Master of Middle-Earth: The Fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien [Mass Market Paperback]

paul h. kocher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 1982

As is the case with all great works of art, J. R. R. Tolkien’s masterpieces generously repay close attention and study. In this thoroughly entertaining and perceptive volume, winner of the prestigious Mythopoeic Society Scholarship Award, Professor Kocher examines the sources that Tolkien drew upon in fashioning Middle-earth and its inhabitants—and provides valuable insights into the author’s aims and methods. Ranging from The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings to The Silmarillion and beyond, Master of Middle-earth opens the door to a deeper and richer appreciation of Tolkien’s magnificent achievement. Inside you will discover

• Why Aragorn is the most misunderstood character in The Lord of the Rings . . . and its true hero.
• The origin of Sauron—and the nature of evil in Tolkien’s universe.
• The opposing forces of destiny and free will in Frodo’s quest.
• The Cosmology of Middle-earth—is it our world at an earlier time, or does it exist in a fantastic Elsewhere?
• How Tolkien’s ideas of morality, religion, and social order underlie every aspect of his life’s work.


Plus a fascinating look at such lesser-known works of Tolkien’s as “Leaf by Niggle,” “Smith of Wootton Major,” and many others!

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Mr. Kocher marks out the ground on which we should take Tolkien seriously. He is a sensible, unpedantic guide.”
—The New York Review of Books

“Without a doubt, the very best book on Tolkien’s fantasy.”
—The University Bookman


“A WINNER . . . IMPELS THE READER TO RETURN AND REREAD TOLKIEN WITH NEW INSIGHT.”
—Library Journal --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

As is the case with all great works of art, J. R. R. Tolkien?s masterpieces generously repay close attention and study. In this thoroughly entertaining and perceptive volume, winner of the prestigious Mythopoeic Society Scholarship Award, Professor Kocher examines the sources that Tolkien drew upon in fashioning Middle-earth and its inhabitants?and provides valuable insights into the author?s aims and methods. Ranging from The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings to The Silmarillion and beyond, Master of Middle-earth opens the door to a deeper and richer appreciation of Tolkien?s magnificent achievement. Inside you will discover

? Why Aragorn is the most misunderstood character in The Lord of the Rings . . . and its true hero.
? The origin of Sauron?and the nature of evil in Tolkien?s universe.
? The opposing forces of destiny and free will in Frodo?s quest.
? The Cosmology of Middle-earth?is it our world at an earlier time, or does it exist in a fantastic Elsewhere?
? How Tolkien?s ideas of morality, religion, and social order underlie every aspect of his life?s work.


Plus a fascinating look at such lesser-known works of Tolkien?s as ?Leaf by Niggle,? ?Smith of Wootton Major,? and many others! --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Del Rey (February 12, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345306368
• ISBN-13: 978-0345306364
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,150,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Masterful "Middle-Earth", November 25, 2004

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Master of Middle-Earth: The Fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien (Paperback)

Countless scholars and quite a few amateurs have tried to dissect the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Most do a rotten job. But Paul Kocher actually does it well -- while his essays are a bit outdated, "Master of Middle-Earth : The Fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien" still stand as some of the best interpretations of Tolkien's work.

Kocher tackles such subjects as whether Middle-Earth is really an imaginary world, or one tied closely to reality, followed by a critical look at "The Hobbit" and how it related -- or doesn't -- to "Lord of the Rings." One of the most intriguing essays in here is "Cosmic Order," a look at how Tolkien portrays free will, predestination and fate, followed by a study of how Tolkien writes Sauron and the other evil creatures of Middle-Earth, such as orcs (which Kocher thinks are trained to be evil) and barrow wights.

Kocher then does a 180 and looks at the free peoples of Middle-Earth, and the importance of each race. A careful study of Aragorn follows, tracing the uncrowned king's subtle development over the entire trilogy and studying his status as a hero. As a grand finale, Kocher examines various short works that Tolkien wrote or translated, including the lesser known creations like "Imram."

Most people who analyze "Lord of the Rings" end up like that guy in Nabokov's "Pale Fire" -- they see only what they want to see. But Paul H. Kocher, who was a professor at Stanford, does a very good job of analyzing "Lord of the Rings." Certainly nothing has been put out that disproves him.

Kocher obviously had a great deal of respect for Tolkien, even speaking with intense scorn about people who dismiss "Lord of the Rings" as "just an adventure story." But he doesn't pull his punches due to that respect -- he's about as honest as he can be when he doesn't like something, such as the cockney-speaking Trolls.

Kocher's essays are somewhat out of date, since they were written in the 1970s, long before the "Unfinished Tales" book was published, and it only dips into the "Silmarillion." But at the same time, his essays are thoughtful and in tune with Tolkien's trilogy, and stick closely to Tolkien's Christian beliefs and his mythic influences.

"Master of Middle-Earth : The Fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien" is a solid resource for people who have read "Lord of the Rings." Definitely worth reading.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outdated but essential, December 20, 2003

By 

David Bratman (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Master of Middle-Earth: The Fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien (Paperback)

The author is deceased, and the text has never been altered since its original publication in 1972, so some of its facts are outdated. But the bulk of the book remains insightful and useful: nothing published since has invalidated Kocher's discussion of the moral stances and the nature of evil shown in LotR. He also provides the best analysis ever published of the character of Aragorn, and what are still the only studies of the rare poems "The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun" and "Imram". But it would have been nice to have added a footnote saying that "Imram" is now easily available in its original context (unknown to Kocher) of The Notion Club Papers (in Sauron Defeated, p. 296-9).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful guide, August 28, 2003

By 

Bibliophile - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master of Middle-Earth: The Fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien (Paperback)

This book sets out Kocher's interpretation of Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The main weakness of this book is the scant coverage of The Silmarillion - perhaps understandable as Kocher has another book devoted to it.

Kocher had a law dgree and a PhD, both fron Stanford, where he also taught English. He may have practised law - which may account for his lawyerly analysis in this book of Aragorn as the key character of Middle Earth.

If you read only one book to help you along as you read Tolkien's books, this could be a good choice. (Another would be Robert Foster's Complete Guide to Middle Earth.)