SMITH OF WOOTTON MAJOR

by J.R.R. Tolkien | Science Fiction & Fantasy |
ISBN: 0007202474 Global Overview for this book
Registered by olagorie of Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg Germany on 1/13/2010
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26 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by olagorie from Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Wednesday, January 13, 2010
In 1964 J.R.R. Tolkien was invited to write the preface to a new edition of "The Golden Key" by George MacDonald. Accepting the invitation, Tolkien proposed the preface would explain the meaning of Fairy through a brief story about a cook and a cake. But the story grew, and took on a life of its own, and the preface was abandoned. Tolkien eventually gave it the title, "Smith of Wootton Major", to suggest an early work by P.G. Wodehouse or a story in the Boy's Own paper. It was published in 1967 as a small hardback, complete with charming black and white illustrations by Pauline Baynes. (Amazon.co.uk)

Reviews

"The book has a haunting quality, characteristic of the best of the 'deeper' folktales. It is a beautiful, memorable story."
Times Educational Supplement

"It may be compared to the most delicate miniature but it is one of a rare kind: the more closely it is examined the more it reveals the grandeur of its conception. Whoever reads it at eight will still be going back to it at eighty."
New Statesman

*********

This book made me smile

I just finished to read this small book from Mister Tolkien (yes, there are books beyond The Lord of the Rings; -). It's pretty old and (too) short- only 62 pages. With many really beautiful drawings.

It entchanted me *sigh*, so I'll expand the current German Bookring to a European one.

Please treat it with respect - and I hope you'll pass it on after 4 weeks :-)

*********

Ich habe gerade dieses Buch fertig gelesen. Besser als oben stehende Rezensionen könnte ich es auch nicht schreiben.

Es ist auf Englisch und schon ziemlich alt (1967, scheint die Erstauflage zu sein), dafür (viel zu) kurz - nur 62 Seiten. Mit vielen schönen Zeichnungen.

Da es mich ganz verzaubert hat, biete ich es als Ring an. Bitte per PM oder hier melden:

http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/14/6650902/1

************

This book travels to:

1. auweia (Friedberg, Hessen, Germany)
2. Mentasoler (Bad Grönenbach, Bayern, Germany)
3. Qantaqa (Planegg, Bayern, Germany)
4. Charly83 (Nordhorn, Niedersachsen, Germany)
5. Komma (Würzburg, Bayern, Germany)
6. kittybrombeere (Aschaffenburg, Bayern, Germany)
7. DA-Cameron (Ditzingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
8. quak (München, Bayern, Germany) CURRENTLY

Then this Bookring expands to a European Bookring ... and continues with:

9. Tsjara (Heiloo, Noord-Holland, Netherlands)
10. sha-re (Best, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands)
11. hakkalina (Budapest, Budapest (Capital City), Hungary
12. Moriquen (Borgerhout, Antwerpen / Anvers, Belgium)
13. abigailann (Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom - to UK only
14. flambard (Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom)
15. bookowl1000 (Chepstow, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom)
16. chich (Perpignan, Languedoc-Roussillon, France)
17. wildwolverine (Oslo, Oslo fylke, Norway)
18. Corinne2010 (Utrecht, Netherlands)
19. miertje (Houten, Utrecht Netherlands)
20. Totje2 (Leeuwarden, Fryslân Friesland Netherlands)
21. souram (Genève, Switzerland)
22. greenbadger, (United Kingdom) ?
23. disneyfreaksam (Warminster, Wiltshire United Kingdom)
24. zabriina (Wien Austria)
25. ivosousa ( Lisboa Portugal)
26. you?

http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/15/424360/
http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/423990/




Journal Entry 2 by olagorie at Friedberg, Hessen Germany on Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (2/13/2010 UTC) at Friedberg, Hessen Germany

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Dieses Buch möchte die weite Welt und viele andere Bücher und Bücherverrückte kennen lernen.

Hello! Bookcrossing is a online community of book lovers dedicated to sharing books with each other and the world at large. We are curious to see how far and wide it will travel and how its readers like it. Kindly make a journal entry to let us know it's found a new reader.

