Volume 13 Number 1 Article 12

10-15-1986

Early Review of Books by J.R.R. Tolkien: Part VI - VIII

George H. Thompson

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Recommended Citation Thompson, George H. (1986) "Early Review of Books by J.R.R. Tolkien: Part VI - VIII," Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 13 : No. 1 , Article 12. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol13/iss1/12

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Abstract Briefly annotated checklist of minor early secondary materials on Tolkien not represented in Judith A. Johnson’s Six Decades of Tolkien Criticism. The three parts of the final article cover Tree and Leaf, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and The Road Goes Ever On and Poems and Songs of Middle-earth.

Additional Keywords Sarah Beach

This article is available in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol13/iss1/12 Page 54 M YTH LO RE 47: A utum n 1 9 8 6

were the ideas of "emergent evolution" which Weston and the heroic fantasy, the latter flourishing in the espouses early in Perelandra (294). The following wake of Tolkien (299). section, on Gerald Heard, contains several comparisons with Lewis (309, 312). Elsewhere in the book, Lewis is quoted on the eschatological aspects of the scientific Williams, Charles. "At the 'Ye that do tru ly .'" In The romance (37), is pointed to, with Gerald Heard, for New Oxford Book of Christian Verse, ed. Donald Davie, attempting the synthesis of "the scientific and No. 228 (p. 257). Oxford: Oxford University Press, religious world-views" (43), and is mentioned, along 1 9 8 1 . with others, for being influenced by the speculative essays of the period between the wars and for producing W illiams' poem was included in Lord David C ecil's The "spectical [appraisals] of the state of contemporary Oxford Book of Christian Verse (1940); and in "An civilisation, and... its prospects" (165). That is, Inklings Bibliography (29), "a stress on the lack of Lewis belongs to his period. copyright for the poem in that volume may have implied Lewis' friendships with Barfield, Tolkien, and that it was original there. But Davie, in reprinting Williams are noted in the section on Lewis, but little the poem, credits Divorce (1920) as the origin (p. is made of their works; Stableford does indicate that 305), although he also does not give a copyright notice an analogous situation exists between the scientific — presumably the volume was uncopyrighted. In his romance and the metaphysical fantasy in his period of notes, Davie prints the relevant portion of The Book of consideration as exists today between science fiction Common P ra y e r to illu m in e t h i s poem ( p . 3 1 1 ). Early Review of Books by J.R.R. Tolkien Compiled by George H. Thompson

Brink, Adrian. "Tree and Leaf: J R R Tolkien". Granta Part V I (Cambridge), 5 June 1964, pp. 36-37. [A sympathetic, Tree and Leaf well-informed summary and review. "So Tolkien presents his case and it is a consistent case. Whether it is T&L '64 London: A&U, 1964 credible or not is another matter all together, for its T&L '65 Boston: HM, 1965 author does not ask for rational belief or disbelief. His philosophy is more a way of looking at the world than of thinking of it." LBN is not one of his best Anthony, Mother Mary, S.H.C.J. Best Sellers 24 (15 w o rk s .] + March 1965), 488. [Tolkien's essay on the fairy-story T&L '6 4 as art form (a 1938 lecture, enlarged) may well be the most important analysis of the function of the poetic Choice 3 (May 1966), 204. ["The essay is unique in the imagination since Coleridge."] + fields of folklore and philology." B rief.] + T&L '6 5 T&L '6 5 B., V. "More on Fairies". Western Daily Press and Christian Century 82 (3 March 1965), 280. ["A sensible Bristol M irror. 5 June 1964, p. 6. [A brief review, not 85 page essay on fairy stories precedes a fairy story s e e n .] in this over-priced 112-page book." This is the entire r e v ie w .] + T&L '6 4 T&L '6 5 B arrett, William. "Ever-Ever Land". A tlantic Monthly 215 (March 1965), 194-195. [The review gives a Culpan, Norman. "From Sixteen to Upper Sixth: sympathetic Christian interpretation to Tolkien's ideas L iterature". School Librerian and School Library Review on fairy stories and makes a brief mention of LBN.] + 12 (1 Dec. 1964). 295-296. [A fairly brief, T&L '6 5 descriptive, sympaatnetic notice.] + T&L '6 4 Bingham, Mary. "From the Perilous Realm". Courier Dalgliesh, Alice. "An April Shower to Share". Saturday Journal (Louisville, Ky.), 7 March 1965, Section IV, p. Review 48 (24 April 1965),44. [Though not a Hobbit fan, 5. [A descriptive appreciation with judicious she is favorably impressed by both parts of T&L. "It is quotations from OFS. She gives the name "katharsis" to required reading for the many who are busily engaged in the "piercing glimpse of joy, and hearts desire" that writing so-called modern fairy tales."] + Tolkien finds at the close of the successful fairy T & L ' 6 4 t a l e . ] + Davenport, Guy. "The Persistence of Light". National T&L '6 5 Review 17 (20 April 1965), 332-334. [This review of T&L is in fact a wide-ranging rhetorical article in praise Booklist 61 (1 March 1965), 643. [A brief, purely of Tolkien. The divine vision has often been lost in descriptive review.] o modern literature but "in Tolkien has been reborn. He T&L '6 5 has escaped satire and irony on the one side and realism on the other." The theme of the essay on fairy Briggs, K.M. Folklore 75 (Winter 1964), 293-294. stories is "that the imagination is a metamorphosis of [Approaching the book from the point of view of reality rather than an evasion of it," Tolkien's folklore, he argues that classification is a necessity, stories are timeless because his creatures represent though Tolkien does not much approve of it. However, moral states. The statement that the writing of L0TR stories have been "handed down for the sake of delight was finished before World War II is incorrect. and enlargement of sp irit," and Tolkien'S essay is a Concerning Tolkien's next work: "It is, I was told this timely reminder of th is.] + summer in England, 'not a romance but a h isto ry '..."] + T&L '6 4 T&L '6 5 MYTHLORE 47: Autumn 1986 Page 55

