Reviews

Drzewo i Liść oraz Mythopoeia by J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien

tiffanyslack's review against another edition

5.0

I happened across this at just the right time. I just finished reading C.S. Lewis's recommendation of this when I found an old copy (my copy didn't have the poem too.) It started as an interesting, but pretty academic, essay on what constitutes a fairy-story, but it became much more relevant and thoughtful when he got to his explanation of the value of fairy-story and fantasy, and even of Art in general. Made very good connections to Christianity. Much food for thought and it completely changed my perspective on fantasy literature. Leaf by Niggle was also an interesting story worthy of deeper consideration. I would probably call it an allegory, but I am not sure Tolkien did.

alanadeluca's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

elladan's review against another edition

4.0

Si de la hierba podemos abstraer lo verde, del cielo lo azul y de la sangre lo rojo, es que disponemos ya del poder del encantador. A cierto nivel. Y nace el deseo de esgrimir ese poder en el mundo exterior a nuestras mentes. De aquí no se deduce que vayamos a usar bien de ese poder en un nivel determinado; podemos poner un verde horrendo en el rostro de un hombre y obtener un monstruo; podemos hacer que brille una extraña y temible luna azul; o podemos hacer que los bosques se pueblen de hojas de plata y que los carneros se cubran de vellocinos de oro; y podemos poner ardiente fuego en el vientre del helado saurio. Y con tal «fantasía», que así se la denomina, se crean nuevas formas. Es el inicio de Fantasía. El Hombre se convierte en sub-creador.

4/5.

Esta edición trae tres partes interesantes, un ensayo de Tolkien sobre la fantasía y su origen, del que extraigo el fragmento anterior, el relato de Hoja de Niggle y el poema Mitopoeia. El relato y el poema me han gustado mucho, pero para mí ha sido más interesante de leer el ensayo. Personalmente no es de mis obras favoritas de Tolkien, pero es muy interesante la manera en que entremezcla los orígenes de la fantasía, citando ejemplos y desglosando la diferencia entre mitos, leyendas y cuentos de hadas.

Recomendada si ya has leído antes a Tolkien.

wendylioness's review against another edition

5.0

The poem Mythopoeia and the essay On Fairy Stories alone is enough to give this collection five stars. The essay On Fairy Stories is for writers/storytellers who write fantasy/fairy stories, and for scholars or readers who are curious about the nature of fairy stories and want to learn more. Tolkien approaches it by talking about the Middle English poems and epics like the Faerie Queene and Thomas the Bard and others. I recommend this to anyone who loves Tolkien's fiction (the books, not just the movies). The poem Mythopoeia is a very important poem that I wish was published in more of the Tolkien collections, for this particular book Tree and Leaf is out of print now. However, the essay On Fairy Stories, and the story Leaf by Niggle are in the collection called Tales from the Perilous Realm (which also includes some poetry about Tom Bombadil, and some very good stories by Tolkien) which has been recently published and isn't out of print (I don't think).
Leaf by Niggle is an amusing story whose main character seems a little similar to Bilbo Baggins, as he is someone who doesn't want to go on a long journey. But that's the only thing this short story/fairy tale has in common with the Hobbit. Leaf by Niggle is somewhat an autobiographical story reflecting on the artist.

redheadreading's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting discussion on what makes a fairytale and the appeal therein! Niggle's Leaf was also a sweet little tale.

kezreading's review against another edition

3.0

É um conto muito legal, a escrita de Tolkien sempre me satisfaz bastante, mas a história não mexeu tanto comigo.

buffyfaithwillow's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

emakay's review against another edition

challenging informative slow-paced

• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

lizshayne's review against another edition

5.0

JRR *#€You have to like allegory (or, heh, at least CORDIALLY dislike it) and believing in the afterlife helps too, but what he does here with art and existence is perfect.
Also, on fairy stories basically defined a genre. So, you know. There’s that.