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Writing Down the Dragon
'This book is not for the Wise, but for my fellow beginners in the craft of Fantasy, who are trying to learn some of the master's techniques and want to compare notes.' — From the introduction
There are shelves full of books about the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, most written from the perspective of academics and literary critics. Here is one from the point of view of the working fantasy writer. How did Tolkien produce his effects, and what can we learn from his methods? In this collection, Tom Simon investigates topics from the uses of archaic language to the moral philosophy of Orcs.
The book contains eleven essays on
The Riddles of the Wise
The Tolkien Method
The Rhetoric of Middle-earth
Frodo's Vaunt
The Method and the Morgoth
What Is Elf?
The Terminal Orc
Writing Down the Dragon
Moorcock, Saruman, and the Dragon's Tail
The Abyss and the Critics
Lost Tales, Unattained Vistas
Some of these pieces have previously appeared on the author's website in slightly different forms.
There are shelves full of books about the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, most written from the perspective of academics and literary critics. Here is one from the point of view of the working fantasy writer. How did Tolkien produce his effects, and what can we learn from his methods? In this collection, Tom Simon investigates topics from the uses of archaic language to the moral philosophy of Orcs.
The book contains eleven essays on
The Riddles of the Wise
The Tolkien Method
The Rhetoric of Middle-earth
Frodo's Vaunt
The Method and the Morgoth
What Is Elf?
The Terminal Orc
Writing Down the Dragon
Moorcock, Saruman, and the Dragon's Tail
The Abyss and the Critics
Lost Tales, Unattained Vistas
Some of these pieces have previously appeared on the author's website in slightly different forms.
- GenresWritingNonfictionEssays
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 26, 2013
This is a set of essays with some taken from his blog regarding Tolkien and his works along with Tolkiens' critics.
As he writes in the intro 'This book is not for the Wise, but for my fellow beginners in the craft of Fantasy, who are trying to learn some of the master's techniques and want to compare notes.'
Still with that caveat I learned quite a lot from these long from essays and there was much that I found very interesting. Besides I
think what he has to say is much wiser than many concerning Tolkien. Normally I would not be inclined to read essays of this sort, but after I had read his essay "The Terminal Orc" I was quite open to this book as it just came out.
Plus I liked that it did not lack theological depth and he understood the profound influence that Tolkien's Catholicism. I have read two of this authors novels and I quite enjoyed them and they were not just common Fantasy fare. I have also seen this authors comments over on John C. Wright's blog that have also impressed me. I had been wondering if Tom Simon was a Catholic as some of the essays I read before made me think that, and from this book I learned that he is in fact a convert to the faith, a latecomer as he writes.
As he writes in the intro 'This book is not for the Wise, but for my fellow beginners in the craft of Fantasy, who are trying to learn some of the master's techniques and want to compare notes.'
Still with that caveat I learned quite a lot from these long from essays and there was much that I found very interesting. Besides I
think what he has to say is much wiser than many concerning Tolkien. Normally I would not be inclined to read essays of this sort, but after I had read his essay "The Terminal Orc" I was quite open to this book as it just came out.
Plus I liked that it did not lack theological depth and he understood the profound influence that Tolkien's Catholicism. I have read two of this authors novels and I quite enjoyed them and they were not just common Fantasy fare. I have also seen this authors comments over on John C. Wright's blog that have also impressed me. I had been wondering if Tom Simon was a Catholic as some of the essays I read before made me think that, and from this book I learned that he is in fact a convert to the faith, a latecomer as he writes.
February 3, 2014
Tom Simon's book Writing Down the Dragon is a collection of essays on J.R.R. Tolkien's writings and his style. He specifically looks at Tolkien's techniques for crafting stories and the various tools he uses, from ancient myths and made-up languages to resolving contradictions in texts. Simon does not claim to be definitive; he, as a fantasy writer, looks to Tolkien as an inspiration and model for writing fantasy epics. He has a lot of interesting insights and a lively writing style. Fans of Tolkien are sure to enjoy this book.
Sample Quote on how Orcs, being the evil characters they are, use morals:
Sample Quote on how Orcs, being the evil characters they are, use morals:
Orcs have morals; they just happen to be coupled with a hypocrisy so perfect that it is essentially unconscious. Morals are a stick to beat their enemies with, never a ruler to measure their own behaviour. [Kindle Locations 1452-1453]
September 26, 2019
A collection of essays on how Tolkien wrote. From his blog, on which yours truly is a reader and commenter, revising.
It touches on his inspirations, and on how he used language to distinguish. Essays apiece on how he treated elves, and the problem of orcs (noting that in real life, there really are people with as little conscience -- we call them sociopaths), and the treatment of dragons in his sources and what he made of them.
