Tolkien and Dickens descendants collaborate on children’s books
A picture shows a collection of early editions of novels written by British author Charles Dickens at the Charles Dickens Museum based in a house where the novelist lived in central London on February 6, 2012. Dickens’ great-great grandson is collaborating with JRR Tolkien’s grandson on two fantasy children’s novels.
JRR Tolkien and Charles Dickens' descendants are collaborating on two children's fantasy novels to be released later this year, Thames River Press announced.
Michael Tolkien, JRR Tolkien's oldest grandson, will write two novels based on stories his grandfather read to him as a child, BBC News reported. Gerald Dickens, Charles' great-great grandson, will narrate the audio book versions.
JRR Tolkien is the author of famed fantasy novels the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings; Charles Dickens is a celebrated Victorian author who wrote the classic Great Expectations and Oliver Twist.
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The two literary offspring teamed up in 2010 to work on the novels, CBC News reported.
The first book, Wish, was inspired by a fantasy story called The Rose-Colored Wish by Florence Bone, written in 1923, Hypable reported. It is the story of two children who try to use an evil enchanter’s wishing chain of stones to save the valley where they live.
The second book, Rainbow, is based on Bone’s 1910 novel, The Other Side of the Rainbow.
"Wish is a timeless story which children will enjoy for years to come," Dickens said in a statement, CBC reported. "Michael Tolkien has brought it to life in narrative verse.”
Michael Tolkien, a poet, is also currently working on his third book, based on The Idle Fairy by Hilda C. Adshead, Thames River Press reported. Gerald Dickens is an actor, director, and producer.
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