Product Description

A comprehensive collection of letters spanning the adult life (1914-1973) of one of the world's most famous storytellers. 'It is not possible even at great length to "pot" The Lord of the Rings in a paragraph or two. It was begun in 1936, and every part has been written many times! the labour has been colossal; and it must stand or fall, practically as it is.' J.R.R. Tolkien was one of the most prolific letter writers of this century. Over the years he wrote to his publishers, his family, to friends (including C.S. Lewis, W.H. Auden and Naomi Mitchison) and to fans of his books. The letters present a fascinating and highly detailed portrait of the man in many of his aspects: as storyteller, scholar, Catholic, parent and observer of the world around him. They also shed much light on his creative genius and grand design for the creation of a whole new world -- Middle-earth. This collection will appeal not only to the legions of Tolkien fans, but will entertain anyone who appreciates the art of letter-writing, of which Tolkien was a master. 'I am nearly always written to as Tolkein (not by you): I do not know why, since it is pronounced by me always -keen.'

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59019 in Books
• Published on: 1999-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Review
'So rich, it reads like an autobiography'

About the Author
Humphrey Carpenter was born in Oxford in 1946 and spent most of his life in that city. He read English Language and Literature at Keble College, Oxford, and met Professor J.R.R. Tolkien on a number of occasions. For some years he worked for the BBC as a radio producer and broadcaster and won acclaim as a top biographer, including the recent and controversial biography of Robert Runcie. He died in 2005.

Customer Reviews

An Absorbing and Essential Volume.
One of the greatest literary figures of modern times, Tolkien is principally known as a novelist, scholar, mythologist, poet, essayist and philologist. However an element of the man that tends to go unnoticed is the fact that, on the basis of this volume at least, he was one of the greatest letter writers of the 20th century. Whether the reader is an avid consumer of all things Tolkien, or is just looking for an enjoyable book, this collection of letters will not fail to delight. There is much intriguing information on his writings to be gleaned from 'The Letters of JRR Tolkien' but there is a lot more besides. Even if one were to skip all letters refering to Middle Earth there would remain a large and fascinating chunk of the book to explore. We knew that Tolkien's literary imagination was remarkable, but what is revealed here is the staggering depth and breath of Tolkien's thought on all matters. The letters deal with an immense range of topics: religion, language, politics, art, literature, philosophy, current affairs, theology, history - the list is endless and wonderfully diverse. His style is lively and never bland or cumbersome to read. Original ideas and phrases that stick in the mind, seem to flow from his pen without effort.
The author that emerges from 'The Letters of JRR Tolkien' is a very human man, deeply religious, humble, affectionate and witty.
This is a delightful volume, relevant to anyone who has the remotest interest in literature or indeed any aspect of human affairs. It will provide enormous pleasure through many readings and re-readings

An essential book
While one could argue - and some hardcore fans really do this - that the only places to search for something about Middle-Earth are in the stories themselves (and only the stories published while Tolkien was alive!) other find that the Author also has something to add from his private life. This collection of the Tolkien letters is centered around the fairy-tale author. It shows (but to a lesser degree) also fragments from the other world surrounding Tolkien, espc. World War II and his children.

But the most focus is naturally on the Author of "The Lord of the Rings" and the narrative process. We follow the process from the first letters suggestion that the sequel to "The Hobbit" is now beginning - and all the way to publication. And after publication, when first the reviews - then later on the letters from readers - are comming and discussed.

The first letter is a letter to Tolkiens fiancé (his later wife) and she apears in and out of the letters, ending with the touching letters following her death. The last letter, written only a few days before Tolkien himself dies clearly shows an old and somewhat tired man, but still a man with the full intellectual potential.

The book is very essential for all readers of LOTR, but also for readers of the misc. biographies and analyses of Tolkien. My only complaint is that one of the editors - Christopher Tolkien - obviously took out some letters or removed parts from other letters that didn't "fit in". Only in that sense is this book crippled.

A book no true Tolkien fan should be without
These letters give a great insight into the life and work of JRR Tolkien, author of the Book of the (last) Century. The letters range in date from 1914 to just a few days before his death in 1973 and range in content from the serious to the hilarious. This new edition has an expanded index which should make it easier to find that elusive quote. All in all a good buy for anyone interested in JRR Tolkien and his work.