Master of Middle-Earth
1972 book of literary criticism by Paul H. Kocher / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Master of Middle-earth: The Fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, alternatively subtitled The Achievement of J.R.R. Tolkien, is a 1972 book of literary criticism of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy writings, written by Paul H. Kocher, and one of the few to be published in Tolkien's lifetime. It focuses especially on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and also covers some of his minor works such as "Leaf by Niggle" and "Smith of Wootton Major".
![]() First paperback edition. The cover image shows Tolkien with a favourite tree.[1] | |
Author | Paul H. Kocher |
---|---|
Language | English |
Subject | J. R. R. Tolkien |
Genre | Tolkien studies |
Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
Publication date | 1972 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Hardcover (paperback, 1973) |
Pages | 247 |
ISBN | 978-0-395-14097-0 |
At a time when scholars were largely critical of Tolkien and his prose style, it both praised his writing and, in the absence of either The Silmarillion or Christopher Tolkien's The History of Middle-earth on the process of creation of Tolkien's fiction, it correctly inferred many of his major themes. It was one of the earliest book-length analyses of Tolkien's work, winning Kocher the 1973 Mythopoeic Society's Scholarship in Inkling Studies Award.