The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien

Revised and Expanded edition

By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Humphrey Carpenter - editor, Christopher Tolkien - editor

Narrated by: Samuel West, Mike Grady, Chris Smith

The comprehensive collection of letters spanning the adult life of one of the world’s greatest storytellers, now revised and expanded to include more than 150 previously unseen letters, with revealing new insights into The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.

J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of the languages and history of Middle-earth as recorded in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, was one of the most prolific letter-writers of this century. Over the years he wrote a mass of letters – to his publishers, to members of his family, to friends, and to 'fans' of his books – which often reveal the inner workings of his mind, and which record the history of composition of his works and his reaction to subsequent events.

A selection from Tolkien's correspondence, collected and edited by Tolkien's official biographer, Humphrey Carpenter, and assisted by Christopher Tolkien, was published in 1981. It presented, in Tolkien's own words, a highly detailed portrait of the man in his many aspects: storyteller, scholar, Catholic, parent, friend, and observer of the world around him.

In this revised and expanded edition of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, it has been possible to go back to the editors’ original typescripts and notes, restoring more than 150 letters that were excised purely to achieve what was then deemed a ‘publishable length’, and present the book as originally intended.

Enthusiasts for his writings will find much that is new, for the letters not only include fresh information about Middle-earth, such as Tolkien’s own plot summary of the entirety of The Lord of the Rings and a vision for publishing his ‘Tales of the Three Ages’, but also many insights into the man and his world. In addition, this new selection will entertain anyone who appreciates the art of letter-writing, of which J.R.R. Tolkien was a master.

©2024 J. R. R. Tolkien, Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien, Chris Smith (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

‘The closest we can get to an actual autobiography … reveals new insights into the mind of one of England’s greatest storytellers’ Telegraph

‘These revised and amplified letters are an absolute treat’ Sunday Times

‘This is a terrific book … the letters simply glow with warmth, interest and enthusiasm’ Private Eye

‘These letters provide an intriguing new glimpse into Tolkien’s life and work, allowing us to hear from one of the world’s best-loved authors in his own voice’ The National Archives

So Enjoyable

Samuel West as the voice of Tolkien is perfection, and it's wonderful to have all the notes appropriately read at the end of each letter.

The man, Middle-earth, & Lewis.

I feel like I have a much clearer understanding of JRRT after this, and I learned some really interesting bits about how Middle-earth worked in his head.
It was a treat to hear how often
C.S. Lewis was mentioned in his letters.
(These two men will never know how they shaped me.)
I often wondered why JRRT didn’t finish his other stories, now I know the man was simply very busy.
The collection of letters got rather sad as his friends and family started to pass away.
Life is short, try to get important things done, look after your family.

Very Insightful

I mostly listened to this to glean more details about the creation and backstory for LOTR and Arda, but got so much more. You learn so much about Tolkien as a person through these letters. Some of his letters are nearly raw booklets in and of themselves with lots of hidden gems, not only about LOTR factoids, but biblical and practical wisdom. Nearly every minute of this 30 hour book is fascinating for Tolkien enthusiasts, history buffs, LOTR/Hobbit fans, and lovers of philology. Glad it was published.

Like hearing Tolkien himself speak

A long expected audio version of the Letters, and from the expanded and revised version. The reader was quite excellent, and it truly felt like it was Tolkien himself narrating. Highly recommended!

An amazing simpler time

A very slow start, but gethers in steam until the end. 210 has his remarks on an adaption of his work.

His human/hobbit character is clear as glass

I love the letters. It felt like getting an inside look into who he was, why he did or didn’t do things. He seems very much to be a hobbit, and a true hero in his own way. I am forever grateful to know of this man, and what he gave the literary world, and I’m grateful to have listened to this collection of his letters.

Autobiographical Tolkien

A sumptuous collection of Tolkien’s letters. I dream of someday reading others that weren’t in this book. Hanging on every word, I found it impossible to put down.

For the true fan, much to be gleaned here

He was a delightful curmudgeon and I loved every minute of these letters. Exceptional narration.

For Tolkien fans who can't get enough (Like me)!

My dear friends and fellow readers/listeners,
I'm afraid this is going to be a somewhat biased review. My parents first read, "The Hobbit," and, "The Lord of the Rings," to me when I was very young. That having been my first foray into fantasy fiction, I was instantly entranced. I would read the novels a bit later on for myself. To this day, they remain a wonderful escape. So, I fell in love with Middle-Earth early on. Though, it wasn't until years later that I would first attempt, "The Silmarillion," and it took me a few tries to get through it, honestly. Once I did, though, I realized that I wanted to know everything about Tolkien and his World. From there I would move on to, "Unfinished Tales," and so forth. "Letters," informs the fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien wonderfully! That having been said, there are those who won't need to snap this up as quickly as I did. No one really, "needs," to read beyond the novels unless they're writing a detailed essay, or they're a bit obsessed (Hello, there!). Tolkien amazes me. He excites, mystifies, challenges, and frustrates me... Sometimes all at once. His work has its flaws, but ultimately becomes more beautiful, uplifting, haunting, and epic every time I read it. Seemingly ancient in a way that appears almost... discovered as much as created.
This volume offers a glimpse behind the curtain. Here you'll find descriptions of Tolkien's works and struggles in his own words, as well as other insights. All coming from letters to his family, friends, colleagues, publishers, and fans. Excellently narrated, to boot. I, personally (and conditionally, of course (as in: worth a credit, at least, if you enjoy the other, "supplemental," material)), could not recommend this more.
Most sincerely,
-Me
Ps. Sooo... Hey, Audible. "Book of Lost Tales Pt 1 (The History of Middle-Earth Pt 1)," next? Maybe? Huh?

well curated and narrated

the narrator did so well I had to remind myself that it wasn't Tolkien talking