Books Reviews

Bilbo’s Last Song – Book Review

By Angela Youngman Dec 3, 2012, 15:55 GMT

Bilbo\'s Last Song is considered by many to be Tolkien\'s epilogue to his classic work The Lord of the Rings. As Bilbo Baggins takes his final voyage to the Undying Lands, he must say goodbye to Middle-earth. Poignant and lyrical, the song is both a longing to set forth on his ultimate journey and a tender farewell to friends left behind.Pauline Baynes\'s jewel-like illustrations lushly depict both this final voyage ...more

This has to be one of the most charming books associated with The Hobbit to reappear this year.  Bilbo is embarking on his last journey into the West, and while doing so he casts him mind back to across his adventures with the dwarves and Smaug in a lovely, lyrical poem. 

It is illustrated by one of the legendary children's authors, Pauline Baynes many years earlier. 

Her original drawings have been re-mastered and restored to brilliant life.  Quite apart from the illustrations linking aspects of The Hobbit, there are also nods towards elements of the Lord of the Rings as Frodo and Sam join the riders on their way to the Grey Havens; then later Merry and Pippin arrive.  The final picture of the three sad hobbits staring across the sea as the ship disappears is heart rending. 

This is a book for children, but one which collectors and lovers of Tolkien's work will also enjoy.  There is so much detail and so much story telling in all the individual little pictures that make up each scene, it is hard to take it all in.