If you journal this book as a member, then you will hear from the book as it travels around. Happy reading!



Journal Entry 3 by wingauweiawing from Lübz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Germany on Saturday, February 13, 2010
beim meetup heute in Friedberg persönlich überreicht bekommen, vielen Dank für die Chance dieses tolle Buch kennenzulernen! Ich glaube an deiner Stelle hätte ich mich nicht von diesem Buch trennen können. Werde es bald lesen, da es ja sehr klein ist und sich gut als Zwischendurchlektüre eignet.

Journal Entry 4 by wingauweiawing from Lübz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Germany on Friday, February 19, 2010
so ein wunderbares Kleinod ! Die Geschichte war ein wunderbarer Zeitvertreib heute Nachmittag mit Tee und Schokolade. Habe mich tatsächlich ein bißchen in meine Kindheit zurückversetzt gefühlt, sozusagen verzaubert :-)
Die nächste Adresse hatte ich schon Anfang der Woche angefragt, so kann das Buch seine Reise bedauerlicherweise morgen fortsetzen.

and now the very special translation for the european ring :
such a nice piece of jewellery! The story had been a nice amusement for this afternoon accompanied by tea and chocolate. I felt like been relegate to my childhood, so to speak "enchant" :-)
I regret that this book can´t stay longer, because I´m oblige sending it to the next adress.

Journal Entry 5 by wingauweiawing at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 20, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (2/20/2010 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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viel Spaß beim Lesen :-)

enjoy reading :-)

Journal Entry 6 by Mentasoler from Bad Grönenbach, Bayern Germany on Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Ist gut angekommen

Journal Entry 7 by Mentasoler at Bad Grönenbach, Bayern Germany on Saturday, April 3, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (4/3/2010 UTC) at Bad Grönenbach, Bayern Germany

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Ging heute in die Post. War ein sehr schönes Buch und relativ einfach zu lesen.

Journal Entry 8 by Qantaqa from Dachau, Bayern Germany on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Oh mein Gott, ist mir das peinlich! Ich war wirklich fest der Meinung, dass dieses Buch noch nicht bei mir eingetroffen war. Sowas ist mir noch nie passiert: ich muss den Umschlag aus dem Briefkasten gezogen und unten in den Kinderwagen gelegt haben. Dort habe ich ihn dann total vergessen und heute wieder gefunden. Es tut mir sehr sehr leid, insbesondere auch, dass du dir meinetwegen Sorgen machen musstest, olagorie! Ich werde mich gleich heute Mittag hinsetzen und das Buch lesen, damit es dann bald weiterreisen kann.
Sorry!

Journal Entry 9 by Qantaqa from Dachau, Bayern Germany on Thursday, May 13, 2010
I finished this little gem of a book yesterday evening and felt very sorry that it was such a short story - I would have liked for it to be a lot longer :). Tolkien really is a master storyteller.
Thanks a lot for sharing, olagorie! And sorry again for the delay! I already sent Charly83 a PM asking for her address, so the book will hopefully continue its journey tomorrow.

Journal Entry 10 by Charly83 from Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Germany on Monday, May 17, 2010
This little book arrived today. Thanks to Qantaqa for sending.

Journal Entry 11 by Charly83 at Nordhorn, Niedersachsen Germany on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
This is awesome. Since Lord of the Rings almost everyone knows what kind of fantastic stories Tolkien is able to write. But this little book is so beautifull. I couldn't stop reading it. It's great.

It travels on as soon as I have the next reader's adress.

Journal Entry 12 by Komma at Würzburg, Bayern Germany on Thursday, June 10, 2010
Ein nettes kleines Büchlein lag heute in meinem Briefkasten

Journal Entry 13 by Komma at Würzburg, Bayern Germany on Sunday, June 20, 2010
Beatiful, this book. I heard parts of this story before, I can´t remember where. This nice little story is a mix of a tale of Äskulap and a fairy tale. Thank you for this bookring.

Journal Entry 14 by Komma at Aschaffenburg, Bayern Germany on Thursday, June 24, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (6/24/2010 UTC) at Aschaffenburg, Bayern Germany

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Der Buchring reist zu kittybrombeere, schönen Urlaub noch und viel Vergnügen beim Lesen!

