J.R.R. Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings

Bys: Tolkien, J. R. R. and Bloom, Harold

Book Overview

- Critical essays reflecting a variety of schools of criticism - Notes on the contributing critics, a chronology of the author's life, and an index - An introductory essay by Harold Bloom. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0791056651
• ISBN13: 9780791056653
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Chelsea House Publications
• Length: 191 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

In-depth analysis for students

Three new additions to Harold Bloom's 'Modern CriticalInterpretations' series will reach high school into college levels, compiling critical articles from a variety of sources and offering the in-depth analysis students will need to assist on detailed reports of an author's single work. Joseph Heller's Catch 22 (0-7910-5927-8) provides articles which examine how the sane can survive under insane wartime circumstances; Elie Wiesel's Night (5924-3) gathers critical writings on his story of life in a Nazi concentration camp, and the focus on Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings (5665-1) considers the contents and impact of the three-volume epic fantasy. All include essays by notable critics who offer different interpretations and focus perfect for classroom discussion or essay pursuit.

Of Friends And Hobbits

While visiting a friend I took a book from his bookshelf and asked, "The Hobbit? I never heard of it. What is it?". As if in a daze, he looks directly at me, saying, "You've never read the Hobbit? Take it with you! Read it! JUST READ IT!" I thought it very odd for my friend to exhibit such passion about a book. I wasn't interested so I changed the subject, hid the book under a pillow and started to leave shortly thereafter. I did not get far. He caught me at the door and handed me the Hobbit and again, with that far-off glare, said "JUST READ IT!" ... I did read it and to this day I consider it the most wonderful gift I have every received. Like cake and honey and bread and beer, ...., as sweet and satisfying today as it was the first time. To this friend I will always owe a great debt.

Misleading attribution in Amazon's catalog

This book is not a critical edition of The Lord of the Rings, nor should it be attributed to Tolkien himself. It is a collection of essays on LotR. While the essays presented in this volume are good, they are all reprinted from other sources. Many of them come from Tolkien and the Critics (ed. Issacs & Zimbardo), which is excellent and, alas, out of print. The only troublesome part of the book is Harold Bloom's introduction, if one can call it that. Barely a page in length, it falls somewhere between dismissive and hostile towards Tolkien's writing style while offering no other reasons why LotR merits any study except that it was popular in the sixties (though it was also popular in previous and subsequent decades). Bloom makes little comment on the essays he (presumably) selected and, based on his introduction, seems no more familiar with LotR than the average reader. Any of the contributors to this volume could have furnished a more helpful introduction. One wonders if Bloom's name is present merely because it, like Tolkien's, can move books very briskly.

Three for the Kings of the High Elves. . .

This book presents an excellent interpretation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkein. It adds an interesting prespective on his stories, as well as his life. This is a must have for any true Tolien fan! Peace.