jeanm333's review
4.0
I'm a huge fan of Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) and CS Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) so I was intrigued by this book. The author discusses I1) the journey of the hero (Joseph Campbell), (2) several virtues, plus friendship, and (3) types of evil. He shows how these themes are exemplified by the LOTR and the Chronicles. For example, he discusses how the friendships of Sam and Frodo and the other characters in the Fellowship of the Ring drive the story and are important and uses Gollum as one type of evil.
Markos says evil isn't inherent but that people become evil. I need to think about this more. Actually, I found a lot to think about as I read the book.
Some of Markos' examples are stretched a little in the Chronicles, but for the most part, the examples work in both writers' works.
Markos does base his views in a Christian/Catholic context (Tolkien and Lewis were both Catholic), but even if you aren't Catholic, you'll enjoy reading about the characters in these tales. It helps if you have already read the stories.
He mixes in information about both Tolkien and Lewis, most of which I knew, but which those who don't know these authors well would find very interesting.
I believe fiction has a lot to tell us - well-done, high-quality fiction, that is - and these two stories are, in my opinion, the highest quality fiction of the 20th century. Even if you are not a fan of fiction, you may find your views changing after reading this book. If you haven't read LOTR and the Chronicles (which, by the way, are not just for children), it might inspire you to read them. I'm going to do some re-reading...soon.
Markos says evil isn't inherent but that people become evil. I need to think about this more. Actually, I found a lot to think about as I read the book.
Some of Markos' examples are stretched a little in the Chronicles, but for the most part, the examples work in both writers' works.
Markos does base his views in a Christian/Catholic context (Tolkien and Lewis were both Catholic), but even if you aren't Catholic, you'll enjoy reading about the characters in these tales. It helps if you have already read the stories.
He mixes in information about both Tolkien and Lewis, most of which I knew, but which those who don't know these authors well would find very interesting.
I believe fiction has a lot to tell us - well-done, high-quality fiction, that is - and these two stories are, in my opinion, the highest quality fiction of the 20th century. Even if you are not a fan of fiction, you may find your views changing after reading this book. If you haven't read LOTR and the Chronicles (which, by the way, are not just for children), it might inspire you to read them. I'm going to do some re-reading...soon.
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