Journal Entry 15 by wingkittybrombeerewing at Aschaffenburg, Bayern Germany on Monday, June 28, 2010
Angekommen (was ein niedliches Buch!)

Ich hatte es vor Jahren auf deutsch gelesen; das Wiedersehen hat mir viel Freude gemacht. Tolkien hatte die perfekte Illustratorin für seine Kinderbücher, oder?

Journal Entry 16 by DA-Cameron at Ditzingen, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Friday, August 27, 2010
The book arrived on Wednesday, August 25. I'm sorry for the belated JE.

2010-08-31:
A charming little book! :-) I enjoyed every single word of it.

Journal Entry 17 by DA-Cameron at Ditzingen, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Friday, September 3, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (9/3/2010 UTC) at Ditzingen, Baden-Württemberg Germany

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The book is on its way again. :-)

Journal Entry 18 by quak at München, Bayern Germany on Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Sorry, I forgot to write a journal entry. The book will be ready to travel on very soon.

Journal Entry 19 by Tsjara at Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Thursday, October 14, 2010
This cute little book arrived here safely :)
Thanks quak for sending it on and olagorie for organizing the bookring!

Journal Entry 20 by Tsjara at Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Monday, November 1, 2010
This was a really nice little story. I enjoyed it a lot, and finished reading it in one sitting :)
I have sha-re's address now and will mail this out tomorrow.

Journal Entry 21 by Tsjara at Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (11/2/2010 UTC) at Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands

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On its way to sha-re now.
Happy reading!

Journal Entry 22 by sha-re at Best, Noord-Brabant Netherlands on Sunday, November 7, 2010
the book has arrived! Cute little book it is.
I intend to read it soon......
it was a nice, nice story to read.
thank you for sending this little book around.

Journal Entry 23 by sha-re at Best, Noord-Brabant Netherlands on Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (11/11/2010 UTC) at Best, Noord-Brabant Netherlands

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for the next in line of this Ring.

Journal Entry 24 by hakkalina at Budapest, Pest Hungary on Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Arrived! Arrived! Arrived!! :) How little cute book it is... :))

Journal Entry 25 by hakkalina at Budapest, Pest Hungary on Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Though it is a fairy tale, nevertheless I wasn't charmed, interesting, but rather a strange story it was.

Journal Entry 26 by hakkalina at Budapest, Pest Hungary on Thursday, December 2, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (12/2/2010 UTC) at Budapest, Pest Hungary

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The book is travelling to its next reader!

Journal Entry 27 by wingMoriquenwing at Borgerhout, Antwerpen / Anvers Belgium on Thursday, December 9, 2010
Smith of Wootton Major has made it into Belgium. Thanks for sending it my way hakkalina!

Journal Entry 28 by wingMoriquenwing at Borgerhout, Antwerpen / Anvers Belgium on Tuesday, December 14, 2010
This is indeed a typical folktale. Something we aren't that familiar with these days. Filled with strange warnings and weird life lessons, always a little sad. Never the less I loved reading it. Thanks for sharing it with me Olagorie. Abigailann has already been contacted and I will send this ring to her as soon as possible.

Journal Entry 29 by wingMoriquenwing at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (1/4/2011 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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This book is on its way to the next participant. Hope you'll enjoy it!

Journal Entry 30 by abigailann at Abingdon, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, January 13, 2011

Thanks for sending this to me, will send on asap after I've read it

Journal Entry 31 by abigailann at Abingdon, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, January 27, 2011

A charming short(er) story of the fairy-tale ilk, this is an interesting read for Tolkien fans. Its not what I was expecting- nothing deep or complex- but I liked it all the same.

Journal Entry 32 by abigailann at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Saturday, January 29, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (1/29/2011 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Popped in the post yesterdat

Journal Entry 33 by Flambard at Horsham, West Sussex United Kingdom on Monday, January 31, 2011
Thank you olagorie and abigailann! Arrived safely! Will read after I've finished my current book.

Luting?