Eiseley, Loren. "The Elvish Art of Enchantment". Book historical interest." This is because the creative Week (New York Herald Tribune). Children's Spring Book process is indescribable (like Faerie) and hence Festival, 9 May 1965, pp. 3, 27. Reprinted Horn Book Tolkien's attempt is doomed. The story "is charming but Magazine 41 (Aug. 1965), 364-367. [A substantial lacking in the depth and grandeur of the author's other review, discussing Tolkien's major fiction and w ritings."] - emphasizing the insight to be gained from the essay T&L ’ 65 OFS. "...th e human mind is not confined to the universe of primary reality. It can create thought-worlds which Pryce-Jones, Alan. "Myth-Maker Tolkien States a Theory outlive the artist and extend beyond the science of the of Fairy Stories". New York Herald Tribune. 4 March actual." This is Tolkien's achievement in H and LOTR. 1965, p. 21. [A quite long but fairly popular review "They stand as a major creative act..."] + that offers a rather superficial summary of Tolkien's T&L '6 5 i d e a s . ] + T&L '6 5 "Faerie Tales". Church Times. 24 July 1964, p. 5. [A b r i e f re v ie w o f T&L. Of LBN: " I t i s a n o n - P u r ita n Ramson, W.S. "Something for Hobbit Lovers". Canberra pilgrim 's progress and has the sim plicity of a parable Times, 10 Oct. 1964, p. 10. [This is a book for capable of interpretation at many levels."] + followers of the old master. LBN is pleasant, "more T&L '6 4 susceptible to allegorical interpretation than are the later stories." The essay is "interesting and "Fairy Tales". Times of India, 9 Aug. 1964, p. 9. [OFS occasionally stimulating" but it "remains "is a splendid essay"; LBN is told with exquisite uncompromisingly academic."] + sensitiveness." A brief review.] + T&L '6 4 T&L '6 4 S., A.F. "Tolkien on Fairies". Southern Evening Echo Faller, Kevin. "The Bewitched Professsor". Irish (Southampton), 11 Sept. 1964, p. 26. [A concise survey Independent (Dublin), 20 June 1964, p. 12. [After of Tolkien's essay. As for LBN, it is "a sort of modern quoting from the book, he says Drayton and Shakespeare parable."] + (slighted by the professor) must have bewitched T&L '6 4 Tolkien's pen to make it write such unimaginative prose. (Summary from the author. Not seen.)] - Schmidt, Sandra, "faking Fairy Tales Seriously". T&L '6 4 Christian Science Monitor. 15 April 1965, p. 11. [A s u b s t a n t i a l re v ie w o f w hich h a l f i s g iv e n o v e r to LOTH. "Folklore". B ritish Book News No. 288 (Aug. 1964), p. LBN is charming but too sententious. Tolkien's practice 580. [T&L is briefly described and LOTR is mentioned.] in LOTR, where complexity of moral decision makes o itself felt, is preferable to the simpler theory of T&L '6 4 O FS.] + T&L '6 5 Hamilton, Ruth. "Fantasy". Young Reader's Review 1 (June 1965, 9. [Tolkien's essay is "a brilliant and Sykes, Peter, "Tolkien's Fairies". Oxford Mail. 28 May original analysis" of the fairy-story form. After a 1964, p. 6. [A brief review summarizing the key idea of breif comment, she uses his ideas about the fairy-story the essay and praising LBN for the "economy of phrase as a frame for a review of a variety of other books.] + and quiet assurance which stamp all Prof. Tolkien's T&L '6 5 w riting..."] + T&L '6 4 Haviland, Virginia, corap. Children's Literature: A guide to Reference Sources. Washington: Library of Thewlis, D. "Tree and Leaf". Niekas No. 9 (Sept. 1964), Congress, 1966, pp. 215-216. [Tolkien's ideas about p. 44. [A pleasant account of T&L.] + fairy stories are briefly described and his mastery in T&L '6 4 LBN is mentioned.] + T&L '6 5 Thomas, G ilbert. "The Clergy in Slippers". Birmingham Post (Eng.), 2 June 1964, p. ? [LBN is described as "a characteristically charming yet searching fairy-tale" Lawrence, Ralph. "Recent Reading". [English 15 (Autumn and Tolkien as a "spiritual realist" whose "art has 1964) 115-118. [One paragraph on p. 117 is devoted to a imaginative magic of a very rare quality." B rief.] + summary of the ideas in OFS and a mention of Tolkien's story "which gives his brief study additional T&L '6 4 distinction,"] + Virginia Kirkus' Service 33 (1 Jan. 1965), 40. [A brief T&L '6 4 review: the essay is rather disorganized and digressive, the story slight.] +- Lentricchia, Frank, Jr. "Some Coordinates of Modern T&L '6 5 Literature". Poetry 108 (April 1966), 65-67. [A brief Walsh, Chad. "In the 'A s-if' World". New York Times but informed review. "Tolkien's discussion of the realm Book Review. 14 March 1965,pp. 4-5. [A fairly long of Faerie as an aesthetic cosmos — autonomous, but not review surveys the ideas of the essay and describes the quite autotelic — will recall the important trend in s t o r y . ] + modern philosophical criticism emanating from Ernst Cassirer."] + T&L '6 5 T&L '6 5 W illis, Katherine T. Library Journal 90 (1 Feb. 1965), 651, [OFS is recommended to all readers of fantasy; and L ew is, N aom i. New S ta te sm a n 67 (1 5 May 1 9 6 4 ), 7 7 8 . [T&L LBN is a penetrating allegory.] + is given one sentence in the "also recommended" T&L '6 5 category. OFS is called "striking."] + T&L '6 4 Yolton, John. "In the Soup". Kenyon Review 27 (Summer 1965), 565-567. [This long substantial review is mainly "New Book by Creator of Hobbits Falls Short". Oakland concerned with a clear survey and summary of Tolkien's Tribune (Cal.), Entertainment, 28 March 1965, p. 7. ideas about Story and Faerie.] + [The essay "is of little intrinsic value except for its T&L '6 5 Page 56 MYTHLORE 47: Autumn 1986 Harris, Margaret. "Poetry". Derbyshire Times Part V II (Chesterfield), 7 Dec. 1962, p. 25. [Brief. "The rhythms and details of the countryside will be a The Adventures of Tom Bombadil delight to children and their parents."] + ATB '62 London: A&U, 22 Nov. 1962 ATB '6 2 ATB '63 Boston: HM, 22 Oct. 1963 Holbrook, David. "Sensationalists". Manchester Guardian. 7 Dec. 1962, p. 7. [The poems are "an A. , W. "Another Tolkien". South Wales Argus (Newport). amalgam of de la Mare, nursery rh'vmes, and of the 4 Feb. 1963, p. A. [The reviewer comments generally on precious pretend world of the Hobbit cult. There is Tolkien's imaginative world. "The secret is in the little 'must' in them, and the verbal ingenuity is without roots in metaphor and unconscious meaning." excellence of narrative skill which Tolkien brings to B r i e f . ] - his writings and in the care he takes to ensure that it fits together perfectly without internal contra­ ATB '6 2 dictions."] + Hugh-Jones, S iriol. "Children's Corner". Punch 243 (19 ATB '6 2 Dec. 1962), 912. [One paragraph about ATB says that if you're a hobbit fan you'll like it.] o B. , J.E. "Nonsense". Canberra Times. 20 Apr. 1963, p. 22, [An appreciative account of the book. ATB '6 2 "Distinguished by liltin g rhythm, and the superb use of descriptive language one expects of Professor Tolkien, "Keeping up with Hobbits". Church Times, Children's Book Supplement, 30 Nov, 1962, p. 1. [A very praiseful most of the poems are narrative in character." They are review. But it doesn't really say anything except how recommended for the imaginative child or adult.] + delightful the book is.] + ATB '6 2 ATB '6 2 Beals, Margaret, "Have You Read These?" South Shore Kennedy, X.J. "The Poet in the Playpen". Poetry 105 News (Scituate), 25 March 1965, p. ? [A brief account (Dec. 1964), 190-193. [A review of 3 poets writing for of these rollicking and lively poems.] + children. He quotes two passages from ATB with ATB '6 3 approval, and notes that Tolkien "reaffirm s that poetry differs from prose in sounding like something "Bombadil". Oxford Times. 28 Dec. 1962, p. 14. special..." (p. 193).] + ["Although the verses here have ingenuity, originality... they have not the compulsive quality of ATB '6 3 the major work." B rief.] + Kitching, Jessie. "Forecasts". Publisher's Weekly 184 ATB '6 2 (26 Aug. 1963), 276. ["A beautiful little supplement to The Lord of the Rings." The cadenced verses and Booklist 60 (15 Dec.1963). 366. [A brief favorable n o t i c e . ] + inspired rhyming are praised in this brief preview.] + ATB '6 3 ATB '6 3 P[rice], A[nthony]. "Tolkien Poetry". Oxford Mail. Brady, Charles A. "The World of Fantasy is Magical Christmas book Supplement, 22 Nov. 1962, p. 18. [A Backdrop for Holiday Reading". Buffalo Evening News. 21 brief review. "Prof. Tolkien is really a better Dec. 1963, p. B-8. [The poems are not all of equal story-teller than he is a poet. But no matter — for excellence but "the best of them mark the finest goblin this is but an 'interim report'" — with more of the poetry since Christina R ossetti's Goblin Market."] + Red Book to come.] +- ATB '6 3 ATB '6 2 Clark, Leonard. "Poetry for the Young". Yorkshire Post. 20 Dec. 1962, p. ? [A brief notice praising Tolkien's "Middle Earth Verse". Times Literacy Supplement, 23 verses as "masterpieces of technical sk ill."] + Nov. 1962, p. 892. ["These are clever verses, though ATB '6 3 they di not grip a reader as did all the tales of hobbits and elves." B rief.] + Davidson, Avram. "Books". Fantasy and Science Fiction ATB '6 2 26 (March 1964), 83. [He finds Tom Bombadil ^to be a sort of babbling three-quarters w it." He likes other Month 29 (March 1963), 189. [A brief descriptive poems better, but hungers for a new novel.] +- r e v ie w .] + ATB '6 3 ATB '6 3

