There's a Hole in My Bucket

A Journey of Two Brothers

By: Royd Tolkien

Narrated by: Drew Cullingham

An inspirational, life-affirming memoir from the great-grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Having grown up on their great-grandfather’s stories, Royd Tolkien and his brother, Mike, have always enjoyed adventures. So when Mike is diagnosed with motor neurone disease, also known as ALS, the brothers decide to use the time they have left to tick off as much as possible from Mike’s bucket list, from remote camping in Norway to travelling through Royd’s beloved New Zealand.

Yet, when Royd loses Mike, he discovers his brother had been writing another kind of bucket list: 50 things he wanted Royd to do after his death. His first task? Mike wants his mild-mannered brother to trip up on his way to the lectern to deliver his eulogy. What follows is a set of emotionally charged tests that will push Royd firmly out of his comfort zone.

This is the story of Royd’s journey to accomplish a challenging, humorous, and often heartbreaking list of unknown tasks that chart the brothers’ lives from childhood to adulthood. But above all, it is a story of the sibling bond, of grief - and of treasuring every moment.

©2021 by Royd Tolkien. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

I thoughtful and touching book

This is a beautiful book telling a story of the love between two brothers, One who tragically died too soon and gets his brother to fulfill his bucket list. It is full of stories of the amazing tasks that was waiting for him, Royd swallows his fears or embarrassment to complete the tasks. It also takes you through the beauty and exciting opportunities that New Zealand has to offer. Although there was some sad, emotional parts, I think you will enjoy this book.

Great love and dedication!

This book is about true love, the dedication that Royd had for Mike was amazing. I’ve learned more about ALS, and my heart breaks for anyone who has it. I would love to see the documentary!

Fulfill Lifes Dreams

the bucket list compiled by Mike Tolkien, takes his brother Royd Tolkien, on adventures that often take Royd out of his comfort zone. I admired Royd's courage and comitment to complete Mike's bucket list. Royd exhibits patients and compation as he cared for his brother with a terminal illness. I marveled at Royd's determiation care for and to keep Mike as comfortable as possible.

Beautiful

You will laugh, cry, and at some points, you’ll fume. I still have unanswered questions (How were some of these surprises organized? Why was Mike not given anesthetic for the lumbar puncture?, etc.), but despite this, I still recommend the book. This a testament to the strength of family and to deep, unquestioning love.

A sad story Of ALS

My brother in law died from ALS. It's a horrible death, they keep looking for answers. we got the diagnosis a week before he died after struggling so long. I am glad you knew and could prepare, Mike sounds awesome as was Kevin. Kevin had 6 brothers concerned as well as a wife. I am glad Mike had the bucket list for you. I know you will remember the good times with him. Thanks for sharing his story for those memories and the progress and stages of the horrible ALS.

Recommended

Fulfilling someone else's bucket list is a testament to a the brothers' deep relationship. life lessons come from enduring the hard times.

Life after lost is a New Journey

I feel a special connection to this story, because I also lost my brother to a tragic illness and I feel somehow related to the author's pain although our life experience is so different. I'm glad he seems to doing well despite his lost.

Love and Remembrance

Great love is rarely written so honestly. Through Royd we know Micheal, through Royd's love of Michael we know Royd. Two lives lived well. It's silly, joyful, wrenchingly sad, and a beacon of persistent devotion. And now I must visit New Zealand.

emotional and great

I really must say I wasn't expecting this story to be the way that it is but I'm glad that Roy was able to experience his brother bucket list it was a very emotional story but I'm happy that he shared it with us

A love story

This is the story of two brothers, one of whom gets a horrible terminal illness. He leaves a bucket list for his brother to complete on his behalf. It's sometimes quite sad, but also beautiful and sometimes funny. I found it well worth my time.