Journal Entry 34 by Flambard at Horsham, West Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A lovely, heart-warming folk tale with beautiful illustrations evoking the middle ages.

Journal Entry 35 by Flambard at By Mail, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (2/8/2011 UTC) at By Mail, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases

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To bookowl1000

Journal Entry 36 by bookowl1000 at Bangkok, (Bangkok) Krung Thep Mahanakhon Thailand on Friday, February 18, 2011
The book has arrived safely here in Bangkok. Thanks for sending it my way even though Thailand was not on the original posting order. The stamps are nice too.

Journal Entry 37 by bookowl1000 at Chepstow, Wales United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A well written, light hearted folk tale, though a bit odd in places. An enjoyable tale for adults and children, though perhaps a bit too subtle for young children to appreciate. Loved the pen and ink illustrations.


Journal Entry 38 by bookowl1000 at Bangkok, (Bangkok) Krung Thep Mahanakhon Thailand on Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (2/22/2011 UTC) at Bangkok, (Bangkok) Krung Thep Mahanakhon Thailand

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Will be posted to chich in France today.

I would have loved to have included some nice stamps but my Thai is not up to that; I just wave the package around and hope that they realise that as I am in a post office, I want to post it.

I found this book in my mailbox last night after being away for a few days:) Many thanks for passing it on bookowl1000 (loved the package made with Thai newspapers and the lovely bookmark!) and thanks for hosting this ring olagorie!

I will finish the book I'm reading right now and will get right on to this one:)

Journal Entry 40 by chich at Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
What a delightful little book! I loved the tale and enjoyed the illustrations very much:) One thing I find quite strange is that Tolkien chose the title to suggest an early work by Wodehouse. Why Wodehouse? I just fail to understand it... Anyway, many many thanks for sharing this little gem with us olagorie!

I already have wildwolverine's address and will be sending her the book today.

Journal Entry 41 by chich at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (3/9/2011 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Book sent to wildwolverine today, enjoy! :)

Journal Entry 42 by olagorie at Oberursel, Hessen Germany on Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Quote chich: One thing I find quite strange is that Tolkien chose the title to suggest an early work by Wodehouse. Why Wodehouse?

Well, that bit wasn't easy to find out about ... most Tolkien pages seem to simply copy the wikipedia text.

So here's what I found out:

"(3) Since Tolkien stated that the title of SMITH OF WOOTTON MAJOR was "intended to suggest an early Woodhouse" [LETTERS p. 370], it seems likely that he read at least some P. G. Wodehouse."

Source: http://sacnoths.blogspot.com/2010/06/did-tolkien-read-steinbeck.html

But why? And did he really mean P. G. Wodehouse and not some other author named Woodhouse? Perhaps William John Woodhouse? But since I didn't find any evidence Tolkien had any relation to an author called Woodhouse (and different spellings are quite common), I stuck with the P. G. Wodehouse connection.

So... my guesses:

He wrote the famous Jeeves / Bertie Wooster series. It's quite reasonable to believe that Tolkien knew the series. So that might explain the "Wootton" part of the title.

Rupert Psmith is one of Wodehouse's best-loved characters. That might account for the "Smith" ?

Any more guesses from you?





Journal Entry 43 by wildwolverine at -- wild release somewhere in Oslo, Oslo fylke Norway on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
This book is in my care for a while now. Thank you chich, i'm looking forward to read this one.

Journal Entry 44 by wildwolverine at -- wild release somewhere in Oslo, Oslo fylke Norway on Thursday, April 14, 2011
A beautiful little story. I really like it when there are no good, no evil; just a tale of ordinary people who experience some strange things.

I'll PM the next on the list and send it of as soon as i get the address.

Journal Entry 45 by wildwolverine at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, April 18, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (4/18/2011 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Sent of to the next on the list.

Journal Entry 46 by Corinne2010 at Utrecht, Utrecht Netherlands on Saturday, May 21, 2011
The book arrived about a week ago. I will read it soon.
Thanks wildwolverine for sending it to me!

Journal Entry 47 by Corinne2010 at Utrecht, Utrecht Netherlands on Monday, June 13, 2011
A wonderful short story. So full of imagination, some suspense. Wonderful drawings as well. Thanks for letting it travel to us, olagorie.

