msgtdameron's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Aroused a lot of memories of summer camp and having the Hobbit read to us campers as a story. This led to reading the Lord of the Rings and a love of fantasy adventure. Any work, such as Poe or the Hobbit, that takes me back to Camp Susquehanna, and those summers from 71 through 75 are always a magical memory and add to the magic and mystery of those experiences. Any work that gives a better understanding of works I have reread is even better, but still tinged with long summer evenings, campfires, horses, haying, and a simpler time.
germancho's review
3.0
Es una recopilación de ensayos y reflexiones sobre la Obra de Tolkien, por escritores de Ciencia Ficción. Tiene su gracia, especialmente por el ensayo de Orson Scott Card, y otros de ese calibre. Otros articulos estan muy mal escritos, o son simplemente ridiculos. Sin embargo, seria bacano que los detractores de Tolkien lo leyeran. Un MedioMedio.
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This collection of essays brings together well-known voices of the fantasy genre to speak about Tolkien's legacy. Many of them recount when and in what conditions they first read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Some take a slightly different path, like Ursula K. Le Guin waxing lyrical on Tolkien's poetry. Douglas A. Anderson recounts tells about Tolkien's reception and Christopher Tolkien's work.
Although this collection isn't ground-breaking, I think it's fascinating for several reasons. First, most of the author's are writers of fantasy (and science-fiction for a few of them), telling what Tolkien means to them as readers, yes, but mostly as writers. Then, it's a snapshot of Tolkien's reception right before the first movie by Peter Jackson was released. Only one, Douglas A. Anderson, actually mentions that, but I think it's important. Most of the authors in this collection first read Tolkien in the 1960s, and it was really great to hear about what it was like experiencing these books at such a different time, when fantasy wasn't as widespread and meeting fellow enthusiasts wasn't as easy as clicking on an app icon.
Although this collection isn't ground-breaking, I think it's fascinating for several reasons. First, most of the author's are writers of fantasy (and science-fiction for a few of them), telling what Tolkien means to them as readers, yes, but mostly as writers. Then, it's a snapshot of Tolkien's reception right before the first movie by Peter Jackson was released. Only one, Douglas A. Anderson, actually mentions that, but I think it's important. Most of the authors in this collection first read Tolkien in the 1960s, and it was really great to hear about what it was like experiencing these books at such a different time, when fantasy wasn't as widespread and meeting fellow enthusiasts wasn't as easy as clicking on an app icon.
orangefan65's review against another edition
4.0
Several of these essays were very enjoyable and showed the fan's heart of even the well-known fantasy writer. A couple essays were, I admit, a bit self-serving but this book is recommended certainly.
hopeboyce's review against another edition
Most essays were not very good, I’d read the ones I was looking for (Ursula le Guin) and I had to return it to the library.
slferg's review against another edition
5.0
Thought I had already read this - had it for a long time, but looking it over discovered I hadn't.
These are essays written by authors/illustrators for whom the discovery and reading of Lord of the Rings changed their lives and opened up new worlds to them. Edith Friesner's essay was a wonderful read - I laughed most of the way through it. Raymond Feist's was also quite good. I enjoyed the interview with the Hildebrandt brothers on their experience and their calendars. Ursula Le Guin's was an interesting essay, speaking of Tolkien's rhythm of language. There were many good stories and ideas on Tolkien by top ranked authors - many of whom I had read. A very enjoyable book.
These are essays written by authors/illustrators for whom the discovery and reading of Lord of the Rings changed their lives and opened up new worlds to them. Edith Friesner's essay was a wonderful read - I laughed most of the way through it. Raymond Feist's was also quite good. I enjoyed the interview with the Hildebrandt brothers on their experience and their calendars. Ursula Le Guin's was an interesting essay, speaking of Tolkien's rhythm of language. There were many good stories and ideas on Tolkien by top ranked authors - many of whom I had read. A very enjoyable book.
nannahnannah's review against another edition
3.5
This collection of essays has two types of reflections on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy: actual talk about its effect on sci fi and fantasy as genres and its impact on the publishing industry - and the authors swooning over the first time they read the trilogy. Obviously, the latter is less interesting.
Of course, like most compilations, it is a grab bag of excellent and so-so writings, though Orson Scott Card proves yet to be an ass. it reflects quite clearly through his piece, which seems to talk more about defending his own homophobia/racist/intolerances than anything about J. R. R. Tolkien or his writings.
