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maebee25's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kraigers737's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
kiranh's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
lifebydaph's review against another edition
3.5
this was a really easy and interesting read and the illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning
ishouldbereading's review against another edition
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mimirtells's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 Stars (%60/100)
I had a hard time rating this book. The cover is beautiful, the whole design of the book is brilliant and there are dozens of pretty illustrations together with maps, timelines, and so forth. Visually, the book is stunning and can be a great piece for Tolkien lovers. However, I have to admit that the things discussed in the book are not very great. Starting from Melkor and going all the way to the Third Age, Day compares the evil figures in Tolkien's works with figures from Greek and Norse mythology as well as Judeo-Christian images. The biggest problem I had with these is, as many others already pointed out, that there is not enough evidence or it feels a bit of stretch. For example, comparing Ungoliant with Kali the Hindu Goddess because they have eight legs/arms. Also, the comparison between Sauron and Solomon regarding the ring. There are many examples like this and it becomes repetitive after a while. However, it was still interesting to see certain connections and parallels despite the lack of evidence. I think the book would have been better if it only focused on the evil figures in Tolkien's works, like a summary or description of all the bad guys because the illustrations are beautiful and they are great to learn more about these somewhat complicated characters (honestly, that's what I thought the book was about before I've read it). Finally, even though there are some problems, I think rating the book extremely low is a bit harsh as I enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures.
I had a hard time rating this book. The cover is beautiful, the whole design of the book is brilliant and there are dozens of pretty illustrations together with maps, timelines, and so forth. Visually, the book is stunning and can be a great piece for Tolkien lovers. However, I have to admit that the things discussed in the book are not very great. Starting from Melkor and going all the way to the Third Age, Day compares the evil figures in Tolkien's works with figures from Greek and Norse mythology as well as Judeo-Christian images. The biggest problem I had with these is, as many others already pointed out, that there is not enough evidence or it feels a bit of stretch. For example, comparing Ungoliant with Kali the Hindu Goddess because they have eight legs/arms. Also, the comparison between Sauron and Solomon regarding the ring. There are many examples like this and it becomes repetitive after a while. However, it was still interesting to see certain connections and parallels despite the lack of evidence. I think the book would have been better if it only focused on the evil figures in Tolkien's works, like a summary or description of all the bad guys because the illustrations are beautiful and they are great to learn more about these somewhat complicated characters (honestly, that's what I thought the book was about before I've read it). Finally, even though there are some problems, I think rating the book extremely low is a bit harsh as I enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures.
eviecanactuallyread's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
isabeltyldesley's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars!
I opened this book because I wanted to know more about the fascinating evils in Tolkien's works. The Dark Powers of Tolkien is less of a comprehensive deep dive into the the dark powers within Middle Earth, and more about David Day's analysis of religion and literature. The book is full of sweeping generalisiations that presents opinions as fact on Day's speculation of Tolkien's inspirations. Whilst there are many parallels and likenesses to be drawn, Day writes that they "must" be Tolkien's basis, but with no strict sources to back this up, all we can really say is that they might be. Due to the nature of the dialogue, half of this book contains explanations of religion, mythology, and other pieces of literature. Though, as a lover of literature, this is interesting, it wasn't how the book itself was promoted to me. That, along with Day's generalisations, really brought the books rating down for me.
Simply, I expected more information about Tolkien's writing, world, and characters. This book would be better described a speculative analysis of Tolkien's work, rather than a canon piece of literature grouping all of Tolkien's 'dark powers' into one easy to read book. Despite these gripes, however, it did remain an easy and interesting to read book. Moreover, it was beautifully put together and the artwork was simply gorgeous. I'd almost recommend buying it just for that fact.
I opened this book because I wanted to know more about the fascinating evils in Tolkien's works. The Dark Powers of Tolkien is less of a comprehensive deep dive into the the dark powers within Middle Earth, and more about David Day's analysis of religion and literature. The book is full of sweeping generalisiations that presents opinions as fact on Day's speculation of Tolkien's inspirations. Whilst there are many parallels and likenesses to be drawn, Day writes that they "must" be Tolkien's basis, but with no strict sources to back this up, all we can really say is that they might be. Due to the nature of the dialogue, half of this book contains explanations of religion, mythology, and other pieces of literature. Though, as a lover of literature, this is interesting, it wasn't how the book itself was promoted to me. That, along with Day's generalisations, really brought the books rating down for me.
Simply, I expected more information about Tolkien's writing, world, and characters. This book would be better described a speculative analysis of Tolkien's work, rather than a canon piece of literature grouping all of Tolkien's 'dark powers' into one easy to read book. Despite these gripes, however, it did remain an easy and interesting to read book. Moreover, it was beautifully put together and the artwork was simply gorgeous. I'd almost recommend buying it just for that fact.
regitzexenia's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I had had this book when I was writing my thesis - on nature and evil in LotR. Insightful, to the point and rich enough in detail that I felt like I learned a lot.