InfoAnda - Book Talk: Diamonds inspire Tolkien grandson's novel |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

A Minute With: Taylor Lautner from "Twilight" | 25 June 2010
Japan's finance minister quits over G7 debacle | 17 February 2009
Syria says Iran bus blast an accident, 3 dead | 3 December 2009

Australian documentary on Thai royals sparks outrage | 16 April 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Book Talk: Diamonds inspire Tolkien grandson's novel |

Edition: U.S. Article Comments (0) Follow Reuters Book Talk: Diamonds inspire Tolkien grandson's novel Tweet Share this Link this By Bernard Vaughan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Simon Tolkien avoided writing fiction for most of his life, intimidated by the imposing legacy of his grandfather, J.R.R. Tolkien who penned "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." Instead, he embarked on a... Email Print Novelist Simon Tolkien is seen in this undated handout photo. Credit: Reuters/Handout Related Topics Entertainment » Fashion » People » Lifestyle » By Bernard Vaughan NEW YORK | Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:33am EST NEW YORK (Reuters) - Simon Tolkien avoided writing fiction for most of his life, intimidated by the imposing legacy of his grandfather, J.R.R. Tolkien who penned "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." Instead, he embarked on a 15-year career as a criminal lawyer in England. That experience, together with his study of modern history at Trinity College, Oxford, provided a fertile background when he began writing 12 years ago, at the age of 40. In 2002, Tolkien published his debut novel, "Final Witness," a murder mystery and courtroom drama. Last year, he followed up with his second book, "The Inheritance" about a son accused of murdering his Oxford historian father. The hero of "The Inheritance," Inspector William Trave, returns in Tolkien's latest book, "The King of Diamonds," which will be published next week. Trave investigates the murder of the niece of a diamond merchant known for rescuing Jews from Nazi-occupied Belgium. Tolkien spoke to Reuters about the inspiration for his new novel, his famous grandfather and how he feels about the upcoming film version of "The Hobbit." Q: What was the motivation for this book? A: "The last book, 'The Inheritance,' was a courtroom drama. I wanted to move away from that and more into a police procedural-type story. I also wanted to develop a female character. And I'm also interested in the shadow of the World War Two." Q: Why focus on Belgian Jews trying to use diamonds to escape from Nazi-occupied Belgium? A: "Diamonds have always fascinated me. I'm interested in the idea of something very small affecting the way in which people act. They tie in with the fate of the Jews in the Second World War as richer Jews tried to use them to buy their escape from the Nazis. I was also very interested in the novel 'Sarah's Key,' about the deportation of French Jews in 1942, and that led me to the story of the Holocaust in Belgium, where Antwerp was the center of the diamond trade." Q: Has your grandfather influenced your writing at all? A: "With 'The Inheritance' there was this sense that you had to go back into the past in order to find out what is going on in the present. In the same way, I was really interested by what happens in 'The Lord of the Rings' when Gandalf has to go back into this dusty library and read all these legends that were written thousands of years before in order to work out that this ring was the One Ring. And I think that's similar to 'The Inheritance.'" Q: How do you feel about the movie version of "The Hobbit" starting to film? A: "I've got mixed feelings about that after 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' the 'Lord of the Rings' movies became more special effects than character-driven. What I wonder is whether they're going to try and turn it into a sort of sub-Lord of the Rings, a big, adult epic, when 'The Hobbit' was effectively written by my grandfather for his children." Q: Father-son relationships play a big role in your books. Have your disagreements with your father, Christopher, been an influence? A: "I don't think it's specific to me and my father, but I'm interested in how families work under extreme tension. I think there's an alchemy between where you come from, and where you've been, and what your experience is, through to what you creatively write." Q: What do you get out of writing that you didn't get from being a barrister? A: "I loved the bar. It's theater at a really major level. But equally, somebody's fate for a very long time is entirely depending on you. I'm not under that kind of stress anymore. And through writing I can express who I am in a way in which I never could as a barrister." Entertainment Fashion People Lifestyle Tweet this Share this Link this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language, all capital letters or appear to be spam, and we review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above. Social Stream (What's this?) © Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Reader Feedback Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Analyst Research Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts Venture Capital Journal International Financing Review Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week FindLaw Reuters on Facebook Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Thursday, 10 March 2011
