The rise of Tolkienian fantasy / Jared Lobdell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lobdell, Jared, 1937-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973--Criticism and interpretation.

Tolkien, J. R. R.

Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973--Knowledge and learning--Literature.

Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973.

Literature.

Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973--Influence.

Fantasy fiction, English--History and criticism.

Fantasy fiction, English.

Fantasy fiction, American--History and criticism.

Fantasy fiction, American.

Mythology in literature.

Myth in literature.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

xvi, 188 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Chicago : Open Court, [2005]

Summary:

When J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings appeared in 1954, it was hailed by readers but dismissed by critics as juvenile escapism. For many years both critics and professors of literature refused to take Tolkien seriously, yet today they reluctantly admit that he was indeed a great writer. Jared Lobdell claims that the literary achievement of Tolkien in fact represents a new mainstream of literary development. The future of fiction lies in fantasy, he argues, and Tolkien is part of a vital organic growth with roots in the past. Professor Lobdell surveys the predecessors of and influences on Tolkien, from Rudyard Kipling to William Morris and Kenneth Grahame. He explores the web of elements - Celtic revival, medieval revival, and "feigned history" - that make up Tolkienian fantasy. And he looks closely at the heirs of the master, modern fantasists Ursula Le Guin, Stephen King (for the Dark Tower series), and the J. K. Rowling.

Contents:

Preface : me bifel a ferly

Far from the madding critics

Children of Mona : "mythology" and things Celtic

Children of Lear : breaking and remaking reality

Pilgrimage to the northward : adventurers all

Blackstick, Prigio, and "it" : comic and fantastic

Kaleyard gospel and Kaleyard gothick : George MacDonald

Et in Arcadia Frodo

The scent of old-world roses : Tolkien and "fantasy"

Appendix : sequels in the Edwardian mode.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-183) and index.

ISBN:

0812694589

OCLC:

56951327

Publisher Number:

9780812694581