De-la-Nov, Michael. "Make-Believe". National Christian R., B. "For Children or Adults?" Eastern Province News, Dec. 1962, p. ? [Brief. "This is almost T.S. Herald (Fort Elizabeth, S.A .), 6 Feb. 1963, p. 10. [The Eliot on a day off. It is certainly Professor Tolkien Hobbit world offers "a brand of whimsy more likely to at his best..." "Most of these verses are too clever entertain grown-ups than children." The verses "all by tw o-thirds."] + share the same mechanics of construction, a hurrying ATB '6 2 rhythm and simple rhyme schemes." B rief.] + ATB '6 2 Derrick, Christopher. "From an Antique Land". Tablet (London) 216 (15 Dec. 1962), 1227. [LOTR has had the misfortune to become a fashion and hence a Reeves, James. "Hobbit". Use of English: A Quarterly (London) 15 (Autumn 1963), 50, 52, 54. [ATB will counter-fashion which has left people with an mainly please Hobbit fans, "...the trouble with Mr. impression of whimsicality. "These verses...some of Tolkien as a poet is that he has the wrong degree of them haunt, some worry, some would be good for skipping games, some for comfort and rhythm on a long day spent self-consciousness — either too much or too little . The simultaneous absorption in subject-matter and in breaking stone."] + ATB '62 technique which poetry demands is somehow inhibited by MYTHLORE 47: Autumn 1986 Page 57

