In the House of Tom Bombadil - a review

In the House of Tom Bombadil by C.R. Wiley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a delightful book.

Chock full of Tolkien quotes, the best part was the last footnote on the last page:

“The first time that Tom saved the hobbits it was at a tree, and the second time that he saved them it was at a tomb.”

Wiley never comes out and says it, but Bombadil is a Christ figure. The Eldest, there from the beginning (shades of Proverbs 8). The one who Is. The Master. No one has ever caught him – the devil has nothing on Him. The ring has no power over Him; He has power over the ring.

The chapter on Goldberry, river-woman’s daughter, was fascinating. And Wiley makes great connections to the Silmarillion regarding Tom’s singing.

I also enjoyed the last chapter, where Bombadil is a picture of the consummation, our eternal rest, shown to us at the beginning of the perilous journey.

4 stars!

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