Smith Of Wootton Major

[marycatelli]

Smith Of Wootton Major by J. R. R. Tolkien

A short, late work by the master.  A novelette, even, rather than a novella.

In a village -- "not very long ago for those with long memories, nor very far away for those with long legs" -- there was a custom of the Cook, and every twenty-four years, that Cook held the Feast of Good Children.  He recounts the custom, and how it happened that the Cook's prentice was not allowed to succeed him, but another man brought in, and how they baked the cake one time, and put in it trinkets, including a silver star.

It seemed to vanish, but one boy had swallowed it, and some years later, it fell from his mouth to his hand, and he put it to his forehead.  It proved to let him enter into Faerie, where he visited for many years, and it showed in his singing and his smithing.  He has a few adventures, but it is mostly the wonders -- and a few things that prove to be more in the bittersweet ending.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I love this story so much. It really affected my notions of Faerie.

I copied one of the illustrations--the one of Smith dancing in Faerie--by hand and hung it on my wall, when I was a teenager.

[marycatelli]

Oh, yes, the illustrations are beautiful.

That's the illustrator Pauline Baynes, BTW. Those who are picking up the book may wish to check that her illustrations are in it.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yeah--I love the medieval style of the faces and bodies.

[marycatelli]

I got out a book on medieval history once just because she had illustrated -- lousy book, but lovely illustrations. (Best in black and white.)

[alivion.livejournal.com]

I haven't read Smith Of Wootton Major in years. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember that I really liked it. Its high time for a re-reading; thanks for the reminder :)

[marycatelli]

Hope you enjoy it again!