What do Hobbits read when they’re not fleeing Ringwraiths or hosting second breakfasts? Apparently, poetry.
Meet Tom Bombadil: river-spirit, forest mystery, and the Middle-earth equivalent of your quirky uncle who speaks in riddles and knows too much. In this newly expanded edition, Tolkien’s Hobbit-penned verses come alive—some lighthearted, some haunting—all brimming with lore.
But this isn’t just a rehash. Inside you’ll find never-before-published notes, early drafts, and even a snippet of prose featuring Tom himself. Tolkien scholars Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond provide the kind of footnotes that make lore nerds swoon, and the legendary Pauline Baynes (yes, Narnia’s illustrator) brings the Shire’s whimsy to life in stunning detail.
Is Bombadil just a woodland recluse—or something far more powerful?
Time to find out. Bring snacks.
