Bilbo's Last Song by Tolkien - J R R (2012) Paperback

i actually purchased this for my husband to read to our daughter before bed. we are huge tolkien fans and my four year old loves to hear daddy reciete this beautiful poem before bed. i would recomend this to any tolkien fan.

Bilbo's last song is a wonderful tale told through song. Small, colorful drawings add flair and remind the reader of Bilbo's adventures. It is a satisfying, if poignant, end to the tale of The Lord of the Rings.

Unless you are dead set on owning everything published under Tolkien's name, do not buy this book, unless it's on a bargain book stack for less than a dollar. It is a 'stand alone' poem written on the occasion of Bilbo's ride, with many others, at the end of LOTR, to the ship in the Grey Havens to carry them to the undying lands. The illustrations are "nice", but I have never been a big fan of Pauline Baynes as a Tolkien illustrator. You can easily read the entire poem in 10 minutes. Notes on the illustrations are more extensive than Tolkien's own words.

Beautifully written and illustrated. The poem incapsulates Bilbo's entire journey. But these book is meant to be read in hardback not digital. Please, Please do not buy the digital version. I will be buying the "real" thing soon. Great for kids and adults.

Ridiculous. Sending this back. Got it as a gift for my 20 year old son for Christmas and I wish I paid a little more attention to the details. This is nothing more than a children's book and a really simplistic, overpriced one at that. Don't waste your time or money.

I purchased the above book, thinking it might be better than what I had been told. Was I wrong. The book sells for $ 12.99 plus tax and shipping...Don't waste your money on this. There are only 12 pages that have a 4-line poem that continues to the end. On the opposite side of each page is a piece of art work, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Art work is ok.
This is a total waste of money.

This exquisitely beautiful book is a real treasure, with such wonderful full-color illustrations by Pauline Baynes and sparkling silver lettering on the cover. Bilbo's Last Song is considered to be Tolkien's epilogue to his classic work `the Lord of the Rings' and closure on Bilbo's story. The jewel-like paintings by Pauline Baynes (Tolkien's favorite illustrator of his works), within this book tell two stories simultaneously ~ with the larger illustrations depicting the journey that brings the Ring-bearers and the company of Elves to the Grey Havens and the beginning of the final voyage across the sea. Running concurrently is a sequence of vignettes showing scenes from `The Hobbit' so Bilbo remembers his first journey, as he prepares for his last. This is an enchanting, supremely magical book filled with lyrical prose and fantastical adventure.

Bilbo Baggins, famous Hobbit adventurer and savior of the One Ring, arrives at the Grey Havens at the end of the Third Age to board the White Ship on its journey West. It is here that he composes his last song, reflecting on the leaving of Middle-Earth and the voyage that will take him to the Undying Lands at the end of the sunset. (This representation of JRR Tolkien's ideals on death and/ or immortality is pleasantly harmonius and it is nice that you are left in the unknown). Poignant and lyrical, the song is both a longing to set forth on his ultimate journey and a tender farewell to his friends left behind.

"Farewell friends! The sails are set, the wind is east, the moorings fret..."

Bilbo's last song is a must for all fans of Tolkien's vast, epic fantasy as it offers closure to one of the most significant character's stories. Alongside the stunning illustrations that adorn every single page, including the inner cover, is a section at the back containing more information on the pictures that convey Bilbo's stories and adventures. Although this is considered to be a children's book, similarly to `The Hobbit' I feel strongly that this is a book for all ages who love and cherish Tolkien's works, and who have read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and are interested in a sequel. Pauline Baynes artwork, (which also features in Farmer Giles of Ham, The adventures of Tom Bombadil, Smith of Wotton Major and Tree and Leaf) is perfect and really adds to Bilbo's story; bringing clearly to life his adventures and last voyage across Middle-Earth.

This poem was originally given as a gift to Professor Tolkien's longtime secretary in his office at Oxford University. It was an affectionate gift expressing gratitude and friendship. Significant time passed before its existence became known to anyone other than Professor Tolkien and the recipient of this poem.

Professor Tolkien sometimes gave spontaneous gifts of great significance. For example, during the Cold War, he gave to a visiting Chinese student at Oxford, a valuable original artwork illustrating The Hobbit, artwork created by Professor Tolkien. The artwork has never been seen again.

The British performing-duo Flanders & Swan created music for this small poem, and they publicly performed it. Recording of Flanders & Swan in performance of this poem exists. I heard it once on the Australian classical music network, on Colin Fox's weekend-morning program. It, too, tugs at the heartstrings.

This tiny little book contains one poem, Bilbo's farewell to Middle earth as he rides to the Grey Havens. The poem was never part of The Lord of the Rings and was probably written very late in JRR Tolkien's life. It wasn't published until sometime after Tolkien's death in the 1970s, and then only as a poster. It was not until 1990 that it became available in book form with illustrations by Pauline Baynes. Now, in time for The Hobbit movies, it has reappeared in this smaller format.

Despite its small size, Bilbo's Last Song is a precious jewel. In a way this was JRR Tolkien himself's farewell to the world he created, and thus the tone is both melancholic and hopeful as both Bilbo and Tolkien look forward to the Uttermost West or Heaven. Enhancing the words of the poem are the beautiful paintings and drawings by Pauline Baynes, who as a young woman gained favor with Tolkien for her illustrations, and who subsequently had a long and brilliant career. Among her many other works, she provided the illustrations for the first editions of Tolkien's Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and Smith of Wootton Major. Her work for Bilbo's Last Song is typically lovely, providing glimpses into earlier events from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings as well as hints of the beauties yet to come as Bilbo journeys to Elvenhome.

Bilbo's Last Song is a talisman of sorts, a precious reminder of the beauty to be found in Tolkien's words. It deserves a place in the library of every lover of Middle Earth.

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.