One on Moorcock's essay on humor in fantasy because that essay treats heavily with Tolkien. A review of The Children of Hurin Interesting stuff.
It touches on his inspirations, and on how he used language to distinguish. Essays apiece on how he treated elves, and the problem of orcs (noting that in real life, there really are people with as little conscience -- we call them sociopaths), and the treatment of dragons in his sources and what he made of them.
One on Moorcock's essay on humor in fantasy because that essay treats heavily with Tolkien. A review of The Children of Hurin Interesting stuff.
May 3, 2014
A thoughtful, insightful, and fascinating exploration of Tolkien's world and his writing process, including a call to arms for fantasy writers to do better than we have been. Highly highly highly recommended.
August 4, 2017
This book of erudite essays is not for everyone. But Tolkien admirers and Tolkien scholars alike will find this non-fiction book examining J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing techniques not just fascinating, but bordering on a feast. It’s a work of scholarship and genius, with much to recommend it to any fantasy author wishing to take apart a master fantasist’s works and see what makes his stories tick.
Oddly enough, it starts out by taking Tolkien at his word when he says that The Lord of the Rings arose from his invented languages. We are then taken on a short but thorough and enthralling side-tour of modern literary criticism forms so we can be told, “No, don’t read such things into his work.”
Then Tolkien’s true influences shine forth. Here we have a discussion of Tolkien’s polylingual background which led to his intentional use of different voices for various races. There we see revealed the myths that are the crux of ancient languages that he mingled in unusual ways (there’s a pattern). Tolkien’s influences from not only his philological background and his chosen Catholicism and, indeed, all of Western thought are laid bare. The lineage, rationale and Tolkien’s documented and extrapolated thought processes behind his creation of orcs, elves, dwarves, dragons and Rings are revealed in insights of unexpected splendor.
Not all of the author’s comments are glowing. Much is made—and rightfully so—about Tolkien’s inability to finish his Lost Tales or The Silmarillion. There, too, are lessons to be learned by example. The reasons Tolkien was sidetracked were only partly known to this reviewer, and I learned from them. These insights may also prove very useful and instructive to novice through experienced writers.
Finally, after a rather thorough bibliography, quotes in the book are sourced. References are located in the back in a way that takes into account the vagaries of ebooks and their lack of page-numbering. This is good, as Writing Down the Dragon is a work to be re-read and studied.
Much of the information in this book was new to me and—as an avid Tolkien reader—I will guard it in my heart as jealously as any dragon’s hoard. Tom Simon’s words, and insights, shine like gold.
Oddly enough, it starts out by taking Tolkien at his word when he says that The Lord of the Rings arose from his invented languages. We are then taken on a short but thorough and enthralling side-tour of modern literary criticism forms so we can be told, “No, don’t read such things into his work.”
Then Tolkien’s true influences shine forth. Here we have a discussion of Tolkien’s polylingual background which led to his intentional use of different voices for various races. There we see revealed the myths that are the crux of ancient languages that he mingled in unusual ways (there’s a pattern). Tolkien’s influences from not only his philological background and his chosen Catholicism and, indeed, all of Western thought are laid bare. The lineage, rationale and Tolkien’s documented and extrapolated thought processes behind his creation of orcs, elves, dwarves, dragons and Rings are revealed in insights of unexpected splendor.
Not all of the author’s comments are glowing. Much is made—and rightfully so—about Tolkien’s inability to finish his Lost Tales or The Silmarillion. There, too, are lessons to be learned by example. The reasons Tolkien was sidetracked were only partly known to this reviewer, and I learned from them. These insights may also prove very useful and instructive to novice through experienced writers.
Finally, after a rather thorough bibliography, quotes in the book are sourced. References are located in the back in a way that takes into account the vagaries of ebooks and their lack of page-numbering. This is good, as Writing Down the Dragon is a work to be re-read and studied.
Much of the information in this book was new to me and—as an avid Tolkien reader—I will guard it in my heart as jealously as any dragon’s hoard. Tom Simon’s words, and insights, shine like gold.
April 27, 2013
Tom Simon is an essayist of some ability (bondwine.com). Here are collected several of his critical essays on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien -- not only the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings, but also Farmer Giles of Ham, the Silmarillion and the Children of Hurin. This book is not a fan hagiography, but a real work of appreciative criticism (as opposed to the trashing sometimes given to J.R.R.T. by critics such as Moorcock).
The quality is uneven, as you might find in any collection of essays; but the insights are very interesting and sometimes quite valuable. Recommended highly to those who enjoy Tolkien's work, and also to those who sneer at it.
The quality is uneven, as you might find in any collection of essays; but the insights are very interesting and sometimes quite valuable. Recommended highly to those who enjoy Tolkien's work, and also to those who sneer at it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews