J. R. R. Tolkien is one of the most popular authors of modern times, and arguably the most popular author of fiction in the twentieth century. The question is, what lead to this? What were the factors that combined to form the basis of his epic? And finally, what was the meaning behind his tale?
In his book, *Christian Encounters: J. R. R. Tolkien*, author and pastor Mark Horne attempts to grapple with these questions. Up front, I have to preface this by saying that I greatly enjoyed one facet of the book that *may* cause some Tolkien fans to dismiss it. Mainly, the fact that Horne was actually willing to write about the negative aspects of Tolkien. As well, he was willing to write about the areas of Tolkien's political beliefs that most authors treat as quaint and narrow-minded. While not necessarily agreeing with these beliefs of Tolkien's, he still treats them respectfully, and makes an effort to fairly explain why Tolkien believed what he did believe.
Tolkien's childhood was filled with tragedy. He spent his first few years as a child in a relatively prosperous houselhold in South Africa. The crucial factor to consider is that it was "relatively" prosperous. When Tolkien and his brothers accompanied his mother to England, their father stayed behind to finish up some business matters before joining them. Unfortunately, the elder Tolkien fell sick, and later died in South Africa. After this point, the family was dependant upon the extended relations for help.
The sad part was that this help dried up when Tolkien's mother converted from the Anglican to the Roman Catholic Church. The family was denied any further financial assistance. Indeed, they were scorned, and when Tolkien's mother died a few years later, he viewed her as having been a martyr. She had worked herself to death, in his view, and likely in reality, in order to provide the children with a genuine Catholic education and upbringing. This view of Tolkien's about his mother's sacrifice would impact him later on.
This impact came with the situation of his wife to be, Edith. He insisted that she convert to the Catholic Church, and she agreed, but she also suffered for this choice. Though her family did not disown her, she still had a difficult time of it. She had no friends in the Church, and she had no friends in Tolkien's academic life. She was the faithful fiance, and later wife, of J. R. R. Tolkien, and didn't have as much of a social life as she should have had. This lead to some sadness on her part, and Tolkien certainly noticed it. Many folks have theorized, based on letters and statements by Tolkien, that the Beren and Luthien story was based upon her life, and sacrifice in marrying into Tolkien's Church. *That* was the source of Tolkien's inscription of Beren and Luthien on his and Edith's tombstone.
The other most significant aspect of Tolkien's early life was the advents of the two World Wars and the political changes wrought by them. while insisting that many of the ideas in the Middle-Earth Legendarium were from his imagination, he also admitted that they were influenced by his war experiences in the first World War, or the "Great War", as Tolkien always called it til his dying day. Moreover, his views on monarchy and government in general, the use of machines without morality to twist violate nature and commit evil, were influenced by rapid, and in Tolkien's view, inhumane, industrialization, as well as warfare.
The above is just a few of the insights that Horne gives his readers. While it is clear that he admires Tolkien, he is also able to criticize him, and to point to Tolkien's blame in the rift with C. S. Lewis. This really impressed me as i really humanized Tolkien and took away the cloak of hero-worship. This gave me the honest view of the man whom I truly admire, and am looking forward to seeing, in Heaven someday. Great book.
Highly Recommended.
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I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I am obligated to read it and give a review to the best of my ability. Thomas Nelson emphasizes their desire for honest reviews, whether positive or negative, in order to help them create a better product. The opinions above are my honest viewpoint. I want to thank Thomas Nelson for allowing me to review this book, and thank you all for reading this. (less)
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