I wish Smith didn't have to travel on. But he will - soon - to miertje.

Journal Entry 48 by miertje at Houten, Utrecht Netherlands on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
This little book arrived about a week ago. I really enjoyed reading it!
It will soon travel on to Totje2. Thanks for ringing the book olagorie!

Journal Entry 49 by miertje at Houten, Utrecht Netherlands on Monday, July 4, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (7/4/2011 UTC) at Houten, Utrecht Netherlands

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Sent of to the next on the list, Totje2.
Enjoy this little book Totje2!

Journal Entry 50 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Thursday, July 7, 2011
This little book arrived today. Looks like a nice book to read, jdgig by all the comments. I'll read it soon and then I'll be back to review it.
Thanks, olagorie for sharing it as a ring and miertje for sending it to me.

Journal Entry 51 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Sunday, July 24, 2011
I loved this little story, this fairy-tale.

When I was a small child, I loved fairy tales, legends, sagas. After reading a lot of them and growing up, I do not like fairy tales as much as I used to. But this one was new to me. A very original little story that I read with great pleasure.

As soon as I get to the post office, this book will continue its journey to the next in line. Thank you so much for sharing!

Journal Entry 52 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Sunday, July 24, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (7/25/2011 UTC) at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands

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On its way to souram, the next in line for this ring.
Happy reading!

Journal Entry 53 by wingsouramwing at Genève, Genève Switzerland on Saturday, July 30, 2011
I found the book today in my mailbox, thanks Totje2 !

Journal Entry 54 by wingsouramwing at Genève, Genève Switzerland on Monday, August 1, 2011
I liked the book. A wonderful short story.

Journal Entry 55 by wingsouramwing at Genève, Genève Switzerland on Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (8/3/2011 UTC) at Genève, Genève Switzerland

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To be sent to greenbadger, UK.

Journal Entry 56 by winggreenbadgerwing at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Received this as part of a bookring.

This is a delightful tale of faery from Tolkein. A bit different from his stories set in Middle Earth and aimed at children but still an enjoyable read.

Journal Entry 57 by winggreenbadgerwing at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 1, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (9/1/2011 UTC) at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire United Kingdom

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Sent on to disneyfreaksam who is next in the book ring.

Journal Entry 58 by disneyfreaksam at Warminster, Wiltshire United Kingdom on Friday, September 2, 2011
Thank you so much. I received this today. I will get it read and pass it on.

Journal Entry 59 by disneyfreaksam at Warminster, Wiltshire United Kingdom on Saturday, September 3, 2011
Gorgeous story, beautiful descriptions. So glad to have read this one. My first Tolkien.

I have got the address for the next person so I will send this off next week.

Journal Entry 60 by disneyfreaksam at Warminster, Wiltshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 8, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (9/8/2011 UTC) at Warminster, Wiltshire United Kingdom

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Enjoy x

Journal Entry 61 by zabriina at Wien Bezirk 22 - Donaustadt, Wien Austria on Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The book has just arrived in Vienna. I'll be reading it very soon. Thanks Disneyfreaksam for sending it!

Journal Entry 62 by zabriina at Wien Bezirk 15 - Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, Wien Austria on Sunday, September 18, 2011
I like how nothing is all black or all white with Tolkien, and he has a real sense of story-telling, so i enjoyed this folk tale a lot! And the book itself is a real treasure, with the drawings. Thanks you very much Olagorie for sharing! I'll be sending it soon to ivosousa.

Journal Entry 63 by zabriina at -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Wien Austria on Monday, September 26, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (9/26/2011 UTC) at -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Wien Austria

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Sent to ivosousa

Journal Entry 64 by ivosousa at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thanks. I receive the book today.

Journal Entry 65 by ivosousa at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Friday, October 14, 2011
Very good and funny.

Journal Entry 66 by olagorie at Oberursel, Hessen Germany on Friday, October 28, 2011

The book has finished its journey around Europe plus Thailand after 1 year and nine month and is safely back.

It has visited 12 countries :-) Thank you all for joining this ring.

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