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bahnree's review against another edition
4.0
A great analysis, discussion, and defense of Tolkien's books. It's good for both Tolkien super-geeks like me or just general fans: Shippey explains everything you need to know to enjoy the book, and get a lot more out of Tolkien. A lot of what he focuses on are different sources for the works, such as words since Tolkien was a super-philologist, themes of the books, and arguments against Tolkien which Shippy defends against.
heregrim's review against another edition
5.0
A great influence and insight on Tolkien and on the Lord of the Rings.
nwhyte's review against another edition
http://nhw.livejournal.com/148170.html[return][return]this is a very good book, well worth the investment. Shippey argues strongly that Tolkien wanted to achieve the same for the relationship of England with the history of English that L
j_edidja's review against another edition
4.0
Don't read this if you're looking for a Tolkien biography and definitely don't read this if you haven't read the Lord of the Rings yet. But do read this if you are a massive Tolkien nerd like me! The part about Tolkien's conceptualization of evil and the links to Christianity and neopaganism were probably my favorite parts :)
nate_s's review against another edition
4.0
This volume follows about 30 years on Shippey's other major work of Tolkien criticism, The Road To Middle-Earth, and shares much of its character: filled with expert philological insight, sharply perceptive for Tolkien's use of sources and creative process, and a really fun read for those who like this kind of thing.
Author of the Century is not quite as thorough, and rehearses material from the older work somewhat. Also, I don't know how necessary it is to establish Tolkien as an "author of the century," at least not with a dedicated book. (Shippey clarifies his meaning: not that Tolkien is *the greatest* author of the century, but that his works bear an unmistakably 20th century character). Though comparisons between Tolkien and Joyce, Orwell, and a few others do make the point well.
These minor matters don’t detract from the book's qualities though. I’d rate it more like a 4.5, simply because I feel the need to notch it down from the The Road To Middle-Earth, five-star tour-de-force that it is. Shippey is well established as required reading for Tolkien scholars and uber-fans, and while both books are easy for me to recommend, if you're going to choose one, read The Road To Middle-Earth.. Its thoroughness is unparalleled- a flat-out exciting read for any insatiable JRRT nerd.
Author of the Century is not quite as thorough, and rehearses material from the older work somewhat. Also, I don't know how necessary it is to establish Tolkien as an "author of the century," at least not with a dedicated book. (Shippey clarifies his meaning: not that Tolkien is *the greatest* author of the century, but that his works bear an unmistakably 20th century character). Though comparisons between Tolkien and Joyce, Orwell, and a few others do make the point well.
These minor matters don’t detract from the book's qualities though. I’d rate it more like a 4.5, simply because I feel the need to notch it down from the The Road To Middle-Earth, five-star tour-de-force that it is. Shippey is well established as required reading for Tolkien scholars and uber-fans, and while both books are easy for me to recommend, if you're going to choose one, read The Road To Middle-Earth.. Its thoroughness is unparalleled- a flat-out exciting read for any insatiable JRRT nerd.
nikkivrc's review against another edition
4.0
As a major Tolkien fan, this was really interesting to read. It provided some background information to his works, which I will definitely keep in mind next time I read one of his books. The only thing that got a little old sometimes was the abundance of etymology. It's Tolkien, so I get it, but there was just a little too much of it for my tastes. Also, I had absolutely no idea Tolkien was so despised by the world of 'serious' literature.
thebriceiswrite's review against another edition
5.0
Do you like Tolkien's work?
Have you read more than just the Lord of the Rings?
Then read this, and the sky will erupt into champagne and butterflies.
Have you read more than just the Lord of the Rings?
Then read this, and the sky will erupt into champagne and butterflies.
jsjammersmith's review against another edition
5.0
When Harold Bloom is forced to address the title of your book when writing a literary critique of The Lord of the Rings, regardless of the entire content of your book, you have truly accomplished something.
I've recently started digging into the discourse which surrounds J.R.R. Tolkien as I slowly plow through The Lord of the Rings for the second time in my life. I picked this book up along with a small mountain of books at my local library and began reading this one. It was a bit of a slog at first, but after a while I found I could read long passages without pausing or needing a break. Tom Shipley's work is important for Tolkien studies, because it contextualizes the entire body of Tolkien's work, while also understanding how the book operate and where they come from.
