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In the House of Tom Bombadil
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What is Tom Bombadil doing in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings? His bright blue coat and yellow boots seem out of place with the grandeur of the rest of the narrative.
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“Some of the best insights ever made about J.R.R. Tolkien’s invented world or, frankly, about 20th-century literature…. Here is a book of intense wisdom and penetrating thought.” ~Bradley J. Birzer, author of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle-earth
In this book, C.R. Wiley shows that Tom is not an afterthought but Tolkien’s way of making a profoundly important point. Tolkien once wrote, “[Tom Bombadil] represents something that I feel important, though I would not be prepared to analyze the feeling precisely. I would not, however, have left him in, if he did not have some kind of function.”
Tom Bombadil and his wife Goldberry are a small glimpse of the perfect beauty, harmony, and happy ending that we all yearn for in our hearts. To understand Tom Bombadil is to understand more of Tolkien and his deeply Christian vision of the world.
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What People Are Saying
"Though Wiley’s work is short, it ends up touching on some of the major characters, moments, and themes of The Lord of the Rings. That he can do so while never straying from a focus on a character so allegedly inconsequential as Tom Bombadil suggests that Tom might be important after all." ~National Review online
"[It is] a rich and rewarding banquet Wiley has prepared; I encourage you to pull up a chair In the House of Tom Bombadil, and partake of the feast for yourself." ~Front Porch Republic
"Wiley’s brisk, thought-provoking book helps us see how Bombadil, far from being a superfluous oddity, helps us envision both happiness and a home in this world — and beyond it." ~The University Bookman
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C.R. Wiley is a senior contributor to The Imaginative Conservative and a minister living in the Pacific Northwest. His short stories have appeared in The Mythic Circle and Fear and Trembling, and his nonfiction has appeared in Touchstone Magazine, Relevant Magazine Online, and Modern Reformation. He is the author of The Household and the War for the Cosmos and Man of the House. The Purloined Boy, Book 1 of the Weirdling Cycle, is his first novel.
AUTHOR: C.R. Wiley
PUBLISHER: Canon Press
PAGE COUNT: 128
BINDING: Hardcover
SIZE: 5.5x8.5"
ISBN 10: 1954887027
ISBN-13: 9781954887022
PUB. DATE: December 14, 2021
Customers praised this thought-provoking literary analysis as "delightful" and "enriching," offering deep insights into an enigmatic character. Readers appreciated the well-written exploration of dominion themes and theological connections. Many called it a "great gift" for Tolkien fans. The hardcover edition received praise. One minor critique mentioned pronunciation in the audio version.
I’ve just begun to read Tolkien. This book gave me needed insight into his body of work. I endorse this book.
To my chagrin, I’m not much of a reader. I haven’t read Lord of the Rings, only The Hobbit 25 years ago. I know, I know. However, my mother recently passed away, and she had read the series, and in fact created an email address by the name Bombadilsniggler. It always confused me. Then I learned a bit of who Tom Bombadil was when listening to A Canon press interview with the CR Wiley , and it compelled me to find out more. I bought a copy for my brothers and father, too! Quite a rewarding read, even not having read LOTR. Very thankful for this book, as it gave me a glimpse into something my mom really enjoyed and I knew little of.
You know you've read a good book, when you don’t want it to end. This was true for me reading ‘In the house of Tom Bombadil’. It’s refreshing to read something on the Tolkien world that wasn’t rehashed contemplations from other authors. This was engaging and thought provoking ruminations. It shows that there is still so much room for continued exploration on the themes, truths and implications of Tolkien’s work. Thank you for adding to the conversation. I just have one small chicken bone stuck in my craw after listening to the audio version. Please for the love of Eru Ilúvatar why does Mr. Wiley pronounce Elrond the way he does?
A delightful, thought-provoking, and inspiring read.
I'm only 1/3 of the way through and already I'm thinking about giving this book as a gift to friends who have also enjoyed reading LOTR. It is well-written and has lengthened my reading list.
I loved this book from beginning to end!
A surprisingly great read. Didn't have any expectations going in and was pleasantly surprised, definitely worth a re-read and loved the hardback itself
I was given this book as a gift and have already read it twice!
