It is fairly well-known that Tolkien's Hobbits were inspired by The Marvellous Land of Snergs, a 1927 children's book by E.A. Wyke-Smith. Tolkien wrote in the notes for his lecture/essay "On Fairy-stories" that “I should like to record my own love and my children’s love of E. A. Wyke-Smith’s Marvellous Land of Snergs, at any rate of the snerg-element in that tale, and of Gorbo, the gem of dunderheads, jewel of a companion in an escapade.”
A couple of years ago, a British publisher released a re-written version of the book, though the book still uses the Tolkien quote as though the reader of this new version will be reading the book that inspired Tolkien. But it is not the same book, not even close. I wrote about it on this blog back then, "When the Snergs book is NOT the Snergs book."
Recently I discovered a newly published US edition, and following up, I realized that this shady production has perpetrated more translations than Wyke-Smith's actual book has had. I recommend anyone interested in the book that actually inspired Tolkien avoid these frauds. Here follows the (alphabetical) non-English language Snergs Hall of Shame. (At least currently ...)
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| Catalan |
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| Czech |
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| French |
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| German |
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| Hungarian |
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| Romanian |
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| Russian |
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| Spanish |
I realize that the original Snergs is public domain and publishers can for the most part do as they like; but isn't there a potential claim in false advertising here?
ReplyDeleteOne would think so!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Tolkien publishers could release an authentic version, perhaps illustrated by a known Tolkien artist.
DeleteI'm flabbergasted. Glad I got my copy years ago!
ReplyDeleteDoug, thank you. You saved me some money as I was teetering on purchases this latest edition.
ReplyDelete:-)
ReplyDelete