Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Reviews, Nancy-Lou Patterson, Thomas M. Egan, David Bratman

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. J.R.R. Tolkien, Illustrated by the author, Foreword by Christopher Tolkien. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

C.S. Lewis. Joe R. Christopher. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

Daughter of Regals & Other Tales. Stephen R. Donaldson. Reviewed by Thomas M. Egan.

Elfquest — The Blood of Ten Chiefs, Volume One. Edited by Richard Pini, Robert Asprin, and Lynn Abby. Reviewed by David Bratman.

Shadowlands. Film produced by the BBC and the Episcopal Radio-TV Foundation. Directed by Norman Stone; written by William Nicholson. Reviewed by David Bratman.

Charles Williams. Kathleen Spencer. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

Around the Year …

The Figure Of Beatrice In The Works Of Charles Williams, Judith Kollmann

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Keynote address, Mythcon 17. Notes the importance of the figure of Beatrice to Williams, and reviews his use of Beatrician figures in his novels and poems.

Gondolin, Minas Tirith And The Eucatastrophe, Lisa Anne Mende

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Compares the tragic end of Gondolin with the eucatastrophic rescue of Minas Tirith. Similarly, other tales in The Silmarillion end tragically while parallel stories in Lord of the Rings have happier resolutions

Mythopoesis, Sarah Beach

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Discusses the hard-to-define quality of mythopoeic fantasy.

An Interview With Jane Yolen

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Discusses several of Yolen’s stories and her novel Cards of Grief: techniques, influences, experiences with critical reception, recurrent imagery.

Early Review Of Books By J.R.R. Tolkien: Part Vi - Viii, George H. Thompson

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Briefly annotated checklist of minor early secondary materials on Tolkien not represented in Judith A. Johnson’s Six Decades of Tolkien Criticism. The three parts of the final article cover Tree and Leaf, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and The Road Goes Ever On and Poems and Songs of Middle-earth.

Editor's Notes, Glen H. Goodknight

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

Who Is Tom Bombadil?, Gene Hargrove

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Believes that Tolkien knew the nature of Tom Bombadil, but purposely left it enigmatic in The Lord of the Rings. Examines clues left for the reader and concludes that Tom Bombadil is a Vala, specifically Aulë, and Goldberry is therefore Yavanna.

The Epic Hero And Society: Cuchulainn, Beowulf, And Roland, Eleanor Farrell

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Compares legends of Cuchulainn, Beowulf, and The Song of Roland to determine what the portrayal of their respective heroes tells us about the different values of their various cultures.

Dante And Williams: Pilgrims In Purgatory, George Reynolds

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Analyzes All Hallows’ Eve in terms of the symbolism and structure of Dante’s Il Purgatorio. Asserts the importance of the purgatorial aspect, which not all critics recognize.

Reviews, David Bratman, Nancy-Lou Patterson, Benjamin Urrutia

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

The Politics of Fantasy: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Lee D. Rossi. Reviewed by David Bratman.

Shadowlands: The Story of C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman. Brian Sibley. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

The Silver Trumpet. Owen Barfield. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

The Grand Miracle and Other Essays on Theology and Ethics from God in the Dock. C.S. Lewis. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

First and Second Things: Essays on Theology and Ethics. C.S. Lewis. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

The Art of G.K. Chesterton. Alzina Stone Dale. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

The Lord Peter Wimsey Companion. Stephan P. Clarke. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson. …

The Childlike In George Macdonald And C.S. Lewis, Don King

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Asserts that Lewis and MacDonald wrote books not for children but for the childlike in all. Distinguishes between childish and childlike, using examples from the Chronicles of Narnia and MacDonald. Such characters provide links to the childlike within adult readers. Previously appeared as “George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, and the Childlike.

A Feminist Perspective In Williams’ Novels, Amy Nyman

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Looks at women in the novels of Charles Williams from the perspective of feminism, especially feminist theology. Finds a wide range of female characters at various stages of spiritual development, androgyny and inclusiveness in regard to God.

