RECENSIONI
Edward L. Risden su Journal of Inkling Studies
I believe the editors accomplished what they set out to do: both graduate and undergraduate students will find the topics and bibliographic resources helpful; moreover, the volume, apt for stimulating student research linking Tolkien with their own favourite authors, should make a valuable acquisition for academic libraries. […] While the essays vary in quality (as they will in almost any collection), each provides interesting comparisons that may encourage further exploration of the matrix of Tolkien’s literary influences and foster a better understanding of literary resonance. The references span a broad range of Tolkien’s work, from the most popular to the most esoteric, and they support the idea of Tolkien as a ‘classic’ by displaying what he shares with many other classic authors, old and new.
Willow di Pasquale su Mythlore
Tolkien and the Classics offers a refreshing assortment of perspectives on Tolkien’s works, connecting his writings to various canonical authors from the past. In doing so, the writers in this volume include both instantly recognizable Tolkien scholars (Tom Shippey and Amelia A. Rutledge, for example) and new contributors from such varied backgrounds as musicology, computer science, philosophy, and cultural management. This combination of lay and expert criticism furthers the pleasure provided by this collection—readers will find the variety of subjects and foci both accessible and stimulating. For the scholar, the student, and the enthusiast, Tolkien and the Classics is an enriching read. […] Accessible, enlightening, and entertaining, these essays add valuable voices to the current Tolkien studies discourse, highlighting the impressive range of scholarship being conducted and, one would hope, sparking curiosity in readers for scholarship yet to be explored. It is an invitation to return, to re-read the “greats,” and to see what new and exciting connections to Tolkien and his writings yet exist. In my estimation, this collection accomplishes what engaging scholarship should: it leaves one wanting more, in the best sense.
Luke Shelton su Journal of Tolkien Research
Tolkien and the Classics would be a useful text to have when teaching a course on Tolkien that focuses on either textual criticism or cultural history. It helps to expound upon the influence of other writers on Tolkien and the ideas that were circulating among writers who were Tolkien’s contemporaries. It is approachable for a wide audience and the research presented is credible. It would also be a helpful tool for novice scholars who would like a reference which provides quick overviews of Tolkien’s relationship with other notable authors; however, these novices should treat the text as a starting point to guide them to deeper research, not as a final word on the subject.
Tom Hewitt su Mallorn
I curatori affermano che gli scopi di questa raccolta sono supportare la consapevolezza dell’importanza di un’interpretazione accademica dell’opera di Tolkien e offrire uno studio che possa essere utilizzato e apprezzato dagli studenti e dai docenti. Infatti, l’AIST osserva come gli scritti e gli studi accademici su Tolkien stiano diventando più diffusi a livello universitario e delle scuole di secondo grado. Considerando i suoi scopi, questo volume potrebbe essere uno strumento molto efficace: i saggi sono scritti in uno stile completamente accessibile e tuttavia non banalizzano il contenuto.
Complessivamente, il vantaggio e lo svantaggio di questi saggi sono nella loro brevità. La magia di questo volume può essere proprio quella di poter fruire ogni saggio in una breve sessione di lettura. Poiché lo scopo ricercato è aiutare gli insegnanti nel presentare Tolkien in un contesto legittimo, questi saggi sono un luogo perfetto per iniziare e per suscitare la domanda: “E poi?”.
Ciò nonostante, non direi che la quantità di materiale sia un difetto per questi saggi: è piuttosto più simile a un’occhiata veloce nello specchio di Galadriel. Ogni argomento consente di tornare a un testo, o di scoprirlo per la prima volta, attraverso le lenti degli studi tolkieniani.