The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a 1962 collection of sixteen poems by J.R.R. Tolkien, framed as traditional rhymes and folklore enjoyed and recorded by the Hobbits in the Red Book of Westmarch.

Only two of the poems feature the enigmatic title character, describing his encounters with figures like the River-woman’s daughter, Goldberry, the malicious Old Man Willow, and a malevolent Barrow-wight—events that inform his role in The Lord of the Rings.

The remaining poems are a diverse assortment of whimsical and often dark verses, ranging from bestiary rhymes (like the Oliphaunt) and tales of errant wanderers to more melancholic pieces about the sea and the isolation of greed. Presented as “Hobbit poetry,” the collection offers a unique and light-hearted glimpse into the culture and literary tastes of the Shire, showcasing Tolkien’s mastery of varied metrical forms and his skill as a poet.

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