A Wilderness of Dragons: Essays in Honor of Verlyn Flieger

by Editor John D. Rateliff

A lively and wide-ranging collection of scholarly essays by prominent academics and independent scholars inspired by, and written in tribute to, Professor Verlyn Flieger, the renowned scholar of the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. As the Editor, John D. Rateliff, himself an eminent Tolkien scholar, states in the “This book celebrates the career and honors the achievements of our friend Dr. Verlyn Flieger. A simple introduction cannot do justice to her life and legacy but may perhaps suggest why so many of her fellow Tolkien scholars (indeed more than could be included herein) wanted to acknowledge her achievement.” The essays focus primarily on Tolkien, but some also explore Flieger’s fictional works and her impact as a scholar and teacher. This book was short-listed by the Tolkien Society as one of three volumes in the "BEST BOOK" category for its annual awards in 2019. Shipment is fulfilled by The Gabbro Head directly and so books can be shipped anywhere in the world.

468 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Mythlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I particularly liked the essays "Do Eldar Dream of Immortal Sheep?: Dreams, Memory, and Enchantment at the End of the Third Age" (Hillman, Cook, Burns, Rohlin, & Stegen), "Tolkien's Story of Kullervo: A Lost Link between Kirby's Kalevala and Tolkien's Legendarium" (Stocker), and "Canute and Beorhtnoth" (West).

Of course, one difficulty in reviewing a book of essays read over an extended period of time is remembering what you liked or disliked in the early part of the book. In my case, I read the book in two bouts, separated by 6+ months; I'm thinking I should go back and take another look at the essays by Honegger and Smol in particular.

[Ray Tabler · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my small city, civic planners scattered a number of modest parks throughout residential neighborhoods which can’t be accessed via cars. You have to park on a nearby street, and hoof it in via a pedestrian pass-through. Unless your property is within easy walking distance or adjoins the park. Then you can simply hop your fence into what is essentially a big, communal back yard. Some might get their undies in a bunch over the special access people who live near a particular park, versus those who don’t. But there are plenty of other municipal parks, with convenient parking lots available. The point isn’t exclusivity, but to foster a neighborhood spirit. And the tiny, secluded, insular parks do a good job of it.
Those obscure parks provide a fitting metaphor for the obscure world of serious Tolkien scholarship, and A Wilderness of Dragons. Reading through this book, I feel like I’ve wandered into a hidden communal back yard, which is surrounded by the homes of Tolkien scholars worldwide. It’s a pleasant, little place that you wouldn’t know of, and might only be able to find if you’re not looking for it. Having stumbled in through a shady path, I spent some hours watching the scholars at play, and smiling.
Tolkien didn’t write all that many books in his life. But he poured a phenomenal amount of care into those few gems. And the roots of those stories run deep. Numerous enthusiasts have found much to ponder and explore. There are essays about the various surprising types of heroism in Lord of the Rings, and the profound influence various cultures exerted on Tolkien’s work.
Just as fascinating as the literary merits pursued in this work are the tiny, obscure details. Tolkien’s very name which in the original German meant “foolhardy,” a handle his ancestor won directly from the holy Roaman Emperor for a particularly daring raid. Tolkien played with his name, transforming it into various languages and salting it into his books and stories. In addition, Tolkien fell in love with the Welsh language (subsequently utilized as a basis for elvish) by reading Welsh names on the sides of coal trucks. Some time is spent pondering why the phrase “a great green dragon” sound more pleasing to our ears than “a green great dragon.” Nd then there is the unsuspected link between Tolkien and HP Lovecraft.
Gathered together in one volume is a smorgasbord of articles about the world Tolkien built. Those interested can utilize it as a central point from which to strike off into direction which intrigue them. Or, you could simply sit down under a shade tree, and watch the scholars at play in their big back yard.