false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165611131m/7336.jpg 7336 18 There may be a corner of the world where the name J.R.R. Tolkien is unknown, but you would be hard-pressed to find it. Since their publication, <I>The Hobbit</I> and <I>The Lord of the Rings</I> have been published in every major language of the world. And though he single-handedly gave a mythology to the English and was beloved by millions, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien remained refreshingly unchanged by his fame and fortune, living out his days simply and modestly among the familiar surroundings of Oxford College. Humphrey Carpenter, who was given unrestricted access to Tolkien's papers, brilliantly puts meat to the bones of the Tolkien legend in <I>J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography</I>, offering a well-rounded portrayal of this quiet, bookish man who always saw himself first and foremost as a philologist, uncovering rather than creating the peoples, languages, and adventures of Middle-Earth.<p> Carpenter chronicles Tolkien's early life with a special sensitivity; after losing both parents, Tolkien and his brother Hilary were taken from their idyllic life in the English countryside to a poverty-ridden existence in dark and sooty Birmingham. There were bright points, however. A social and cheerful lad, Tolkien enjoyed rugby and was proud of his gift for languages. It was also at this time that he met Edith Bratt, who would later become his wife. Academic life--both as a student and professor--is where this biography shines. Friendship with other men played a huge part in Tolkien's life, and Carpenter deftly reveals the importance these relationships--his complex friendship with C.S. Lewis, membership in the Inklings and the T.C.B.S.--had on the development of his writing.<p> The only criticism one can make about this book is that Carpenter tends to gloss over Tolkien's contributions to comparative philology. True, there is a chapter devoted to Tolkien's academic pursuits, but it tends to skim too lightly over the surface for this reviewer's tastes. Philology is a terribly methodical science, and the author clearly did not want to alienate readers who were primarily interested in Tolkien as a storyteller. Still, it would be nice to understand why Tolkien was held in such high esteem by his fellow academics. As it stands, Tolkien comes off as a slightly eccentric etymologist.<p> Fans who want to delve even deeper into Tolkien's life should pick up a copy of Carpenter's <I>The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien</I>. <I>--P.M. Atterberry</I> 493147 book 1977 J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography total:407|5:5|4:9|3:5|2:0|1:0| 407 1608 573 40 4 0 false false Fri Jan 30 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Fri Jan 30 19:04:40 -0800 2009 Fri Jan 30 19:17:44 -0800 2009 more...]]> 4 0 false false Mon Sep 14 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Aug 26 08:04:57 -0700 2009 Mon Sep 14 14:42:55 -0700 2009 more...]]> 3 1 true false Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Fri Aug 29 09:58:01 -0700 2008 Fri Aug 29 09:59:52 -0700 2008 4 0 false false Tue Jul 14 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Jun 15 07:45:44 -0700 2009 Tue Jul 14 18:04:19 -0700 2009 The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien). Overall it is very well researched and written.

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This biography is fair and gives a vivid detail of not only the life of Tolkien but also the times and events that shaped the man. I would have liked to have seen more into the light of his religion as well as the dep...more...]]> 4 0 false false Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Thu Aug 14 18:19:12 -0700 2008 Thu Aug 14 18:37:40 -0700 2008 the Lord of the Rings. I truly enjoyed it far better this time more than when I was in my twenties and read it. When I came across this Bio at Half Price Books I was smitten. I had to know what made Tolkein who he was. I found in him a kindred spirit. Lewis said of him...more...]]> 4 0 false false Fri Dec 12 04:49:27 -0800 2008 Sat Dec 13 20:18:34 -0800 2008 1 The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in my youth and have been a devoted fan of Tolkien and fantasy ever since. From this biography, I was delighted to learn that Tolkein was a dedicated family man with an abiding faith in Jesus Christ. Although Tolkein really lived a very qui...more...]]> 4 0 false false Tue Feb 10 12:07:44 -0800 2009 Tue Feb 10 12:11:33 -0800 2009 5 0 false false Wed Feb 18 18:00:50 -0800 2009 Wed Feb 18 18:02:39 -0800 2009 1 5 0 false false Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Tue Oct 09 09:55:33 -0700 2007 Sat Nov 17 14:22:30 -0800 2007 more...]]> 4 0 false false Tue Feb 18 00:00:00 -0800 2003 Wed May 13 14:28:12 -0700 2009 Wed May 13 14:29:26 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Tue May 05 14:51:34 -0700 2009 Tue May 05 14:53:21 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006 Thu Nov 12 07:47:08 -0800 2009 Thu Nov 12 07:47:49 -0800 2009 3 0 false false Tue Mar 10 16:47:26 -0700 2009 Tue Mar 10 16:47:48 -0700 2009 3 0 false false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2004 Sun Jan 18 18:42:15 -0800 2009 Sun Jan 18 18:44:14 -0800 2009 0 0 false false Sat Nov 21 09:28:44 -0800 2009 Sat Nov 21 09:28:44 -0800 2009 4 1 false false Sat Nov 01 21:38:09 -0700 2008 Sun Apr 19 14:36:51 -0700 2009 more...]]> 4 0 false false Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Sat Dec 22 15:01:21 -0800 2007 Sat Dec 22 15:05:08 -0800 2007 more...]]> 4 0 true false Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Mon May 26 08:51:18 -0700 2008 Mon May 26 08:54:22 -0700 2008 more...]]> 5 0 false false Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Tue Feb 12 06:32:59 -0800 2008 Tue Mar 04 04:16:01 -0800 2008 more...]]> http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=7336