Tolkien's Intellectual Landscape

by E.L. Risden

The work of J.R.R. Tolkien has had a profound effect on contemporary fiction and filmmaking. Often disparaged by critics, Tolkien's fiction created a market for the "fantasy trilogy" and his academic work represents an innovative contribution to the field of philology. In the 20th century, his fiction bridged the gap between "learned" and "popular" readerships. Today the fantasy genre continues to grow--even as publishers cut back on creative fiction--moving energetically into film, gaming and online fan fiction. This book describes how Tolkien's imaginative landscape continues to entertain and inspire, drawing new generations to Middle-earth.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2015

Reviews

[Mitch]

I'm a bit ambivalent on this one. On the one hand, I think plenty of salient and compelling points were made here. I specifically enjoyed the character comparison between Gawain (from SGGK specifically) and Frodo, and the fact that I've made the *exact* same points myself made me feel quite validated in my own analysis. Furthermore, the first and last chapters were both very strong and compelling. However, for the remaining chapters, there was often a lack of focus and a lack of a through-line that really connected the various points together. Additionally, some of the points made (like comparing Tolkien with the various modernist writers of the 20th century) felt both underbaked and felt like they should have been part of a different book entirely. The end result is a mixed bag, unfortunately.

[John]

I'm sympathetic to the themes Professor Risden follows. It's just that I wonder why we need an entire book on topics which tend to address the secondary literature, by such eminences as Tom Shippey, when there's much of the legendarium recently published which goes underexamined.

Risden's rooted in popular culture that in film and trends incorporates medieval influences. It's a classroom centered approach that I, trained as a medievalist but never having had the opportunity to gain a secure position in the field, know well in my more sporadic chances to match the interests I share with Risden and love to talk about with students and others openminded enough to accept that we in the humanities need to reach audiences beyond dwindling seminars or philology courses.

I wish the text had been tighter. Its numbering of points, the digressions into lots of tangential conversations as it were with scholars, and the shifts in focus across modernism and Tolkien's current impact all merit attention. And this might enrich the preparation of curricula by current instructors. It holds value, if intermittently delivering on its promising subject and relevant title.

[Cat 🐈]

This could give you interesting facts why you should read and pay particular attention to his written books.