Bilbo's Last Song

This book was one that I stumbled apon in [a local store] as I was browsing the Tolkien area as usual. Since it was a rather short read, I sat down at a table in the back of the store. By the time I reached the last page my heart ached, tears came to my eyes, a smile appeared on my face, and I knew I could never put it back on that shelf. I could truly sense the love Tolkien felt for his Hobbits, and all of their friends. It is the perfect encore to the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I've enjoyed Bilbo's Last Song so many times since that day that I highly recommend this book to all true Tolkien fans. Ignore the price and buy this wonderful book!

This is a lovely little keepsake book with colorful illustrations highlighting many scenes from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The paper is high quality, the printing and inks are excellent, and there are lovely silver accents on the cover. Pauline Baynes, a long-time friend of Professor Tolkien, may be better known as the illustrator of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. In this work which is the song written by Bilbo at the time of his parting to go to the Grey Havens and thence to take ship for the Undying Lands, the illustrations are graceful and filled with heart-felt reminiscence. They are detailed and emotional and do perfect justice to Bilbo's thoughts as he looks back upon a life filled with adventures, old friends and the riches of a life well lived. The little song is short and very touching and captures the swirl of feelings as he leaves Middle-Earth and embarks upon his journey to his final home among the Elves and the Ring Bearers. This strikes me as a work that would be lovely to read at the passing of a loved one for it captures the longing to set forth as well as the sadness of the leaving. It is a must for any Tolkien fan and certainly for any fans of the talented Pauline Baynes. Bilbo would be well pleased.

"Bilbo's Last Song," by J.R.R. Tolkien, is illustrated by Pauline Baynes. The text is a poem/song attributed to Bilbo Baggins, a character from Tolkien's fantasy epic "The Lord of the Rings" and its companion volume, "The Hobbit." The song itself is a tender, wistful message of farewell. It opens, "Day is ended, / dim my eyes, / but journey long / before me lies."The song is illustrated throughout with scenes from both "Lord" and "the Hobbit." Fans of Tolkien's tales will recognize many familiar scenes and characters: the doorway to Bilbo's home, the wizard Gandalf, the tragic Gollum, the dragon Smaug, and more. The illustrations vary from quaint and homey to action-packed to tenderly evocative. A key at the end of the book tells the origin of each scene illustrated. Bayne's pictures are full of color, charm, and interesting detail; I really believe this is a book one can come back to again and again.

Don't expect a full-length story of Middle-Earth in J.R.R. Tolkien's Bilbo's Last Song, but a rather lovely illustrated poetry/song piece considered to be Tolkien's epilogue to Lord of the Rings. Pauline Baynes provides the gorgeous, delicate color drawings in this short but beautiful little gift item.