) that occur while executing the bucket list.
March 8, 2024
Royd Tolkien is the great grandson of J.R.R Tolkien.
When Royd's younger brother Mike was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, he came up with a bucket list of things he wanted to do with Royd, before he died. Sadly, he didn't get to tick off everything on the list.
Unbeknownst to Royd, Mike made a second bucket list, one which he wanted Royd to complete on his own, after he, Mike was gone.
There's a Hole in my Bucket charts Royd's quest to complete that second bucket list. We also learn more about Mike, and about Motor Neuron Disease.
There are some amusing anecdotes throughout the book, but there is a lot of sadness too.
A moving and thought provoking read.
When Royd's younger brother Mike was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, he came up with a bucket list of things he wanted to do with Royd, before he died. Sadly, he didn't get to tick off everything on the list.
Unbeknownst to Royd, Mike made a second bucket list, one which he wanted Royd to complete on his own, after he, Mike was gone.
There's a Hole in my Bucket charts Royd's quest to complete that second bucket list. We also learn more about Mike, and about Motor Neuron Disease.
There are some amusing anecdotes throughout the book, but there is a lot of sadness too.
A moving and thought provoking read.
July 22, 2021
😥😊
Such a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale of two extremely close brothers and their bucket lists. Before and after one has passed on from MND. The tales of childhood and adulthood brought tears of joy and tears of sorrow. For them and for myself. Symuch an inspiration Mike was and still is as he lives on through his family and especially his Brother Royd. I am so glad I read this book as it brings so many memories of my own Dad who suffered from this horrible incurable disease.
Such a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale of two extremely close brothers and their bucket lists. Before and after one has passed on from MND. The tales of childhood and adulthood brought tears of joy and tears of sorrow. For them and for myself. Symuch an inspiration Mike was and still is as he lives on through his family and especially his Brother Royd. I am so glad I read this book as it brings so many memories of my own Dad who suffered from this horrible incurable disease.
August 19, 2021
Beautiful story of brothers
When faced with the end, we often make a bucket list but when you can't do the bucket list you make one for your brother. In this memoir Royd Tolkein sets out to finish a bucket list his brother, Mike, crafts for him. This book made you laugh and made you cry. It's a great story and probably even more enjoyable for those who love J. R. R. Tolkein and New Zealand. I'm now off to see if I can find the documentary.
When faced with the end, we often make a bucket list but when you can't do the bucket list you make one for your brother. In this memoir Royd Tolkein sets out to finish a bucket list his brother, Mike, crafts for him. This book made you laugh and made you cry. It's a great story and probably even more enjoyable for those who love J. R. R. Tolkein and New Zealand. I'm now off to see if I can find the documentary.
January 2, 2022
We follow Royd Tolkien on a bucket list challenge in NZ set by his brother that had recently passed away from MND. This book takes you through the different challenges set throughout NZ - adrenaline ones, embarrassing ones and amazing ones, all linked in with the heartbreaking experience they had with Mike’s MND diagnosis and journey. A read that leaves you with an emotional smile, ultimately their relationship through it all was beautiful.
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