an uneasy jocularity" (p. 54). This is a serious and 1968, p. 25. [A very brief description. "The first six thoughtful review.] - songs were written in the Judean hills outside ATB '6 2 Jerusalem, ideal terrain for hobbits and elves."] + RGEO '6 8 Sams, Betsy. "Elfin Poems Please Old and Young". Charleston (Evening) Post. 24 April 1964, p. 9-C. [The The Booklist 64 (15 Feb. 1968), 672. [A s h o r t poems "are especially entertaining when read aloud." description.] + B r i e f .] + RGEO '6 7 ATB '6 3 Brady, Charles A. "Libeled in Images, angels have their S erraillier, Ian. "Poetry for the Young Reader". Sunday day in literature". Buffalo Evening News, 23 Dec, Telegraph (London), 2 Dec. 1962. p. 8, [Devotes of 1967,p. B-10. [This review article comments briefly on Hobbitlore should enjoy exploring the weird and two Tolkien books. The Road Goes Ever On: "Tolkien's fantastic world of Tolkien's poems. B rief.] + own lovely elfin calligraphy lights up the ivory pages ATB '6 2 with its steel-and-crimson like the arabesqued swords of elfland." Thwaite, Anthony. "Hobbitry". Listener 68 (22 Nov. Smith of Wooten Major: One of Tolkien's 1962), 831. [Tolkien's verses show "superb technical "incomparable fairy tales." "Among its several morals skill" and a talent "close to genius." Quite a number is one found also in the Book of Tobit to the effect of poetic devices are mentioned, though with few that it is often hard to recognize an angel until he... illustrations.] + has passed like the wind."] + ATB '6 2 RGEO '6 7 , SWM '67A

