Listen free for 30 days
-
There's a Hole in My Bucket
- A Journey of Two Brothers
- Narrated by: Drew Cullingham
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
There's a Hole in My Bucket
Buy Now for £27.59
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
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.
What listeners say about There's a Hole in My Bucket
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Louise
- 17-10-21
A good story. Very well written. Full of emotion.
Full of emotion and love for between brothers,. Really makes you appreciate life's blessings.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Trish
- 20-09-21
Very moving
I laughed and cried the whole way through this book. What an inspiration. Thank you for telling both your stories.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Josie
- 13-09-21
Brilliant
A wonderful story of how MND affects families and of the bond between Royd and Mike. Thank you for writing it and raising awareness.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- cecilia rogers
- 15-08-21
Brotherly love
Incredibly touching funny and emotional a friend bought me this book which as l myself was diagnosed with MND was sometimes hard to read my husband family and friends have been amazing but l know this journey will be tough for me but even harder for them to watch
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Austin
- 12-12-21
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.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 03-10-21
I didn't want the book to end
It has been a long time since I have read a book there had such a wonderful impact on me. I know I will read it again. And it will always be in my life. Having lost my brother who was the closest person to me , and I miss him every day. Thank you for writing this wonderful book
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jerry
- 22-12-22
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!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 21-10-22
heartbreaking and heartwarming
true love is hard to find. familial love sometimes harder. there's family rivalry, so and so likes them best situations.. but sometimes you have a real thing happening without even realizing it until the unthinkable happens.. this is that story. love between brothers was always there but a heartbreaking moment changed the entire family to realize their love all the time. great story.. sad and loving reality.. I cried and laughed which, if you don't have a heart, should do listening to this book. Tolkien or not.. it's a story of brotherly love and who doesn't love that? oh.. and it could any combo of family love.. this just happens to be about 2 brothers - famous by connection or not. still a wonderful listen. so glad I chose it!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Conscientious Consumer
- 03-10-22
Few are the books I whole heartedly recommend
Though this memoir carries the weight of the loss of his brother and the sorrow of terminal illness, Royd Tolkien expresses his deepest affection for his brother and shares his journey to complete the bucket list his brother left for him in such away that oft times made me laugh outloud. That his writing could do that despite my being wrapped up in my own sorrow and stress, when very little else could, makes this a precious gift that I hope others will find equally moving.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Gaby Mtz
- 17-06-22
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.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Indigo90
- 06-06-22
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.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Connie
- 11-05-22
Love of 2 brothers
What an amazing story and really brings awareness to NMD or ALS. As a nurse and caregiver of a significant other who had a devastating stroke I can appreciate the loving care given to Mike by his brother.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Allan
- 03-04-22
A beautiful and moving story
Thank you Royd for sharing your and Mike’s story. It is clear that you two shared a special bond. This is a wonderful and very moving intertwined story of Royd completing a bucket list of 50 things bequeathed to him by his late brother Mike who died of MND, and the process of caring for Mike as MND progressed to its inevitable conclusion. You should listen to the book - and also please go and help your local MND charity- thank you.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- H. L.
- 07-12-21
Recommended
Fulfilling someone else's bucket list is a testament to a the brothers' deep relationship. life lessons come from enduring the hard times.