Leaf by Niggle
by J.R.R. Tolkien · first published 2016
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
Short allegorical tale about an artist's devotion to his craft and his unfinished work; a quick read of about 30 minutes for anyone worried their life feels like a disappointment or who struggles with focus.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2009–2026Ishmael
Daniel Quinn
Recommended by 48 · mentioned by 6548 recommend · 65 mention48 recommend · 6548 recommend
The Master and Margarita
Edward Kemp
Recommended by 74 · mentioned by 11174 recommend · 111 mention74 recommend · 11174 recommend
2010–2026The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
Recommended by 31 · mentioned by 8231 recommend · 82 mention31 recommend · 8231 recommend
2008–2026The Dispossessed
Ursula K. Le Guin
Recommended by 58 · mentioned by 8758 recommend · 87 mention58 recommend · 8758 recommend
2007–2026The Silmarillion
J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien
Recommended by 28 · mentioned by 14428 recommend · 144 mention28 recommend · 14428 recommend
2007–2026The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Recommended by 64 · mentioned by 14364 recommend · 143 mention64 recommend · 14364 recommend
Ursula K Le Guin
Ursula K. Le Guin
Recommended by 93 · mentioned by 18493 recommend · 184 mention93 recommend · 18493 recommend
2007–2026Moby Dick
Herman Melville
Recommended by 116 · mentioned by 436116 recommend · 436 mention116 recommend · 436116 recommend
Leaf by Niggle is one of my favorite Tolkien short stories. It is a short 30 minute read about an artist's dedication to his craft.
on “Tolkien's Paintings” ↗…(https://www.gutenberg.org/files/20058/20058-h/20058-h.htm) - what is the right size for things in this world? A gentle introduction to the romance of the small and distributism. * _A Leaf, by Nigel_ (http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Leaf_by_Niggle) - Tolkien's allegory. * _The Space Trilogy_ by C. S. Lewis - the adult version of _The Chronicles of Narnia_ * _All Hallow's Eve_ (https://openroadmedia.com/ebook/All-Hallows-Eve/978150400668... /…
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗One that i love to put as reference, specially when dealing with time travel and the dangers of knowing the future, is PKDick's Meddler. Maybe is not the most emotive (Tolkien's Leaf by Niggle and Ted Chiang's Story of your life are superior in that) or the most far into the future one (Asimov's The last question should be required reading), nor even the funniest one (hard pick, Asimov's The…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite short stories?” ↗If you like the ending story of Minecraft you might be interested in Leaf by Niggle (Tolkien) which it reminds me of.
on “Microsoft doesn't own the ending to Minecraft” ↗Could it be a short story? Because Tolkien’s Leaf by Niggle somehow fits in that category. Or maybe is not just the story but what we know about the author.
on “Ask HN: What book bit, stung and shook you deeply?” ↗Leaf by Niggle, Tolkien. If you worry about your life being a disappointment, or you are often distracted / lack focus, read this :-)
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