Roverandom (1)

In 1925, J.R.R. Tolkien, his wife Edith, and their three little boys, John, 7; Michael, 5; and baby Christopher went to spend the summer at a cottage near the sea. It was by all accounts a nice holiday.

At that time, little MIchael had a favorite toy, a little painted metal dog. He called it "Rover" and carried it everywhere with him, ate with it, and slept with it-- as small children will with a favorite toy. One day while walking on the beach with his father and older brother, he put the little dog down so that they could skip stones on the sea. Sadly, when they were finished, he could not find little Rover anywhere. His father and brother helped him search for it all that day and the next, with no luck.

Poor little Michael was very upset, so to make him feel better, his father began to tell him a story about Rover and his adventures. A couple of years later, in 1927, Tolkien decided to write the little story down. It was not published at that time, nor ten years later when he submitted it-- it was rejected.

The story was finally published post-humously in 1998.

It's a charming story, and many Tolkien fans are unfamiliar with it. Inspired by the read_lotr_aloud community, I've decided to share the story by voice post, making 3 posts a week.

I have still not figured out how to work the automatic transcriptions however, so I hope you will enjoy just listening.

Next

Roverandom (1)

In 1925, J.R.R. Tolkien, his wife Edith, and their three little boys, John, 7; Michael, 5; and baby Christopher went to spend the summer at a cottage near the sea. It was by all accounts a nice holiday.

At that time, little MIchael had a favorite toy, a little painted metal dog. He called it "Rover" and carried it everywhere with him, ate with it, and slept with it-- as small children will with a favorite toy. One day while walking on the beach with his father and older brother, he put the little dog down so that they could skip stones on the sea. Sadly, when they were finished, he could not find little Rover anywhere. His father and brother helped him search for it all that day and the next, with no luck.

Poor little Michael was very upset, so to make him feel better, his father began to tell him a story about Rover and his adventures. A couple of years later, in 1927, Tolkien decided to write the little story down. It was not published at that time, nor ten years later when he submitted it-- it was rejected.

The story was finally published post-humously in 1998.

It's a charming story, and many Tolkien fans are unfamiliar with it. Inspired by the read_lotr_aloud community, I've decided to share the story by voice post, making 3 posts a week.

I have still not figured out how to work the automatic transcriptions however, so I hope you will enjoy just listening.

Next