Mr Bliss

Saw this new book (Re print it seems!) in Waterstones yesterday, was a bit surprised as I'd heard nothing of it.


At least that is something to put on the xmas list!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Bliss

That's a new one on me got to admit. Tolkien and a story about a motorcar- just seems, odd somehow.

Done a quick google search and it seems to be that the car is getting in all sorts of trouble! So with Tolkien's mistrust in the motar car (because we know how he felt about such things) it seems suitable that it might weave itself into a story for his kids.

Might have to grab this someday, to add to my Tolkien collection!

Now that makes sense- an evil, polluting, disturbing car!

With an infernal combustion engine, no less!

NB That may just be my favorite phrase from Tolkien (in the Letters; IIRC).

Eldorion wrote:With an infernal combustion engine, no less!

NB That may just be my favorite phrase from Tolkien (in the Letters; IIRC).

 

I read this a few months ago and enjoyed it quite alot, quite a charming story, with Tolkien's sense of humour on full display (me thinks the bumbling driving of the central character is autobiographical to some degree).

That said, I can see why it was rejected by the Publishers (he submitted after The Hobbit, but was turned down due to expense) it just feels really slight by his standards, none of the flowery prose, or faery charm of his other stories, take away the drawings and it seems almost too personal to publish imo, obviously intended primarily for his children, and not what I'd expect from Tolkien.

I'm glad it was published, I'm just not sure it was entirely merited (at least on its own).

Anyone else read it?

Pettytyrant101 wrote:That's a new one on me got to admit. Tolkien and a story about a motorcar- just seems, odd somehow.

Yeah it does, but Tolkien did own a car for a short period in the 30's (he sold it, after environmental concerns, If I remember rightly he wasn't a very good driver)

At the risk of sounding kinda arrogant, isn't it listed with the other books at in the insert list at the start of LOTR?

My copy doesnt have a list of other works by the same author at the start.   

Pettytyrant101 wrote:My copy doesnt have a list of other works by the same author at the start.   

Really? How old is your copy?

The oldest book I have by Tolkien is a copy of The Hobbit from '97 so maybe the list is a new thing...

*Edit, that list isn't complete anyway:

http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Index:Writings_by_J.R.R._Tolkien

HOTH or The Art Of The Hobbit aren't listed in mine   

Ive got Mr Bliss, but havent read it yet, just flipped thru the pages looking at the illustrations. My book is an old library book & dated 1982. At the back, on the last page is listed other books by Tolkien.



this picture reminds me of Bilbo's entrance hall ?

I've just realized I don't know how they did reproductions of artwork back then. I seem to remember plates for each color had to be done by hand, but that seems a herculean task. Any ideas?

halfwise wrote:I've just realized I don't know how they did reproductions of artwork back then.  I seem to remember plates for each color had to be done by hand, but that seems a herculean task.  Any ideas?

Not true. There were photoengraving techniques back in the late 19th century, but it was originally quite expensive. Google words like photoengraving and rotogravure if you need details. It was expensive for small runs though, which is why you'd only see a few glossy color pages in the  early National Geographic, for example.

got it, thanks. Still needed to make a cylinder for each color, but done by photo-resist acid etching.

TIL, there was a animated short film adaptation (Russian) of Mr Bliss made in 2004:

http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Mr._Bliss_(2004)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itzcNwJ-y3M