Unwin, Sir Stanley. "Publishers' Pick I". Sunday Times. C. , G.H. "Some New Releases". Herald-Advertiser 16 Sept, 1962, p. 28. [Each publisher picks from his (Huntington, W.Va), Sunday Magazine, 28 Jan. 1968,p. 6. own l i s t . S ir S ta n le y c h o o s e s ATB. T o lk ie n , he s a y s , i s [A pleasant review of the book and record. The songs "one of the few entirely original creative w riters of "take on added lustre from the inspired Elvish music this age." A brief comment.] + Mr.Swann has set them to."] + ATB '6 2 RGEO '6 7 , PSME '6 7 Virginia Kirkus' Service 31 (1 Sept. 1963), 857. [A Choice 4 (February 1968), 1390. ["Swann's m usic... brief favorable description.] + consists of simple lyric melodies having an ATB '6 3 uncomplicated Schubertian style of song. This is most evident in the title song, and its melody is used as West, Dorthy H., and Shor, Rachel, eds. Children's the motif of the entire cycle. The quality of the rest Catalog. 11th ed. New York: H.W. Wilson, 1966, p. 238. of the music does not attain this level. Swann's music, [ATB is listed. It is described in two brief quotations on the whole, is congruous to the mood of Tolkien's from reviews in Publisher's Weekly 184 (1963) (see hobbits and the result is a pleasant combination."] + Kitching) and Booklist 60 (1963).] o RGEO '6 7 ATB '6 3

Clemens, David. "Scene". The Daily M irror.14 Feb. 1968, Part VIII p. ? [A brief notice, speaking of these "charming ba::ads."] + The Road Goes Ever On & RGEO '6 8

