Mythopoeic Press
Books by and about writers of mythopoeic and fantastic literature
Books by and about writers of mythopoeic and fantastic literature
Gifted Amateurs and Other Essays:
On Tolkien, the Inklings, and Fantasy Literature
by David BratmanISBN: 978-1-887726-26-9
Published: Altadena CA, 2023
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For more than four decades, David Bratman has established himself as a leading authority on J.R.R. Tolkien, the Inklings, and the enchanting realms of fantasy literature. Bratman’s scholarly articles, captivating Mythopoeic Conference presentations, and esteemed editorial work for the newsletter Mythprint and the journal Tolkien Studies: An Annual Scholarly Review have solidified his expertise. Now, in celebration of his profound contributions and recent distinction as the Scholar Guest of Honor at Mythcon 52, the Mythopoeic Press proudly presents Gifted Amateurs and Other Essays, an extraordinary collection of some of Bratman’s most insightful, engaging, and intellectually stimulating works.
Within these pages, discover the untold stories behind the “Top Ten Rejected Plot Twists from The Lord of the Rings,” unravel the religious themes woven throughout Middle-earth, and delve into the surprising origins of hobbit names. Guided by Bratman’s unwavering curiosity and scholarly passion, explore the fascinating history of the Inklings and how they connect to the boundless expanse of the Pacific Ocean, unearth the dramatic works of Lord Dunsany and the overlooked masterpiece of Mervyn Peake, and revel in the mythopoeic genius of Roger Zelazny. Seamlessly blending scholarship and entertainment, Gifted Amateurs and Other Essays invites readers on a journey that illuminates the true essence and enduring power of mythopoeic storytelling.
David Bratman has been writing Tolkien scholarship for nearly 50 years. He’s been co-editor of Tolkien Studies: An Annual Scholarly Review since 2013 and has edited its annual “Year’s Work in Tolkien Studies” since 2004. In addition to contributing to Tolkien scholarship, Bratman has published works on Charles Williams, C.S. Lewis, Ursula Le Guin, Mervyn Peake, Neil Gaiman, and others. Now a retired academic librarian, Bratman also was editor of the Mythopoeic Society’s members’ bulletin Mythprint for 15 years and worked on many Mythopoeic Conferences, including serving twice as chair.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Introduction
PART 1: TOLKIEN
Remarks on Part 1: Tolkien
1. J.R.R. Tolkien: An Introduction to His Work
2. The Literary Value of The History of Middle-earth
3. Top Ten Rejected Plot Twists from The Lord of the Rings: A Textual Excursion into “The History of The Lord of the Rings”
4. The Artistry of Omissions and Revisions in The Lord of the Rings
5. Hobbit Names Aren’t from Kentucky
6. Smith of Wootton Major and Genre Fantasy
PART 2: INKLINGS
Remarks on Part 2: Inklings
7. “Gifted Amateurs”: C.S. Lewis and the Inklings
8. The Inklings and the Pacific Ocean
9. C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy: An Informal View
10. Unmasquing Charles Williams
PART 3: OTHERS
Remarks on Part 3: Others
11. Imaginary Worlds, Sliced and Preserved
12. How Do You Solve a Problem Like King Arthur?
13. The Plays of Lord Dunsany
14. Mervyn Peake, the Gormenghast Diptych, and Titus Alone
15. The Geography of Earthsea
16. Roger Zelazny, Mythopoeic in the High Desert
17. A Game of You—Yes, You
PART 4: SQUIGGLES
Remarks on Part 4: Squiggles
18. The Fellowship of the Ring: A Review, 1954
19. The Condensed Silmarillion
20. The Case Against Peter Jackson
21. Yes, There Is Religion in Middle-earth
22. Paul Edwin Zimmer, Swordsman and Poet
23. The Making of a Tolkien Fan: A Personal Reminiscence
Index
Dedication
Introduction
PART 1: TOLKIEN
PART 2: INKLINGS
PART 3: OTHERS
PART 4: SQUIGGLES
Index
Gifted Amateurs and Other Essays:On Tolkien, the Inklings, and Fantasy Literature
by David Bratman
Published in July 2023; available both in print and electronic formats
Buy in trade paperback format: $19.95
Buy in Kindle format from Amazon: $9.99
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