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J.R.R.Tolkien: Author of the Century (Paperback)

by T.A. Shippey (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Frequently Bought Together

J.R.R.Tolkien: Author of the Century + The Road to Middle-Earth: How J. R. R. Tolkien Created a New Mythology + J R R Tolkien: A Biography
Price For All Three: £19.17

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Product details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd; New Ed edition (20 Aug 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0261104012
  • ISBN-13: 978-0261104013
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 44,534 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Synopsis
Following the unprecedented and universal acclaim for The "Lord of the Rings", Tolkien scholar, Professor Tom Shippey, presents us with a fascinating and informed companion to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, in particular focusing on "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Silmarillion". This title reveals why all of these books will be timeless, and shows how even such complex works as "The Silmarillion" can be read enjoyably. Taking issue with the uninformed criticism that has often been levelled at Tolkien and fantasy in general, Professor Shippey offers a new approach to Tolkien, to fantasy and to the importance of language in literature, and demonstrates how his books form part of a live and continuing tradition of storytelling that can trace its roots back through Grimm's "Fairy Tales" to the "Elder Edda" and "Beowulf".

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for Tolkien fans!, 24 Sep 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: J.R.R.Tolkien: Author of the Century (Hardcover)
Although a fair amount of this book's content has appeared previously--in "The Road to Middle-Earth"--I nevertheless recommend it highly. No author has done more to deepen my appreciation of Tokien's works than Tom Shippey. His knowledge of philology, especially, and explorations of Middle-Earth's philological roots are invaluable for helping one understand the sense one gets, while reading The Lord of the Rings, that Middle-Earth was real. Also, his study of Tolkien's conception of evil--and of the Ring as addictive--confirms what I myself thought about Gollum: that never elsewhere have I seen a better depiction of an addict, one that rang true for my personal experience. Even if you've read "The Road to Middle-Earth" there's enough new here--and in any case, Shippey's ideas are worth reading again--to make it worth purchasing. Highly recommended!
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Tolkien's critics answered, 19 Nov 2001
Tom Shippey does not only answer Tolkiens critics in this book, which he does very well, demonstrating the inconsistencies of their approaches which appear to arise from an inherent bias against a totally invented world - as they see it, he also describes in some detail the sources of Tolkien's inspiration in the old English and Norse legends of a thousand or more years ago. Spoiler alert - this book should not be read before the Lord of the Rings itself, or the Hobbit, since Tom Shippey discusses the plot in some detail as part of his analysis. An excellent book for Tolkien fans to read, since it contains enough obscure refrerences to deepen anyone's enjoyment of LOTR. Even better than The Road to Middle Earth - and contrary to what some people have said, the second book is not simply a rehash of the first to tie in with the film.
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The book that makes you want to read more, 19 Dec 2002
By Ed Fisher (Hamburg, NY USA) - See all my reviews
Tom Shippey has produced a masterpiece justification of why J.R.R.Tolkien deserves the honor of the title "Author of the Century", not only in the U.K. but on a worldwide basis. While many great books were published in the 20th century none were written by an author as time restrricted as Tolkien. To go one better, besides the magnificent "Lord of the Rings" he found time to write everything from simple poems & short stories to the world loved "The Hobbit". We also learned from the "History of Middle-Earth" series the voluminous amount of background material he developed to guarantee the LotR was as completely believeable with regard to real time, inserting sub-stories with the main text, creating languages for the different races. etc.

The area in which I found this book to shine is Mr.Shippey's referrals to numerous books by many authors which support, or are dismisssed as they relate to, Tolkien and/or his works. Most of all he actually made me want to go and reread many of the books he references, which was both a delight & a burdomsome task. For all the books I've read that relate to J.R.R.Tolkien and/or his works I can honestly say that this one stands out as the best I've read in recent times & from the size of my library that's quite a praise to award.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars reader-friendly fascinating erudition
if it had not been for the 'extras' on the dvd of jackson's LOTR, i would never have heard of tom shippey. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Q

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible yet nonetheless engages deeply with its subject
Tom Shippey has thought deeply about Tolkien's motivation in his fantasy writings and has a philologists's insight into the topic. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2004 by Steve

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting analysis of The Hobbit and LOTR
Not really biographical, more a critical analysis of Tolkeins works. Pro Tolkein without being hagiographic this book is interesting and perceptive and brought out quite a few... Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars 'In a hole in the ground lived a hobbit'
I just wish it was my blank page in my english exam that Tolkien wrote those infamous words. These have begun a journey which all Tolkien fans have followed. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2002 by R. P. Fowler

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