Poems and Songs of Middle-earth D. , K. "Arias at the Bottom of the Garden". The Birmingham Post (England),25 May 1968, p. ? [The songs The Road Goes Ever On are effective, especially "In the Willow-meads" and "Errantry." S till "the volume is not much more than a RGEO '67 Boston: HM, 18 Oct. 1967 cult-object, and I don't have any fairies at the bottom RGEO '68 London: A&U, 28 March 1968 of my garden."] - RGEO '68A New York: BB, 14 Oct. 1968 RGEO '6 8 Poems and Songs of Middle Earth Des Moines Sunday Register. 26 Nov. 1967, p. ? [Very PSME '67 Caedmon Record TC 1231, 18 Oct. 1967 brief description of this "charming compilation" of PSME '68 Caedmon Record TC 1231, 28 March 1968 poems and music.] + RGEO '6 7

Baptist Times. 20 June 1968, p. 3 [Very brief. Lovers Ferguson, T.S. "What's Happening: Songs of Middle of Tolkien w ill be delighted to possess this book.] + Earth". The Sunday Telegraph. 10 March 1968, p. 15. RGEO '6 8 [This important review quotes Swann: "The settings are in my own style, a sort of mixture of art song, ballad Best Sellers 27 (1 Dec. 1967), 358. ["The tunes are and folk-song — right down the middle. The poems delightful and the poems are equally so." B rief.] + themselves are most moving and attractive and have a RGEO '6 7 context outside the books: good poetry in the Georgian style." The Elvish song Tolkien himself hummed — "a Bingham, Mary. Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.), 17 sort of Gregorian chant, which I've adapted." The Dec. 1967, p. E-5. ["A brief description of this review also contains the following statements of fact: handsome volume.] + The book w ill be published March 28. On Thursday (March RGEO '6 7 14 presumably) Tolkien w ill come to a party in London, to celebrate the forthcoming publication of RGEO. On "Book B riefs". The Jewish Chronical (London). 28 June Friday (March 15) Swann w ill perform the cycle at the P age 58 MYTHLORE 47: Autumn 1986

Camden Town F estival. The cycle was first performed in cult of Hobbitry o r... the incurable affliction of the Lakeland theatre at R osehill.] + Tolkienism is further elaborated or aggravated by the RGEO ’68, PSME '68 appearance of what may be called the Ring-students' songbook..." B rief.] - "Forecasts: Paperbacks: Music and A rt". Publisher's RGEO '6 8 Weekly 194 (2 Sept.1968), 63. [The publication of RGEO by B allantine at $2.95 is announced for 14 Oct. 1968. Johnson, Robert. "Prizewinner".The Irish Press. 30 The book is described as 8 1/2" x 11" bound In boards. March 1968,p. 6 r"The Road Goes On Forever [sic] is the " The melodies are sim ple... the harmonies delightful most exquisitely produced volume of songs to have come and varried on the piano." The preview gives a sound off the presses for many a moon.” But both verse and factual description of the book.] + music are "the kind of questionable stuff that leads us RGEO '6 8 A to think that we have heard it a ll before."] - RGEO '6 8 Fuller, Edmund. "Land of Nourishment". Wall Street Journal 170, (29 Dec. 1967),6. [Fuller begins with a Kenny, Herbert A. "A Bonanza for Tolkien Fans". The survey of the popularity of Tolkien whose books are Boston Globe. 13 Dec. 1967, p. 52. [RGEO is described; "w onder-filled." In an age of negativism "Tolkien's PSME is praised, the songs "have a permanent value, the superb fabric tacitly affirm s the nourishing virtues." music matching in quality the Lord of the Rings cycle The stories are "faith quickening." After mentioning II from which the words arise"; and SWM. though and LOTR. he describes RGEO. PSME. and SWM independent of LOTR. "is w ritten in the same exquisite appreciatevely.] + English."] + RGEO '6 7 , PSME '6 7 , SWM '67A RGEO '6 7 , PSME '6 7 , SWM '67A

