Tolkien's Modern Middle Ages

The New Middle Ages

by Jane Chance Nitzsche (Editor), A. Siewers (Editor)

J.R.R. Tolkien delved into the Middle Ages to create a critique of the modern world in his fantasy, yet did so in a form of modernist literature with postmodern implications and huge commercial success. These essays examine that paradox and its significance in understanding the intersection between traditionalist and counter-culture criticisms of the modern. The approach helps to explain the popularity of his works, the way in which they continue to be brought into dialogue with Twenty-First century issues, and their contested literary significance in the academy.

Genres: Literature, History, Medieval, British Literature, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Alan Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better academic books that I've read on Tolkien. Diverse topics, succinct language, and raised points that I'd never considered.

[Andrea Hickman Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting collection of essays. I don't know much about the literature of the Middle Ages and it was interesting to see how much of Tolkien's work can be understood in that context. I enjoyed all the essays in the volume, though I could have done without Ted Nasmith on himself. I may be a little biased though, since I don't particularly like his paintings.