Shippey explores Tolkien's fascination with languages and ancient texts, showing how the man constantly derived inspiration from such works. Looking into the man's approach to writing, the names of his characters, the origins of the various monsters and creatures he borrowed or crafted on his own, and of course tackling the epic monster that is The Silmarillion Shippey finds not only the relevance of Tolkien's book, he manages to find the art. The final chapter in facts places The Lord of the Rings alongside works such as Ulysses and The Waste Land in order to assess the first claim of the book, namely, that Tolkien is the Author of the 20th century.
This is obviously a difficult argument especially when one remembers the great body of writers that existed during that century, who contributed their voices and prose. That list includes authors such as Allen Ginsberg, Sylvia Plath, George Orwell, T.S. Eliot, Vladimir Nabokov, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway just to name a few. I can't say for myself whether I would argue that Tolkien is the "Author of the century," however I do feel comfortable enough arguing for the fact that Tolkien established a universe that has been borrowed from, stolen from, parodied, and marveled at since it's publication in the 1950s.
Middle Earth has persisted in the face of critics, in spite of them, and the makers of the new technologies and innovations that have made this new age all owe a debt to Tolkien in some form or capacity. The "Old Professor" impacted the zeitgeist and we're still feeling it. So in the end Shippey does at least prove to his reader this.
I've recently started digging into the discourse which surrounds J.R.R. Tolkien as I slowly plow through The Lord of the Rings for the second time in my life. I picked this book up along with a small mountain of books at my local library and began reading this one. It was a bit of a slog at first, but after a while I found I could read long passages without pausing or needing a break. Tom Shipley's work is important for Tolkien studies, because it contextualizes the entire body of Tolkien's work, while also understanding how the book operate and where they come from.
Shippey explores Tolkien's fascination with languages and ancient texts, showing how the man constantly derived inspiration from such works. Looking into the man's approach to writing, the names of his characters, the origins of the various monsters and creatures he borrowed or crafted on his own, and of course tackling the epic monster that is The Silmarillion Shippey finds not only the relevance of Tolkien's book, he manages to find the art. The final chapter in facts places The Lord of the Rings alongside works such as Ulysses and The Waste Land in order to assess the first claim of the book, namely, that Tolkien is the Author of the 20th century.
This is obviously a difficult argument especially when one remembers the great body of writers that existed during that century, who contributed their voices and prose. That list includes authors such as Allen Ginsberg, Sylvia Plath, George Orwell, T.S. Eliot, Vladimir Nabokov, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway just to name a few. I can't say for myself whether I would argue that Tolkien is the "Author of the century," however I do feel comfortable enough arguing for the fact that Tolkien established a universe that has been borrowed from, stolen from, parodied, and marveled at since it's publication in the 1950s.
Middle Earth has persisted in the face of critics, in spite of them, and the makers of the new technologies and innovations that have made this new age all owe a debt to Tolkien in some form or capacity. The "Old Professor" impacted the zeitgeist and we're still feeling it. So in the end Shippey does at least prove to his reader this.
e_austin's review against another edition
5.0
“What Tolkien certainly did was introduce a new, or possibly re-introduce an old and forgotten taste into the literary world.”
On every page of this book, I found something deep and fascinating to learn about Tolkien and the way he interacted with both the primary world and the secondary one of his own creation. I've come away profoundly grateful to Tom Shippey for his energizing, brilliant analysis of Tolkien's true influence on the twentieth century. Shippey has done so much in the way of raising Tolkien to the literary and academic status he deserves.
I know my own appreciation for my favorite sub-creator has been exponentially enriched, and I look forward to continually learning more.
On every page of this book, I found something deep and fascinating to learn about Tolkien and the way he interacted with both the primary world and the secondary one of his own creation. I've come away profoundly grateful to Tom Shippey for his energizing, brilliant analysis of Tolkien's true influence on the twentieth century. Shippey has done so much in the way of raising Tolkien to the literary and academic status he deserves.
I know my own appreciation for my favorite sub-creator has been exponentially enriched, and I look forward to continually learning more.
setgalvin22's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars. Honestly I feel awkward rating literary criticism and analysis...