G. "For Hobbit Lovers". The Friend (London) 126 (5 Lewis, Naomi. "Fact and Poetry". The Observer. 4 Aug. April 1968), 410. [A rather brief and well informed 1968, p. 22. [B rief. "H ere's some trove out of Middle review. "The composer has not tried to conjecture the E arth... lovely and haunting group of songs."] + characteristics of the original Middle Earth music, and RGEO '6 8 with one exception the settings are in conventional ballad style, with flowing melodic line and orthodox M itchell, David N. "Three for H obbiteers". Milwaukee harmony and rhythm." The exception is G aladriel's Journal. 10 Dec. 1967,p. ? (Date not confirm ed.) [You l a m e n t . ] + need to be a fan to appreciate these new works of RGEO '6 8 Tolkien esoterics — RGEO. PSME. and SWM. The review er — in brief — is left cold by all three.] - G ellatly, Peter. Library Journal 93 (1 Feb. 1968), 530. RGEO '6 7 , PSME '6 7 , SWM '67A [A short favorable description of the book and record.] + Morse, Elizabeth A. Library Journal 93 (15 Jan. 1968), RGEO '6 7 , PSME '67 316; identical with School Library Journal. Jan. 1968, p. 96 [A brief factual description: "for the G lackin, W illiam C. "New Tolkien Volumes Come in Both enthusiastic young adults who have responded to Big and L ittle Packages". Sacramento Bee (C alif.), 10 Tolkien's books..."] o Dec. 1967,p. L22. [RGEO is a beautiful production; the RGEO '6 7 melodic line of the songs is simple, not unlike folksong. The record is also mentioned. SWM "packs N ichols, Lewis. "Swann is E lvish". New York Times Book considerable charm and superb atm osphere.... All it Review. 22 Oct. 1967, p. 56. [A brief purely lacks... is a threat of danger to make it a perfect descriptive review .] o story..."] + RGEO '6 7 RGEO '6 7 , PSME '6 7 , SWM '67A Pollock, John. "Leisure Hour". The Christian and Haas, Joseph. "A Cycle of Tolkien's Poems". Chicago Christianity Today.17 May 1968, p. 17. [A brief Daily News. 23 Dec. 1967, p. 7 [RGEO and PSME are laudatory comment. The book "should set schools and described. The book is handsome, the m usical portion of fam ilies singing."] + the record sounds like an art-song recital.] + RGEO '6 8 RGEO '6 7 , PSME '67 Punch 254 (13 March 1968), 402 [A very brief notice. "A Hall, Richard. "Inner Elvish World". The Inquirer rum manifestation of the Tolkien addiction.... (London) No. 6571 (15 June 1968), p.6 [A favorable A ttractively presented] description ofRGEO. The words and music are matched RGEO '6 8 with "delicate sensitivity."] + RGEO '6 8 Royal College of Music Magazine 64 (Summer term 1968), H feins], E [thel] L. Horn Book Magazine 44 (A pril 1968), 59-60. [A brief factual account of the book. The 188-189. [A brief and inform ative description of the reviewer prefers the last song. "The other songs may on "elegantly designed book" and of the record with its frequent hearing prove to be more subtle and less "lyric romanticism that matches the mood of the obvious than they appear to be."] +- t e x t s . " ] + RGEO '6 8 RGEO '6 7 , PSME '67 Shaw, Mildred H art. "Between Book Ends". The Daily Hern, Anthony. "Sprint Comes to the Coffee T ables..." Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colorado), 14 Jan.1968, p. ? ^ie Evenng Standard. 7 May 1968, p. 10 [A brief notice: [A brief review noting that RGEO is a fine more of a piano-top book than a coffee table exhibit." collaboration which preserves the lilt and music in Hern is a hobbit fan.] + Tolkien's verses.] + RGEO '6 8 RGEO '6 7

"Hobbity". The Glasgow H erald. 6 Apr. 1968, p. 7 ["The "Swann Songs". The Church Times (London), 11 April MYTHLORE 47: Autumn 1986 P a g e 5 9

1968, p. 6. [A short favorable comment: the songs are Each portfolio comes in a folder with Patrick really singable and the price is moderate at 30s.] + Wynne's "Triskelion" (from ML35) printed on the cover. RGEO '6 8 The artwork is reproduced on 9X12" sheets. Write the Art Editor (see page 2 for address) to reserve your Wagenknecht, Edward. "The Record Parade". News-Tribune portfolio (please specify whether you want a signed or (Waltham-Newton, Mass.) 6 Dec. 1967, p. ? [He mentions unsigned portfolio). All profits are used to support his high praise of Vol. I of LOTR and now welcomes Society activities. Suggestions for future portfolios Tolkien's popularity. SWM is an "enchanting wonder tale are encourage, as they are designed for members' in the George MacDonald tradition, skirting the edge of e n jo y m e n t. allegory..." RGEO is an "exceptionally rich and handsome volume.*' PSME is extremely charming and Tolkien reads his own poems w ell.] RGEO '6 7 , PSME '6 7 , SWM '67A

