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A Companion to J. R. R. Tolkien

Stuart D. Lee (Edited by)

9781119691426, Wiley

Paperback / softback, published 31 July 2025

592 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 4 cm, 1.077 kg

The new edition of the definitive academic companion to Tolkien’s life and literature

A Companion to J. R. R. Tolkien provides readers with an in-depth examination of the author’s life and works, covering Tolkien’s fiction and mythology, his academic writing, and his continuing impact on contemporary literature and culture. Presenting forty-one essays by a panel of leading scholars, the Companion analyzes prevailing themes found in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, posthumous publications such as The Silmarillion and The Fall of Arthur, lesser-known fiction and poetry, literary essays, and more.

This second edition of the Companion remains the most complete and up-to-date resource of its kind, encompassing new Tolkien publications, original scholarship, The Hobbit film adaptations, and the biographical drama Tolkien. Five entirely new essays discuss the history of fantasy literature, the influence of classical mythology on Tolkien, folklore and fairytales, diversity, and Tolkien fandom. This Companion also:

  • Explores Tolkien’s impact on art, film, music, gaming, and later generations of fantasy fiction writers
  • Discusses themes such as mythmaking, medieval languages, nature, war, religion, and the defeat of evil
  • Presents a detailed overview of Tolkien’s legendarium, including Middle-earth mythology and invented languages and writing systems
  • Includes a brief chronology of Tolkien’s works and life, further reading suggestions, and end-of-chapter bibliographies

A Companion to J. R. R. Tolkien, Second Edition is essential reading for anyone formally studying or teaching Tolkien in academic settings, and an invaluable resource for general readers with interest in Tolkien’s works or fans of the films wanting to discover more.

Acknowledgments ix

Notes on Contributors xi

Editorial Practices and Abbreviations xviii

Bibliography xix

Abbreviations xx

Brief Chronology of the Life and Works of J.R.R. Tolkien xxii

Introduction to the Second Edition xxxiv

Part I: Life 1

1 A Brief Biography 3
John Garth

Part II: The Academic 19

2 Academic Writings 21
Thomas Honegger

3 Tolkien as Editor 34
Tom Shippey

4 Manuscripts: Use and Using 48
Stuart D. Lee

Part III: The Legendarium 65

5 Myth-making, Sub-creation, and World-building 67
Carl Phelpstead

6 Middle-earth Mythology: An Overview 79
Leslie A. Donovan

7 The Silmarillion: Tolkien's Theory of Myth, Text, and Culture 93
Gergely Nagy

8 The Hobbit: A Turning Point 104
John D. Rateliff

9 The Lord of the Rings 116
John R. Holmes

10 Unfinished Tales and the History of Middle-earth: A Lifetime of Imagination 127
Elizabeth A. Whittingham

11 "The Lost Road" and "The Notion Club Papers": Myth, History, and Time-travel 140
Verlyn Flieger

12 Poetry 152
Corey Olsen

13 "Minor" Works 166
Maria Artamonova

14 Invented Languages and Writing Systems 177
Arden R. Smith

Part IV: Context 189

15 Fantasy: An Introduction 191
Edward James

16 Classical Literature 203
Hamish Williams

17 "On Fairy-stories" and Folktale Research 214
Juliette Wood

18 Old English 224
Mark Atherton

19 Middle English 235
Elizabeth Solopova

20 Old Norse 247
Tom Birkett

21 Finnish: The Land and Language of Heroes 260
Leena Kahlas-Tarkka

22 Celtic: "Celtic Things" and "Things Celtic" – Identity, Language, and Mythology 271
J. S. Lyman-Thomas

23 The English Literary Tradition: Shakespeare to the Gothic 283
Nick Groom

24 Earlier Fantasy Fiction: Morris, Dunsany, and Lindsay 297
Rachel Falconer

25 The Inklings and Others: Tolkien and His Contemporaries 309
David Bratman

26 Later Fantasy Fiction: Tolkien's Legacy 324
Dimitra Fimi

27 Periodizing Tolkien: The Romantic Modern 337
Anna Vaninskaya

Part V: Critical Approaches 353

28 The Critical Response to Tolkien's Fiction 355
Patrick Curry

29 Style and Intertextual Echoes 374
Allan Turner

30 The Hero's Journey 386
Anna Caughey

31 Evil 399
Christopher Garbowski

32 Nature 410
Liam Campbell

33 Religion: An Implicit Catholicism 424
Pat Pinsent

34 War 437
Janet Brennan Croft

35 Women 448
Adam Roberts

36 Difference and Otherness 460
Christopher Vaccaro

37 Art 472
Christopher Tuthill

38 Music 485
Bradford Lee Eden

39 Film Adaptations: Theatrical and Television Versions 497
Kristin Thompson

40 Games: Playable Arda 511
Péter Kristóf Makai

41 Fandom 525
Cait Coker General Bibliography 535

Index 544

Subject Areas: Literature: history & criticism [DS]
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