Leaf by Niggle

Written by J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated by Derek Jacobi

Tolkien’s acclaimed modern classic ‘fairie’ tale, read by Derek Jacobi.

Leaf by Niggle recounts the strange adventures of the painter Niggle, who sets out to paint the perfect tree. But he senses that he will be snatched away from his work long before it is finished – if indeed it could ever be finished in this world. For it is in another and brighter place that Niggle finds his tree is finished, and learns that it is indeed a real tree, a true part of creation.

Written in the early 1940s at the same time as The Lord of the Rings was taking shape, ‘Leaf by Niggle’ is a passionate adult fairy tale about a man who has ‘a long journey to make’, thought to be an allegory of Tolkien’s own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9780008205065

J. R. R. Tolkien

J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 80 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.

Reviews for Leaf by Niggle

[Merle Arrowsmith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a lovely tale and parable on what it is to lead a meaningful life. The narrator is absolutely excellent, thank you!

[bjdmda · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really good work from Tolkien! And the speaker/actor is stunning! Well done Everand!

[lori_eshleman-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read Leaf by Niggle in preparation for teaching a course on J.R.R. Tolkien. Originally written in 1938-39 and 1st published in 1945, this short story speaks to our own time, particularly to the devaluation of the arts and humanities in our society. In the story, Niggle spends all his time painting a huge canvas of trees and their leaves, neglecting his house and interrupted only by the need to help his neighbors. Perhaps a bit like Tolkien himself in his creation of an elaborate new mythology, the picture just keeps growing, and Niggle is not sure when it will be done. In Kafka-esque manner, various administrators pass judgement on him, much like university administrators and politicians judge the humanities today: the town councillor says Niggle is "a silly little man...no use to Society at all...No practical or economic use," and dismisses his art as "private day-dreaming." Yet Niggle creates a marvelous world, full of the beauty of nature, a world that in the end gives him and his neighbors great pleasure. This story speaks to us in the voice of one of the great creative minds of the 20th century, reminding us that there is more to life than business and economic production. The arts and humanities enhance our world, free us to see things from different perspectives, and give us hope.