
Since the first volume appeared in 1954 Tolkien's trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, has become one of the most widely loved works of literature ever published.In Master of Middle-Earth, Paul Kocher considers Tolkien's fiction as a whole, showing the relationship of the short prose and verse narratives to the major works, and traces his major themes and preoccupations in a way that will be extremely illuminating to those who are already familiar with this most fascinating of epics.A splendid commentary, which will only delight and fascinate admirers of Tolkien - Sunday TelegraphThe book impels the reader to return and re-read Tolkien with a new insight - Library JournalCover design by Tony Meeuwissen. Photograph by Snowdon.
This work investigates the thematic cohesion and literary significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's entire body of work, including his lesser-known prose and verse. Paul Kocher, a scholar of English literature, utilizes a comprehensive analytical framework to connect the mythology of Middle-earth to Tolkien's broader creative output. By examining the structural and philosophical underpinnings of the legendarium, Kocher argues that Tolkien's fiction functions as a unified, complex system of sub-creation.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Critics and scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the depth of Tolkien's world-building. Readers often note that the prose is accessible to enthusiasts while maintaining the academic rigor expected of literary criticism.
Page Count:
224
Publication Date:
1974-01-01
Publisher:
Penguin
ISBN-10:
0140038779
ISBN-13:
9780140038774
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