The Lord Of The Rings: A Reader's Companion

In The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, internationally acclaimed scholars Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull examine Tolkien's masterpiece chapter by chapter, offering expert insights into its evolution, structure, and meaning. The scholars frequently draw upon comments made by Tolkien himself, found in letters to family, friends, and enthusiasts, in draft texts of The Lord of the Rings, and in works written in later years, which amplify or illuminate characters and events in the story. Extensive reference is also made to writings by Tolkien not previously or widely published, including elaborate time-schemes, an unfinished manuscript index to The Lord of the Rings, and most notably, the important Nomenclature or guide to names in The Lord of the Rings prepared for the use of translators, long out of print and now newly transcribed and printed in its entirety.

The authors discuss in close detail important literary and historical influences on the development of The Lord of the Rings, connections between that work and other writings by Tolkien, errors and inconsistencies, and significant changes to the text during its fifty years of publication. They also explore the arcaic and unusual words used by Tolkien, as well as words and passages in his invented languages of Middle-earth. Thousands of notes, keyed to standard editions of The Lord of the Rings but universally accessible, reveal the richness and complexity of one of the most popular works of fiction in our time.

With these resources at hand, even the most seasoned reader of The Lord of the Rings will come to a greater enjoyment and appreciation of Tolkien's magnificent achievement. The depth of analysis and attention to detail provided by Hammond and Scull in this companion volume enables readers to gain new insights and a deeper understanding of the beloved fantasy epic.

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