Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth

by Marjorie Burns and Marjorie J. Burns

Book Overview

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) is increasingly recognized as the most influential writer of the twentieth century. Sales of his books remain exceptionally high, and Middle-earth fan clubs flourish around the world. The massive success of the film versions made of The Lord of the Rings, and released between 2001 and 2003, have only added to his popularity.

Throughout his life, Tolkien was acutely aware of the power of myth in shaping society;...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802038069
• ISBN13: 9780802038067
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

HIGHLY recommended book - PERILOUS REALMS

Here's a book any serious reader of Tolkien ought to read. What Burns does better than other critics is to show how Tolkien has a double way of looking at things. Her main topic is how Tolkien combines Norse and Celtic mythology in his fiction to make a mythology for England, but Burns also show how Tolkien maintains a balance between several other beliefs or viewpoints: war and peace, high ranking people and humble Hobbits, or the attractions of home and the appeal of the road. Two chapters I particularly liked are "Iceland and Middle-earth" and "Eating, Devouring and Sacrifice." The first is an original study of how William Morris influenced Tolkien, especially in The Hobbit. The second shows how Tolkien uses the metaphor of eating throughout his fiction. I do not understand how the other reader/critic of this book could possibly construe any PERILOUS REALMS as a rehash. They must not have read the same book. I found this book to be full of new information, new connections. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

WITHOUT APOLOGY

One of the finest characteristics of Tolkien's work is that it is easily as enjoyable to think about as it is to read. And despite the completeness, volume and excruciating detail of his literature, his work in particular exhibits a singular ability to create the desire for even more among his readers. Given the depth and range of Tolkien's legendarium connections and inferences fly in all directions and the concentration required in tracking them down and relating them to the work is obviously why they call it Tolkien Scholarship. Consequently, there is almost no shortage of books, critical and scholarly works available to those interested in making the kind of connections capable of greatly expanding their appreciation and comprehension of Middle-earth, its sources, intricacies, meaning, philosophy, structure and context. And "Perilous Realms" is one of the finest. Marjorie Burns has accomplished something a bit rare for readers of Tolkien. This is a book that remains inviting and accessible without sacrificing any intellectual weight. Her focus on linking narrative sources of "The Silmarillion", "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" to Celtic and Norse mythologies does not narrow the field -- this approach proves more than adequate to the task of bringing the vastness of her subject within reach. But there remains a nagging sense of Apologia, especially in her chapter on the technique Tolkien uses to add dimension to his principal characters. Here, as with the work of Shippey and others, the reader can't help but get the sense that there's some element geared at the appeasement of mainstream literature and literary critics who so often dismiss Tolkien's work, in many cases unread. Burns' critical insights are strong enough without the seemingly obligatory nod to those literati who choose, simply on the basis of their personal preference, to remain blind and deaf to Tolkien. Such critics' denial of the worth of this work isn't based on literary criteria anyway. So it's safe to assume they'll remain unswayed, whether they become aware of the intricacy and depth of these works or not. With or without them, Tolkien's work is hardly short of either advocates or legitimacy. That said, Burns' language remains concise, her presentation remains linear even through the often less-than-linear ambles that make much of Tolkien so compelling. Her writing favors clarity over the overtly technical. And, perhaps most importantly, her insights are actually highly original, their exposition extremely convincing. This book complements and informs the content of many other works on Tolkien rather than merely burnishing already familiar ideas. Her ability to illuminate both the far-reaching and fundamental concepts within the literature makes this one of the most enjoyable and informative critical books you'll read on Tolkien's work.

Excellent book! A must read for Tolkien fans!

Much of the mythology that Tolkien created for England, in his novels, comes from the two backgrounds of Celtic and Norse. Burns' Perilous Realms, the first book of its kind, studies the ways in which the Norse and the Celtic influenced Tolkien's writings - a heck of a lot, mind you. Additionally, Burns brings together and discusses the many dualities that Tolkien shifted back and forth from throughout his novels (peace and war, pagan and Christianity, home and road, among a great many others). After reading this book, I appreciated the Lord of the Rings author all the more. And, in turn, reading this book made me really appreciate Burns as an author with her detailed, scholarly, yet friendly approach in Perilous Realms. I enthusiastically recommend this book. It's an essential read for any Tolkien fan. Fascinating and highly informative.