J.R.R. Tolkien
Subtitle: author of the century
By: T.A. Shippey.
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2000
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 347
Subjects: Tolkien, J. R. R. 1892-1973 -- Criticism and interpretation.; Fantasy fiction, English -- History and criticism.; Middle Earth (Imaginary place)
Description: "The core of Tolkien: Authors of the Century consists of three chapters that examine The Lord of the Rings as a linguistic and cultural map, as a twisted web of story, and as a response to the meaning of myth. It presents a truly unique argument to explain the nature of evil and also gives the reader a compelling insight into the complex interlacing of the many strands of the story as the narrative moves between characters, and of the unparalleled level of skill necessary to construct such a rich and complex story. The other chapters examine The Hobbit, explaining the hobbits' anachronistic relationship to the heroic world of Middle-earth, the fundamental importance of The Silmarillion to the canon of Tolkien's work, and an illuminating look at Farmer Giles, Leaf by Niggle and other lesser-known works in their connection to Tolkien's own life."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 329-336) and index.
Table of contents: title: Machine generated contents note: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi; title: FOREWORD:; title: AUTHOR OF THE CENTURY vii; title: I THE HOBBIT: RE-INVENTING MIDDLE-EARTH 1; title: II THE LORD OF THE RINGS (1): MAPPING OUT A PLOT 50; title: III THE LORD OF THE RINGS (2): CONCEPTS OF EVIL 112; title: IV THE LORD OF THE RINGS (3): THE MYTHIC DIMENSION 161; title: V THE SILMARILLION: THE WORK OF HIS HEART 226; title: VI SHORTER WORKS: DOUBTS, FEARS, AUTOBIOGRAPHIES 264; title: AFTERWORD:; title: THE FOLLOWERS AND THE CRITICS 305.