Tolkien and Wales
| Tolkien and Wales: Language, Literature and Identity | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Author | Carl Phelpstead |
| Publisher | University of Wales Press |
| Released | 30 April 2011 |
| Format | Hardcover/Paperback |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | 978-0708323915 |
Tolkien and Wales: Language, Literature and Identity is a 2011 scholarly book which discusses the influence of Wales and Welsh on the work and life of J.R.R. Tolkien. The author states that:
"This is the first book-length study of Tolkien's debts to Welsh language and literature. It traces those influences in Tolkien's scholarly and creative work, paying particular attention to some relatively neglected texts. The book draws on unpublished manuscripts and on Tolkien's own collection of Welsh books in order to evaluate the influence of Wales and Welsh on Tolkien's writings and on his sense of national identity."[1]
From the publisher[edit]
Tolkien once wrote: 'I love Wales - and especially the Welsh language'. This book explores how that love influenced Tolkien's ideas about language, many aspects of his creative writing, and his sense of an English identity. It describes more fully than before the extent and depth of Tolkien's debt to Welsh language and literature, and argues that Tolkien's love of Wales and Welsh is inseparable from his love of, and sense of belonging to, England. The book gives detailed attention to both Tolkien's fiction and his scholarly writings, including some relatively neglected texts. Wales and Welsh were seminal influences on the writings of the twentieth century's most popular writer and this book reveals the range and depth of these influences.
Unpublished manuscripts[edit]
Phelpstead draws upon the following unpublished manuscripts held at the Bodleian Library (quotes from the manuscripts are marked in bold):[2]
- MS Tolkien 7-8 [papers relating to 'English and Welsh'] (cf. p. 125 (note 38))
- MS Tolkien A18/1 [including partial text and translation of Pwyll, with notes] (cf. pp. 9, 11, 60-1, 139 (note 33))
- MS Tolkien A19/3 [including notes on etymology of Lydney; draft of 'Celts and Teutons'] (for 'Lydney', cf. pp. 56, 137 (note 13); for 'Celts and Teutons', cf. pp. 15, 127 (notes 64, 76))
- MS Tolkien drawings 85
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
- Tolkien and Wales at the website of Phelpstead
- Review by Christina Scull
- BBC News article on the launch of Tolkien and Wales
References
- ↑ Tolkien and Wales at Carlphelpstead.info (accessed 11 June 2011)
- ↑ "Bibliography", p. 165
