Never before has the esoteric significance of the "Novel of the Century" been explained. At last its profound symbolism is made clear in light of the Hermetic tradition, establishing The Lord of the Rings to be the work of an illuminated imagination. Alchemy in Middle-earth traces J.R.R. Tolkien's motifs to unexpected connections with Scotland, the Middle East, and legendary Atlantis, and unveils the ancient wisdom in Tolkien's great work not only with the Alchemy of the past, but also with the living mystical alchemy of Sufism. In the process, the mysterious relationship between the spirituality of Islam and Tolkien's Christianity is revealed, signifying nothing less than the completion of the Grail quest at the end of an age.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Exporation of Tolkien's Secret Depths,
By Last Knight "Miles" (N California Mountains) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (Hardcover)
J.R.R. Tolkien's magisterial opus, "The Lord Of The Rings" has been examined by many scholars and students, but this book is unique. Mr. Shelton dives deep below the surface of the text attempting to draw out hitherto obscure and veiled connections between this "Most Important Book of The Twentieth Century" the great religious and symbolic traditions of mankind. Much has been made by other reviewers of the "Islamic" character of this book; in fact, the title, "Alchemy In Middle Earth" points to the real essentials of its singular approach. The book attempts to highlight the realities and transcendent truths at the heart of Tolkien's vision. To my understanding, there is no other study of Tolkien that brings the searching light of the perennial philosophical tradition to bear upon the obviously profound hidden depths of "The Lord Of The Rings".... Highly recommended for those with a heart and imagination!
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant,
By Dawoud Kringle "Renegade Sufi" (New York City) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (Hardcover)
"Alchemy in Middle Earth" illustrates how the great J. R. R. Tolkien wove Islamic and Judeo-Christian mystical symbology throughout the Lord of the Rings. I found myself re-reading this book several times.I am a Muslim and I made gifts of this book to some Imams (Islamic "ministers") of my aquaintance. They were all impressed with the content of the book and of the brilliant scholarship of both Tolkien and Shelton.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unusual and surprising perspective on the Lord of The Ring.,
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This review is from: Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (Hardcover)
Undoubtedly the novel of the century, 'Lord of The Rings' is cloaked in multiple layers of meaning. Shelton skilfully uncovers the Sufi/Islamic perspective. A reader's experience of the J.R.R. novel is informed by the variety and depth of his/her knowledge.Shelton brings in an eschatological aspect to the work and includes actual historical figures, past, present and those awaited by the three major religions of the world. In this way Shelton makes J.R.R. Tolkein's novel even more relevant to the future! I loved the insight, provided by Shelton about the Lord of The Rings trilogy, and the neat tie in with Persian, Greek myth and Alchemy. He has researched ancient cultures and at times references Chinese and Indian cultures as well. The common aspects of the Abrahamic faiths also weave in and out of Shelton's narrative. The works of both J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Luis, who were contemporaries and friends, draw upon common themes and Christian/Islamic symbolism. Is this the only influence though? Not at all - the answer depends on how well informed the reader is and how many layers can (s)he uncover? Shelton's work armed me with an unusual and surprising perspective on the Lord of The Ring.
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