J.R.R. Tolkien (New Casebooks) - Softcover

"This Casebook of approaches to Tolkien is a fine introduction to the breadth and concerns of Tolkien criticism for undergraduate readers, yet advances some new ideas that will intrigue the scholar. The essays are uniformly readable and deal with perennially interesting topics: gender, film, ecology, and children's and young adult books that influenced or were influenced by Tolkien's works." - Janet B Croft, University of Oklahoma Libraries, USA

"This wide-ranging collection of essays has much to offer students of fantasy, children's literature, film, illustration, and anyone who has a deep interest in Tolkien's writings. Contributors analyse the puzzlement that has been evident in surrounding critical commentary to date and, using material from his letters, essays, and his books themselves, explore Tolkien's art from a variety of illuminating perspectives." - Susan Hancock, University of Roehampton, UK

J. R. R. Tolkien is arguably the most influential and popular of all fantasy writers. Although his position and status have long been controversial, his popularity has not faded. His best-loved works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, have sold millions of copies around the world and continue to enthral readers young and old.

This lively collection of original essays examines The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in the light of children's literature theory and approaches, as well as from adult and fantasy literature perspectives. Exploring issues such as gender, language, worldbuilding, and ecocriticism, the volume also places Tolkien's works in the context of a range of visual media, including Peter Jackson's film adaptations.