And plan to give it as a gift - just not MY copy.
I was given this book as a gift and have already read it twice!
And plan to give it as a gift - just not MY copy.
Tom Bombadil has been my favorite LOTR character since my 1st reading of it as a teenager in 1975. I listened to the audio of this book and throughly enjoyed it. I purchased the hardcover as a Christmas gift for my adult son, who is also a lover of Tolkiens work
Already being a fan of the God of all creation and Tolkien (in that order), I’m sure I’m the most receptive audience, but every page was a joy. I left with a deeper appreciation for Tom Bombadil, the created order of God, the beauty of the earth, and our call to subdue and have dominion over his creation, to the glory of God alone.
Already being a fan of the God of all creation and Tolkien (in that order), I’m sure I’m the most receptive audience, but every page was a joy. I left with a deeper appreciation for Tom Bombadil, the created order of God, the beauty of the earth, and our call to subdue and have dominion over his creation, to the glory of God alone.
As a new LOTR fan and hearing some about Tom Bombadil, I was intrigued with this book as soon as it became available. Wiley does an incredible job drawing out the small, subtleties mentioned around Tom in LOTR and opening them up to a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about this mysterious character. I highly recommend this book.
When I first read Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” it became, and still is, my favorite book. And my favorite part in my favorite book is the Hobbit’s venture into the Old Forest and in the House of Tom Bombadil. Wiley’s book, therefore, was a must read and it was wholesomely entertaining. Wiley offers, like Goldberry, much food for thought that is enriching to the soul. He discusses Mastery and deals with the differentiation between Dominion v. Domination. As well as offering insight on other topics. If you like Tolkien or old Tom, you should enjoy this book.
As a new LOTR fan and hearing some about Tom Bombadil, I was intrigued with this book as soon as it became available. Wiley does an incredible job drawing out the small, subtleties mentioned around Tom in LOTR and opening them up to a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about this mysterious character. I highly recommend this book.
English is my second language, and I became fluent as an adult, a good excuse not to have read Lord of the Ring yet, I supposed, but oh goodness, this made me want to! It is an absolutely enriching read. Highly recommend the only warning you’ll be returning or wanting to read for the first time the original books.
English is my second language, and I became fluent as an adult, a good excuse not to have read Lord of the Ring yet, I supposed, but oh goodness, this made me want to! It is an absolutely enriching read. Highly recommend the only warning you’ll be returning or wanting to read for the first time the original books.
I hesitated to read this but am so glad I did. It was a thought-provoking exploration of an enigmatic character. Along with that, it had a surprising practical value with helpful application concerning our own dominion on the earth.
I hesitated to read this but am so glad I did. It was a thought-provoking exploration of an enigmatic character. Along with that, it had a surprising practical value with helpful application concerning our own dominion on the earth.
As an avid fan of both Tolkien and C.R. Wiley, I found this little book to be a delightful, thought-provoking collection of observations on the mysterious Master. Highly recommend.
As an avid fan of both Tolkien and C.R. Wiley, I found this little book to be a delightful, thought-provoking collection of observations on the mysterious Master. Highly recommend.
Out of the 3 book I purchased bundle Wiley stands apart
Beautiful cover and makes a great gift for fellow LOTR lovers
Beautiful cover and makes a great gift for fellow LOTR lovers
C. R. Wiley has given a thorough and excellent commentary on the necessity of Tom Bombadil. The book gives a broader understanding about Middle Earth at large and causes the reader to look more closely at the curious character of Tom Bombadil and what he might mean both within The Lord of the Rings and beyond it.
C. R. Wiley has given a thorough and excellent commentary on the necessity of Tom Bombadil. The book gives a broader understanding about Middle Earth at large and causes the reader to look more closely at the curious character of Tom Bombadil and what he might mean both within The Lord of the Rings and beyond it.
If you didn’t like the lite movies because they didn’t have Tom, this book is for you. This book drew out what I always felt but couldn’t express.
If you didn’t like the lite movies because they didn’t have Tom, this book is for you. This book drew out what I always felt but couldn’t express.
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