Wheen, N atalie. "Ring-a-Ding". Tablet London) 222 (6 April 1968), 343. ["...only those who are fam iliar with Tolkien's books will really enjoy its contents." "Musically the songs are simple and pleasant.... [but] don't hold together to form a cycle, though Mr. Swann has tried to acheive unity by quoting the opening music in the middle and at the end of the work." She thinks that the effect of the middle one is a failure.] + RGEO '6 8

Wildstrom, Steve. "Tolkien Music: Complex, Cadenced". The Michigan Daily, 30 Nov. 1967, p. 2 [A substantial and thoughtful review. " ... Swann has made a serious effort and has created a complex cycle which must be considered a contribution to the art of the song." "The Road Goes Ever On should have a future in the serious art-song repertoire." SWM illu strates Tolkien's theory Editor's Notes of fairy stories better than LBN did. While Tolkien says nothing profound in Smith, he takes his reader on a magic voyage."] + After reading the announcement about the 18th RGEO '6 7 , PSME '6 7 , SWM '67A Mythopoeic Conference in this issue, I hope that you are as pleased and excited about it as I am. Now is the Woods, Ffrederick], "Poems and Songs of Middle Earth". time to make definite plans to attend, especially if The Gramaphone 45 (May 1968), 607. [An urbane, you have not as yet attended a Mythopoeic Conference. I well-informed comment. "... Mr. Swann's musical regret that with the 17th Conference just recently stylesare not in themselves consistent.... To the held, more of you who I know by actual encounter, Tolkien scholar... Mr. Swann's settings cannot be correspondence, or as a name I recognize from the wholly satisfactory. N evertheless... from a strictly mailing list, have not shared the pleasure, the musical point of view they are engaging and eminently intellectual stimulation, and the great variety of hummable." Headds that the book is "most handsome."] + creativity found at a Mythopoeic Conference. RGEO '6 8 , PSME '6 8 Probably the first thing that enters the mind is the perceived difficulty, both in time and funds, in Mythlore Art Portfolio attending. Those who attend could dissuade you of this in itial mental block, iT you could speak with them. So Over the years Mythlore has published a large I am speaking now, and asking you to reconsider your amount of highly praised fantasy artwork. Few people initial reservation. I can hear you saying, "But I are inclined to cut up their issues of Mythlore in won't know anyone there." The actual situation is quite order to frame these pieces for their w alls. Therefore different. New people are quickly disabused of any such Mythlore has begun a series of portfolios reproducing fear. The Conferences now attract people from all various pieces on quality paper suitable for framing. A parts of the United States, and frequently from other limited number of portfolios are now being offered nations. We come together to share our strongly mutual containing copies signed and numbered by the artists. interests. Indeed, you would be surprised to find the The first portfolio was released at the time of the number of people who are easily approachable Mythopoeic Conference in August, 1986. ("ready-made" friends, as it were), many whose names you would recognize from reading Mythlore. Whether we Signed portfolios are $25. are attendees of many Conferences, or coming for the Unsigned portfolios are $15. first time, all are united during this very special, almost magical time. We step out of ordnary time, Included in the first portfolio are the following leaving television and newspapers behind, into a p ie c e s : different mode of seeing and experiencing.

"M editation of Mordred" (W illiams) by Sarah Beach Next year's Mythopoeic Conference promises to be a (from ML39) very special occasion, and may be the largest "Trothplight at Cerin Amroth" (Tolkien) by Paula Conference to date. There is the possibility that the DiSante (from ML45) housing facilities at Marquette (a former hotel, now "The M istress of the Silver Moon" (MacDonald) by part of the University, with hotel, rather than Nancy-Lou Patterson (from ML21) dormitory comfort) may be filled. At all costa, don't "Till We have Faces" (Lewis) by Patrick Wynne miss this. Make your plans and reservations early. I (from ML39) hope to see you there.