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mark12_30 · 01-23-2004, 02:49 PM

Title: Master of Middle-Earth
Author: Paul H. Kocher
Date of Copyright: 1972 (pre-Silmarillion)
Edition: First
Summary description of the book's main themes: Kocher's gentle enthusiasm is infectious, and few negative notes are heard. Everywhere Kocher looks within Tolkien's works, he finds depth and wonder, and happily shares it.
Chapter titles:
I. Middle-Earth: An Imaginary World? Kocher discusses the weaving of the familiar with the fabulous in such a way that the fabulous becomes acceptable, throughout the Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings.
II. The Hobbit is a discussion of the difference in tone and structure between The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, and the difficulties in treating the Hobbit as the Prologue.
III. Cosmic Order. From careful study of the appendices (and without Silmarillion's Ainulindale) Kocher presents a fascinating analysis of fate, doom, destiny, guidance, and outside influence.
IV. Sauron and the Nature of Evil: contrasting free will and dominance.
V. The Free Peoples: a cultural study of Treebeard's List.
VI. Aragorn: An in-depth and heartfelt analysis of the motivations, struggles, trials, and virtues of Strider. This chapter is the reason I began combing through the older critical works. I remember reading it nearly three decades ago, and being astonished that so much could be discerned about a man so many consider mysterious and puzzling. I treasure this chapter.
VII. Seven Leaves: a lovely critical visit to seven of Tolkien's minor works. Treated here are "The Lay of Aotrou And Itroun", "Imram", "The Homecoming of Beorhthnoth", "Leaf by Niggle", "Farmer Giles of Ham", "Smith of Wootton Major", and "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil". He treats each peice insightfully down to individual poems in "Bombadil".
Strengths and weaknesses of the book: It was published pre-silmarillion, and so is missing much that Kocher would no doubt have found helpful; but I find this book wonderful despite that.
Whether you generally recommend this book and why: The final two chapters especially, yes. Generally, even though Kocher wrote Pre-Sil, he is insightful and thorough.
Whether you specifically recommend it for novices and why: That depends. Even though it lacks the balance of the Silmarillion in its analysis, I think it was remarkably insightful for its day. For someone who has loved the Trilogy but hasn't yet been able to make it through the Silmarillion, I might recommend this book as an introduction to critical analysis. I find Kocher very easy to enjoy.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:24 AM January 26, 2004: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

01-23-2004, 02:49 PM	#29
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Title: Master of Middle-Earth Author: Paul H. Kocher Date of Copyright: 1972 (pre-Silmarillion) Edition: First Summary description of the book's main themes: Kocher's gentle enthusiasm is infectious, and few negative notes are heard. Everywhere Kocher looks within Tolkien's works, he finds depth and wonder, and happily shares it. Chapter titles: I. Middle-Earth: An Imaginary World? Kocher discusses the weaving of the familiar with the fabulous in such a way that the fabulous becomes acceptable, throughout the Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings. II. The Hobbit is a discussion of the difference in tone and structure between The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, and the difficulties in treating the Hobbit as the Prologue. III. Cosmic Order. From careful study of the appendices (and without Silmarillion's Ainulindale) Kocher presents a fascinating analysis of fate, doom, destiny, guidance, and outside influence. IV. Sauron and the Nature of Evil: contrasting free will and dominance. V. The Free Peoples: a cultural study of Treebeard's List. VI. Aragorn: An in-depth and heartfelt analysis of the motivations, struggles, trials, and virtues of Strider. This chapter is the reason I began combing through the older critical works. I remember reading it nearly three decades ago, and being astonished that so much could be discerned about a man so many consider mysterious and puzzling. I treasure this chapter. VII. Seven Leaves: a lovely critical visit to seven of Tolkien's minor works. Treated here are "The Lay of Aotrou And Itroun", "Imram", "The Homecoming of Beorhthnoth", "Leaf by Niggle", "Farmer Giles of Ham", "Smith of Wootton Major", and "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil". He treats each peice insightfully down to individual poems in "Bombadil". Strengths and weaknesses of the book: It was published pre-silmarillion, and so is missing much that Kocher would no doubt have found helpful; but I find this book wonderful despite that. Whether you generally recommend this book and why: The final two chapters especially, yes. Generally, even though Kocher wrote Pre-Sil, he is insightful and thorough. Whether you specifically recommend it for novices and why: That depends. Even though it lacks the balance of the Silmarillion in its analysis, I think it was remarkably insightful for its day. For someone who has loved the Trilogy but hasn't yet been able to make it through the Silmarillion, I might recommend this book as an introduction to critical analysis. I find Kocher very easy to enjoy. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:24 AM January 26, 2004: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.