Veteran US shuttle ends historic spaceflight career
Wall Street tycoon driven by greed: prosecutors
Carlos Slim tops Forbes' rich list, BRIC billionaires emerge |
Insurer Prudential eyes Asian growth after doubling profits
Libya: live report
Blast shuts down Iraq Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline: sources |
Nokia Siemens delays Motorola purchase
Iran aims to get to brink of nuclear arms: U.S. aide |
Nokia shares up after Symbian sales commitment
Bahraini Shi'ites protest against settling Sunnis |
Killing hardens opposition resolve in Yemen |
Men with rocks attack remnants of Cairo protest |
Saudi Shi'ites hold new protest in oil province |
Japan's new FM wants to deepen alliance with US
Asians, Latinos boost California population
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
NPR chief resigns amid controversy
Disappearing tradition: Najaf abaya makers in decline
UNESCO plans museum for destroyed Afghan Buddhas
From the streets to the stage, Yemen finds its voice
Danube delta reed: new 'in' roofing for luxury homes
Amid revolution, Egyptian designer still makes it to Paris
German hints will return treasured sphinx to Turkey
CORRECTED
Call girls, wives check into Marc Jacob's 'Hotel Vuitton'
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee weakens; o/n rates flat
Microsoft sells 10 million Kinect devices |
Obamas take Facebook stand against bullying
Nokia Siemens delays Motorola purchase
Online travel sites seek to ground Google-ITA deal
Microblogs in China government's fight to win public approval
Nokia shares up after Symbian sales commitment
Lady Gaga may sue over breastmilk ice cream name |
NPR chief resigns amid controversy |
Mel Gibson reaches plea deal in domestic abuse case |
Spider-Man musical overhauled, delayed again-report |
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
Adele spends second week at #1 on Billboard albums chart with "21"
News Singapore
News Singapore
EU and NATO to meet on Libya after raging battles |
ElBaradei says he'll run for Egyptian president |
News Singapore
News Singapore
Dalai Lama plans to quit as Tibet political leader |
Yemen president vows new constitution within year |
Mexican gang members charged in U.S. consulate murders |
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts with greater fury |
News Singapore
China and Russia drive growth in world's billionaires |
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
Charlie Sheen sparks new era of cyber celebrity meltdowns |
Sony promotes Hirai, possible successor to CEO |
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
LG Display says in 3D panel supply talks with Sony |
News Singapore
U.S. nominates first Chinese American as ambassador to Beijing
Facebook puts six on Forbes billionaire list |
Screening for all air cargo bomb threats faces tough deadline
News Singapore
U.S. stocks, oil price retreat
Home WiFi gives 30 percent slower connection: study |
News Singapore
U.S. lawmakers ask Facebook to block third parties’ easy access
Illinois abolishes capital punishment, governor commutes 15 death sentences
Space shuttle Discovery makes its last landing
South Florida mayor arrested on corruption charges
News Singapore
Oldest wild bird in northern hemisphere raising chick
US asks China to stop enforced disappearances of human rights activists
US on track to double exports by 2014: Kirk
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
Charlie Sheen sparks new era of cyber celebrity meltdowns |
News Singapore
News Singapore
Julianne Moore to play Sarah Palin in HBO film |
Lawyers in Charlie Sheen fracas lay out strategies |
Broadway's Spider-Man delayed, revamped again |
News Singapore
No script, no worries: Men in Black 3 shoots anyway |
News Singapore
Bath & Body Works sues over Twilight toiletries |
News Singapore
Documentary suggests sky not falling after all |
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
News Singapore
Surge in Arab protests expected on Friday in Gulf |
Gulf states prepare aid fund for Oman and Bahrain |
India's Hyderabad shut down as thousands demand new state |
Iran forces kill three people in clashes in west |
Rival factions snub Hamas unity offer |
Nervous Saudis ponder whether to join protests |
No proof of drug industry sway on WHO in pandemic: report |
Angola stifling democracy protests: Human Rights Watch |
AOL to cut 20 percent of global workforce: source |
Facebook puts six on Forbes billionaire list |
Angry Birds creators Rovio raises $42 million |
Online game company Zynga to double India staff this year |
Samsung targets Nokia Symbian developers |
50 Cent joins Gaddafi performance regret club |
Deathly Hallows highest foreign earner of Potter series |
Book Talk: Diamonds inspire Tolkien grandson's novel |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01