Tolkien, Race and Cultural History
From Fairies to Hobbits
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Palgrave Macmillan
Published:20th Nov '08
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£109.99(9780230219519)
This insightful book examines the evolution of Tolkien's mythology, revealing how his life experiences and cultural context shaped his imaginative works.
In Tolkien, Race and Cultural History, the author delves into the intricate evolution of J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology, tracing its transformation throughout his life. By examining the interplay between Tolkien's personal experiences and the broader cultural and intellectual currents of his time, the book reveals how these factors influenced his imaginative works. This fresh perspective uncovers often overlooked dimensions of Tolkien's creative vision, shedding light on the complexities of his narratives and the themes within them.
The narrative takes readers on a journey through Tolkien's life, highlighting key events and societal shifts that shaped his writing. Fimi's exploration offers a nuanced understanding of how Tolkien's background and the world around him informed his legendary tales. The analysis goes beyond mere literary critique, situating Tolkien's work within the context of race, culture, and history, thus enriching the reader’s appreciation of his contributions to literature.
By providing a comprehensive examination of Tolkien's mythology, Tolkien, Race and Cultural History not only contextualizes his fiction but also invites readers to engage with the deeper meanings behind his stories. Fimi's work serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the significance of understanding the influences that shape an author's vision.
Winner ofthe Mythopoeic Scholarship Award for Inklings Studies 2010
Short listed for the Katharine Briggs Award 2009
'Dimitra Fimi's Tolkien, Race and Cultural History traces the evolution of the legendarium with admirable care...This scholarly yet approachable book is filled with...surprising fragments.' - Jon Barnes, Times Literary Supplement
'Fimi's book reads so well that it's hard to believe that it's an academic tome' - Henry Gee, Mallorn
'constitutes an important contribution to Tolkien studies...the author brings together (often for the first time) relevant research from cultural history and lays out her arguments fair and square...Fimi's book has given us some answers but has also opened up some avenues for future research. What more can we ask for?' Thomas Honegger, Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat, Germany
'...a rich study into Tolkien's creative impulses and the influences that worked on those impulses in the course of a long creative life...any reader interested in the work of J. R. R. Tolkien...is in for a treat. The book is intelligently argued and full of interesting ideas and approaches, offering fresh insights into Tolkien's authorship...you will find plenty of stimulating and thought-provoking material to make the book well worth reading.'
- Nils-Lennart Johannesson, English Today
'Until now, Tolkien has generally been studied in isolation, or as the father of modern fantasy-writing, but this book shows how his work was rooted in the mental world of his contemporaries and the immediately preceding generation. As Tolkien scholarship becomes more analytical, Fimi's study provides essential new insights.' - Jacqueline Simpson, The Folklore Society
ISBN: 9780230272842
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
240 pages