The Marvellous Land of Snergs

The Marvellous Land of Snergs is a children's fantasy, written by Edward Wyke Smith and published in 1927. It was a definite influence on Tolkien. Has anyone here read it?

Never got round to it, I'vs only read about it in the Annoted Hobbit where as you say its sighted as a major influence on Tolkien. There's some illustrations from it in the Annoted Hobbit if memory serves, I will dig out the scanner and scan them in.

Sorry, No!

may have to try dig it out now though!

I must try and order this book Tolkien thought so well of. I'll try Amazon, I think. Thanks guys.

I believe it's related to this one (from 1904):

What a terrible imputation, David! It's actually quite interesting that folk compare Tolkien to Snerg, but never Snerg (as far as I know) to Oz. I also wonder if Tolkien was familiar with Baum? (To save on colour arguments, I wonder if Tolkien went for hairy feet rather than risk calling hobbit footwear red or silver --- though Bilbo's foot hair might have seemed golden in certain light conditions! )

Both have a tin man on the cover....

I haven't read it. Hammond and Scull give a brief summation of the story, noting afterwards (I can't recall if the following description quotes someone else or not) that the book is written tongue-in-cheek 'frequently mocking fair-tale and heroic traditions.'

A Snerg seems to be shortish, and there is an interesting section about parties apparently. Tolkien noted that the name Snerg could have better devised, and didn't like something (I forget what, if it's noted) that he referred to with a comparison to King Arthur, but generally spoke enthusiastically of the book.

I agree with Tolkien about the name, "Snerg." Sounds a bit like something you'd blow out your nostrils. Tolkien was always looking for the right name. Names (in stories especially) seem to need to have the right weight and feel and personality. "Harry Potter" while simple, caught my eye in the bookstore for some reason, so I took a closer look and ended up buying the first book to read to my daughter. (Then the second, and some of the third - she took over reading from there!) Bilbo Baggins is perfect. Sam Gamgee and Frodo Baggins are excellent too, though seem half-weigted to me. (I think Sam and Frodo as Bilbo split in two and spread over slightly too much toast). Names have power, and "Snerg'" would barely illuminate a light bulb - Bilbo is incandescent (evocative, eye-catching) for all it's surficial 'simpleness." Same with "Harry Potter" actually.

Oh yes: Hobbit. That catches your eye too. I had the book throughout Year 7 and had no desire to read it, but the name kept catching my eye (and Tolkien's picture of a fiery dragon over Lake Town too!) and finally I got past the first two pages (after several attempts!) The word "Hobbit" kept calling out to me!

Snergs were never going to catch on.

Come to think more on it, my second favorite author, Jack Vance, has shit names for his characters - with possible exception of Adam Reith and Zap210. Maybe this is why Jack isn't as widely revered as the likes of Tolkien and Rowling. His names don't generlly stick in your head, nor do they 'personalize' the characters/races/places often enough.

woot is this??

It's a lovely conversation we're having about Snergs and related matters, Nora. You took your time getting here.. 

Well, to be fair, she only took 2 days. While your (and now my) reply took three and a half years!