Opening Remarks, Glen Goodknight, Diana Pavlac

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

Grace And Goetia: Magic As Forced Compensation In All Hallows Eve, Bernadette Bosky

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Contrasts the free exchange and substitution of Williams’s principle of co-inherence with the forced exchange of magic, as practiced by Simon the Clerk in All Hallows’ Eve. Previously appeared as “Grace and Goetia: Magic as Forced Compensation in Charles Williams’ All Hallows’ Eve.” Mythcon XVI, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, 1985. Ed. Diana Pavlac: Mythopoeic Society, 1985. 15–30.

Letters, Paula Disante, Christina Scull, Robert A. Hall Jr., Benjamin Urrutia

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

C.S. Lewis’ A Grief Observed As Fiction, George Musacchio

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Supports (although for different reasons) Walter Hooper’s contention that A Grief Observed is only partly autobiographical. Bases his conclusion on literary style, similar past work, the psychology of grief, and letters written by Lewis following his wife’s death.

Reviews, Jessica Yates, Thomas M. Egan, Nancy-Lou Patterson

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

The Lays of Beleriand. J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien. Reviewed by Jessica Yates.

The Neverending Story. Michael Ende, translated from the German by Ralph Manheim. Reviewed by Thomas M. Egan.

The Magdalen Metaphysicals: Idealism and Orthodoxy at Oxford. James Patrick. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

Secret Gardens. Humphrey Carpenter. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

VII - An Anglo-American Literary Review. Volume 6. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, Dr. Clyde S. Kilby, and Dr. Beatrice Batson. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson.

Tolkien On Fantasy In Smith Of Wootton Major, Margaret Sammons

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Analyzes Smith of Wootton Major as a statement of Tolkien’s theories on fantasy writing, particularly on the nature of Faerie, and notes autobiographical elements related to Tolkien’s writing career, especially his concern about finishing his legendarium in the time left to him. (Note: the issue gives her first name as Margaret, which is incorrect.)

Saruman, ‘Sharkey,’ And Suruman: Analogous Figures Of Eastern Ingenuity And Cunning, J. S. Ryan

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Speculates about linguistic connotations of Saruman-Sharkey, especially Suruman (vassal of an ancient Assyrian king) and various etymologies of “shark.”

Early Review Of Books By J.R.R. Tolkien: Part Iii, George H. Thompson

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Briefly annotated checklist of minor early secondary materials on Tolkien not represented in Judith A. Johnson’s Six Decades of Tolkien Criticism. Part III covers The Return of the King.

Arwen, Shadow Bride, Melanie Rawls

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Sees Arwen’s story as a “cautionary tale against passivity.” By taking no part in the achieving of Aragorn’s kingdom or the risks and rewards of the Ring quest, she has not developed the character or true understanding of mortality (and what lies beyond death) that would make her end less tragic.

Editor's Notes: A Milestone, Glen Goodknight

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

Invasion From Eternity: Time And Myth In Middle-Earth, Sally Bartlett

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Compares the creation story and history of Middle-earth and of our world as set forth in the Bible, and shows “how every age of Middle-earth mirrors the Christian tale through [...] creation, degeneration, sacrifice, and renewal” without descending to allegory.

Editorial, Glen Goodknight

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

Gollum: A Misunderstood Hero, David Callaway

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Considers the question of where Gollum fits within the overall Christian framework of Middle-earth, and proposes that he is “an emblem of the internal dilemma faced by all creatures in a Christian-based cosmology [...] each must struggle with his own inherent evil.” Argues that Gollum, still retaining some goodness and potential after holding the Ring for 478 years, was a hero who consciously chose to destroy the Ring at the end.

Still Another Definition Of Poetry, Marilyn Jurich

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

The Excellent Absurdity: Substitution And Co-Inherence In C.S. Lewis And Charles Williams, Nancy C. Hanger

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Cites examples of Williams’s notions of coinherence and exchange in both his works and those of Lewis.

Letters, Nancy C. Hanger, Margaret R. Purdy, David Doughan, Stephan Peregrine, Wendell Wagner Jr., Anders Stenstrom, Scott Smith

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

In The Forge Of Los: Tolkien And The Art Of Creative Fantasy, Mary Aileen Schmiel

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Examines a number of concepts in Tolkien’s works—fall and redemption, good and evil, transcendence and transformation, touching on creativity, fate, and the hero’s journey along the way. Relates the final stage of the hero-journey, bringing back the boon, to the role of the artist in maintaining a sense of Recovery in our relationship with the world.