The Tolkien Forum Fansite
Book Description
Wright's book is a compelling alternative to both unbridled praise and dismissive criticism. Readable yet scholarly, it takes into account the full breadth of Tolkien's writings -- everything from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to The Silmarillion and The History of Middle-Earth; from Tolkien's Letters to his published essays. And in the closing chapters, Wright boldly offers compelling alternatives to his own conclusions, which demonstrates his desire for a responsible approach to handling Tolkien's work. He is not overly concerned with being "right."
Over the last fifty years,The Lord of the Rings has been lauded as "The Book of the Twentieth Century," and called "required reading in every Christian household." It has been attacked by literary critics and religious leaders. Its detractors are many; its defenders are legion. But there is another option.
"The chief purpose of life, for any one of us," Tolkien said, "is to increase according to our capacity our knowledge of God by all the means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks."
After fifty years, it's about time to get a real handle on dealing with Tolkien's work in the way Tolkien intended. For many, The Lord of the Rings has proven little more than a distraction from what Tolkien called the "chief purpose of life," while still remaining a terribly neglected means of bringing others to praise and thanks.
