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Journey to the Imaginal Realm: A Reader's Guide to J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
This reader’s guide to J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings offers a journey into the world of Middle-earth, exploring the grand themes and hidden nuances of Tolkien’s epic story, connecting The Lord of the Rings to the larger mythology of Middle-earth, and situating Tolkien’s process of writing within his own powerful experiences of the imaginal realm. The Lord of the Rings has been a beloved story to several generations since its publication in the mid-1950s. The story has a timeless quality to it, and engages with a complex struggle between good and evil, death and immortality, power and freedom. The Lord of the Rings is a book treated by many as a sacred text, one to be returned to year after year, or read aloud with loved ones. The Lord of the Rings has become a myth for our time.
Journey to the Imaginal Realm guides the reader through each chapter of J. R. R. Tolkien’s magnum opus, drawing attention to the subtle details, recalling moments of foreshadowing, and illuminating underlying patterns and narrative threads throughout the story. The close reading of the text is paired with relevant biographical information from Tolkien’s life, including the loss of both his parents at a young age, the central role of friendship in his life, his participation in the First World War, and his exquisite romance with his wife Edith. Tolkien was a lover of language and a philologist by profession, and his invented languages form the heart of his tales. In some of his letters, Tolkien described his process of writing as one of discovery, in which he waited to find out “what really happened,” feeling as though he was “recording what was already ‘there,’ somewhere.” This reader’s guide seeks to understand the imaginal experiences Tolkien may have encountered that led to the writing of his stories. The guide explores Tolkien’s theory of sub-creation, the immersive experience of Faërian Dramas, and most importantly, his notion of the realm of Faërie. Journey to the Imaginal Realm is a celebration of Tolkien’s work, and an inquiry into the profound nature of imagination, which is capable of bringing forth a world as vast as Middle-earth.
Journey to the Imaginal Realm guides the reader through each chapter of J. R. R. Tolkien’s magnum opus, drawing attention to the subtle details, recalling moments of foreshadowing, and illuminating underlying patterns and narrative threads throughout the story. The close reading of the text is paired with relevant biographical information from Tolkien’s life, including the loss of both his parents at a young age, the central role of friendship in his life, his participation in the First World War, and his exquisite romance with his wife Edith. Tolkien was a lover of language and a philologist by profession, and his invented languages form the heart of his tales. In some of his letters, Tolkien described his process of writing as one of discovery, in which he waited to find out “what really happened,” feeling as though he was “recording what was already ‘there,’ somewhere.” This reader’s guide seeks to understand the imaginal experiences Tolkien may have encountered that led to the writing of his stories. The guide explores Tolkien’s theory of sub-creation, the immersive experience of Faërian Dramas, and most importantly, his notion of the realm of Faërie. Journey to the Imaginal Realm is a celebration of Tolkien’s work, and an inquiry into the profound nature of imagination, which is capable of bringing forth a world as vast as Middle-earth.
- GenresLiteratureFantasy
262 pages, paperback
Published September 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 19, 2025
For a Lord of the Rings fan, this little book provides indispensable insight into why and how Tolkien wrote the story, dreamed up Middle Earth, and invented its languages.
November 25, 2019
Interesting reading this author’s thoughts on TLOTR. I recommend this book to all passionate fans, you’ll find it interesting. Non-fans won’t get anything out of it. In between these extremes are the few who might learn a thing or two in these pages.
(But I’ve read these books so many times I’ve worn eye grooves in the pages of several editions. I’ve owned paperback, hardback, 3 in 1, and continue to gift friends and family anytime I discover a poor deprived person without a set of their own. Clearly I’m a fan.)
I am now compelled to read TLOTR again. I want to think about some passages in a new, different way and I’ve gained some additional back story regarding J R R Tolkien.
(But I’ve read these books so many times I’ve worn eye grooves in the pages of several editions. I’ve owned paperback, hardback, 3 in 1, and continue to gift friends and family anytime I discover a poor deprived person without a set of their own. Clearly I’m a fan.)
I am now compelled to read TLOTR again. I want to think about some passages in a new, different way and I’ve gained some additional back story regarding J R R Tolkien.
May 9, 2022
I wish I had this book when I was first going through LOTR. Tarnas’s book-by-book breakdowns are succinct and carry valuable insights. Tarnas also points readers to themes and other details throughout the text for readers to pay attention to as they dive deeper into Middle-earth.
Tarnas also has a few of her own essays that explicate on various aspects of Tolkien studies placed in between chapters, e.g., biography, OFS, Quenya etc. Her Jungian analyses are unique contributions to Tolkien studies in general and lead to a deeper conversation with Tolkien and existing scholarship, which makes this book really fun in my reading.
This book is enjoyable as an experienced Tolkien enthusiast. It is also a book for those who have first begun their journey into Middle-earth. Tarnas has accomplished a book for all Tolkienites, no matter where they are on their adventure.
Tarnas also has a few of her own essays that explicate on various aspects of Tolkien studies placed in between chapters, e.g., biography, OFS, Quenya etc. Her Jungian analyses are unique contributions to Tolkien studies in general and lead to a deeper conversation with Tolkien and existing scholarship, which makes this book really fun in my reading.
This book is enjoyable as an experienced Tolkien enthusiast. It is also a book for those who have first begun their journey into Middle-earth. Tarnas has accomplished a book for all Tolkienites, no matter where they are on their adventure.
December 18, 2020
Wonderful!
February 12, 2020
Amazing! I’m a huge fan of Tolkien and this little book brings such clarity to some of the small and easily missed aspects of the Lord of The Rings. I would recommend looking up this authors videos and interviews, she has some great thoughts on the similarities between Tolkien and Jung. A joy to read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews