[Read and download] Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth (Heritage) Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth (Heritage)

JXE7cMgzT Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle- slQoA04wS earth (Heritage) nQh0CiNv3 XN-58564 zG1fu3Sc8 US/Data/Literature-Fiction DlTqWXTW6 3.5/5 From 799 Reviews bMhLvpgrP Marjorie Burns sfcOzpYCj DOC | *audiobook | ebooks | Download PDF | ePub NzHybSeR3 g74xpkL8r JrGDC2oVM lIUJCbQYM 4zqcBsphQ XkWgyopwF 4oZJKQvs8 51 of 52 people found the following review helpful. WITHOUT APOLOGYBy yg6AYGViA Hank NapkinOne of the finest characteristics of Tolkien's work is that it is easily bZ30ygrxh as enjoyable to think about as it is to read. And despite the completeness, c0b2Bs4US volume and excruciating detail of his literature, his work in particular exhibits a 7mnxcUkjO singular ability to create the desire for even more among his readers. Given the Hk8gjtw6p depth and range of Tolkien's legendarium connections and inferences fly in all pk35GQ1Zn directions and the concentration required in tracking them down and relating TTZn8wfgK them to the work is obviously why they call it Tolkien Scholarship. oo53WTXVX Consequently, there is almost no shortage of books, critical and scholarly works rbb2SN22u available to those interested in making the kind of connections capable of 6h7LoxvEX greatly expanding their appreciation and comprehension of Middle-earth, its sUmkHrpvh sources, intricacies, meaning, philosophy, structure and context. And "Perilous J5P6L4MOK Realms" is one of the finest.Marjorie Burns has accomplished something a bit WJoLvjSCu rare for readers of Tolkien. This is a book that remains inviting and accessible R5luHTWxp without sacrificing any intellectual weight. Her focus on linking narrative sources of "The Silmarillion", "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" to Celtic and Norse mythologies does not narrow the field -- this approach proves more than adequate to the task of bringing the vastness of her subject within reach.But there remains a nagging sense of Apologia, especially in her chapter on the technique Tolkien uses to add dimension to his principal characters. Here, as with the work of Shippey and others, the reader can't help but get the sense that there's some element geared at the appeasement of mainstream literature and literary critics who so often dismiss Tolkien's work, in many cases unread. Burns' critical insights are strong enough without the seemingly obligatory nod to those literati who choose, simply on the basis of their personal preference, to remain blind and deaf to Tolkien. Such critics' denial of the worth of this work isn't based on literary criteria anyway. So it's safe to assume they'll remain unswayed, whether they become aware of the intricacy and depth of these works or not. With or without them, Tolkien's work is hardly short of either advocates or legitimacy.That said, Burns' language remains concise, her presentation remains linear even through the often less-than-linear ambles that make much of Tolkien so compelling. Her writing favors clarity over the overtly technical. And, perhaps most importantly, her insights are actually highly original, their exposition extremely convincing. This book complements and informs the content of many other works on Tolkien rather than merely burnishing already familiar ideas. Her ability to illuminate both the far-reaching and fundamental concepts within the literature makes this one of the most enjoyable and informative critical books you'll read on Tolkien's work.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An interesting reviewBy Will JeromAs a fan of Tolkien since childhood I enjoyed this book. I don't necessarily agree with every point of view or proposition that Burns makes, but she does illustrate some fascinating possible connections between Tolkien's work and Celtic and Norse mythology. Other literary influences are also included, and the book seems a valuable corrective to the overemphasis on Tolkien as a Christian, Catholic writer. True, Tolkien was a Catholic, and this has important and undeniable implications for his work. Burns, however, explores some of the non-Christian influences further than other writers or biographers of Tolkien have done. Burns explores these links, without making too strong a claim about their definitive nature. In short, she offers a valuable explanation, without claiming to have the only valid explanation of Tolkien's influences.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Extremely Useful for Any Aspiring Tolkien ScholarBy Lynette DumontThis book was extremely useful to me when I was writing my capstone thesis for my undergraduate degree. I wrote on the topic of Tolkien's use of Celtic mythology, and this book was one of the most helpful books I found. Burns supports her analyses very well, and presents them in an easy-to-read fashion. She discusses in this book a subject that is often dismissed out-of-hand and prematurely in the realm of scholarly works on Tolkien--his use of Celtic myths and tales of Farie. Many people who have reviewed this item have committed this cardinal sin, dismissing Burns's work as a pack of heinous lies--despite the fact that Burns is meticulously careful with backing up her analyses with examples from almost every main text Tolkien wrote. This book is an essential for anyone who aspires to be a Tolkien scholar or even a scholar of modern fantasy literature--and it is easy enough to read that even people who are just fans of Tolkien's works will be able to enjoy it.

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) is increasingly recognized as the most influential writer of the twentieth century. Sales of his books remain exceptionally high, and Middle-earth fan clubs flourish around the world. The massive success of the film versions made of The Lord of the Rings, and released between 2001 and 2003, have only added to his popularity.Throughout his life, Tolkien was acutely aware of the power of myth in shaping society; so much so, that one of his earliest ambitions as a writer ...