But as a writer and as someone with an interest in both Lord of the Rings and the publishing industry, this was a very interesting read.
Of course, like most compilations, it is a grab bag of excellent and so-so writings, though Orson Scott Card proves yet to be an ass. it reflects quite clearly through his piece, which seems to talk more about defending his own homophobia/racist/intolerances than anything about J. R. R. Tolkien or his writings.
But as a writer and as someone with an interest in both Lord of the Rings and the publishing industry, this was a very interesting read.
quoththegirl's review against another edition
3.0
A rather random collection of essays be famous authors (mainly science fiction and fantasy) who love Tolkien. Some of them are a bit repetitive (there are really only so many ways you can say that Tolkien was a genius and inspired everyone), but many of the essays are entertaining purely for the writer's particular style. I especially loved this quote by Esther M. Friesner: “I am a writer. I have received money for doing this on several occasions, so the odds are that I will continue on this unfortunate course until someone catches wise. (If you don’t want a writer to come back, don’t feed him. This is a good, practical rule, and applies to cats as well. Writers are a lot like cats in this and many other respects, except for the part about being able to wash ourselves all over with our tongues. Dang.)”
onceandfuturelaura's review against another edition
3.0
Readible, with the exception of the Orson Scott Card contribution. With apologies to another reviewer, who said it SO much better than I'm going to:
" Orson Scott Card seizes the opportunity to get up on his big stupid hobby horse about how modernism is dumb. “Modernists treat everything as allegory,” he growls, harrumphing and popping his monocle. Then he makes up some imaginary straw-man argument in which a modernist read allegorically, and then rips that apart like tissue. Well done, Mr Card! You win a gold star for being deliberately obtuse about modernism, and then sounding like a grumpy old jackass on top of that." -- (Ceridewin, taken without permission, full review available at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68120971)
I stopped reading Card's review when he said that "Ulysses can be taught. Tolkien can only be read" or something like that. I get that Tolkien didn't like allegory. That doesn't mean that his books aren't worth a deep read. As someone who's become a big fan of Dr. Cory Olson, the Tolkien Professor's, podcast, it makes me grumpy. http://www.tolkienprofessor.com/wp/. It's one of those things my husband and I listen to together. Like Smodcast.
It's largely a collection of "how I came to Tolkien" stories, which got a little tiresome. Le Guin's contribution on metrics was awesome, and Pratchett's discussion of the book's "cult" status is hilarious.
" Orson Scott Card seizes the opportunity to get up on his big stupid hobby horse about how modernism is dumb. “Modernists treat everything as allegory,” he growls, harrumphing and popping his monocle. Then he makes up some imaginary straw-man argument in which a modernist read allegorically, and then rips that apart like tissue. Well done, Mr Card! You win a gold star for being deliberately obtuse about modernism, and then sounding like a grumpy old jackass on top of that." -- (Ceridewin, taken without permission, full review available at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68120971)
I stopped reading Card's review when he said that "Ulysses can be taught. Tolkien can only be read" or something like that. I get that Tolkien didn't like allegory. That doesn't mean that his books aren't worth a deep read. As someone who's become a big fan of Dr. Cory Olson, the Tolkien Professor's, podcast, it makes me grumpy. http://www.tolkienprofessor.com/wp/. It's one of those things my husband and I listen to together. Like Smodcast.
It's largely a collection of "how I came to Tolkien" stories, which got a little tiresome. Le Guin's contribution on metrics was awesome, and Pratchett's discussion of the book's "cult" status is hilarious.
imrereads's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was so fascinating! One of my favourite genres are author memoirs, and while this isn't that, it feels related to it. 16 authors (and a pair of illustrators) write about their relationship to Tolkien and his literary works, in particular the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. Now, I'm someone who grew up on the films, and didn't read the Hobbit until I was an adult (and I still haven't read LotR!), but it was so interesting to see how all these people found themselves falling in love with that world and how it — for many of them — ultimately influensed them to become authors themselves.
I'd recommend reading this if you like Tolkiens work or if you enjoy reading about authors talking about their influences.
I'd recommend reading this if you like Tolkiens work or if you enjoy reading about authors talking about their influences.