Smith of Wootton Major

Title: Smith of Wootton Major

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Published in: 1967

Date read: Not yet read

Score: /5

Genre:

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Smith of Wootton Major," published in 1967, is J.R.R. Tolkien's last major work of fiction. It is a charming, allegorical novella that serves as a profound meditation on the nature of art, fantasy, and the passage of time.

The story is set in the small, seemingly ordinary village of Wootton Major. The village has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the Feast of the Good Children, which concludes with a Great Cake. This cake contains various trinkets, including a small, silver star that is meant to be a prize. This year, the star is accidentally swallowed by a young boy named Smith.

The star does not harm Smith; instead, it becomes embedded in his forehead, invisible to others but a source of wondrous power for him. As he grows up, the star bestows upon him an uncanny connection to the world of Faery. He is a gifted craftsman and blacksmith, and the star allows him to infuse his work with a special magic, turning his creations into something truly beautiful and alive. His work becomes famous, but no one understands the source of his talent.

Smith lives a long and happy life, navigating the balance between his ordinary human existence in Wootton Major and his privileged access to the world of Faery. The star allows him to travel between the two worlds, visiting and interacting with magical beings and witnessing the breath-taking beauty of a realm that is both terrifying and enchanting. He is given a Faery Queen's gift of a magical passport, which allows him to enter the land of Faery.

However, the power of the star is not without its costs. Smith, now an old man, realizes that the star is not meant to be a permanent possession. The Feast of the Good Children is coming again, and he knows that the star must be passed on to a new apprentice to continue the cycle of wonder and artistry.

The novel is a quiet and reflective tale, more of a fable than a traditional adventure. It explores the themes that fascinated Tolkien throughout his life: the relationship between the mundane and the magical, the purpose of a creative life, and the bittersweet nature of passing on a legacy. The climax is a poignant and peaceful moment as Smith passes on the star, knowing that his journey is complete and that the wonder of Faery will live on. "Smith of Wootton Major" is a beautiful and thoughtful coda to Tolkien's work, a gentle farewell to the world of magic he spent his life creating.

Comments:

Books that we've read by J.R.R. Tolkien (4):
The Hobbit (The Lord of the Rings, #0) (1937), The Fellowship of the Ring (Middle Earth, #1) (1954), The Two Towers (Middle Earth, #3) (1954), The Return of the King (Middle Earth, #4) (1955)