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Imagination, Storytelling, |
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Book Review |
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Reviews of Secret Fire/The Power of the Ring “This book contains profound insights into the theology and spirituality in Tolkien's books. Caldecott gives the background of Tolkien's personality, letters, excerpts from other writings in order to provide a clear picture of what's at work in the Lord of the Rings. The chapter ‘Behind the Stars’ is among the deepest commentaries on JRRT's work as a whole. Very fine. Definitely worth owning.” (Dr Peter A. Kwasniewski) "Professor Tolkien, the academic philologist, was said to have travelled 'inside language'. Under Caldecott's guidance, here we travel inside the language of Tolkien. One sees at last what he was up to. It is a revelatory book." (Church Times) Every Catholic school will want a copy as will anyone interested in Tolkien as a serious writer." (Eric Hester, The Catholic Times) "Caldecott's familiarity with Tolkien's writings and his clear analysis provide fascinating insights that enrich The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion in ways far different from previous studies. Some interesting appendixes offer additional observations. This book will be welcomed by those interested in the deep theological underpinnings of Tolkien's works, and is recommended to academic libraries supporting upper level coursework on Tolkien or religion and literature" (Daniel Boice, Catholic Library World, September 2005). "Secret Fire elegantly unpacks the deeper meanings of the text, drawing not only on the classic works but on writings by Tolkien unpublished during his lifetime. Stratford Caldecott shows how Tolkien was one of a small group of writers who have succeeded in re-opening the world of the imagination for theological exploration." (Church House Bookshop, UK) "In this perceptive and well-reasoned book, Stratford Caldecott explores the roots of J.R.R. Tolkien's appeal 'to people of all ages and beliefs, in a broad spectrum from Christian to neo-pagan' ... Tolkien is portrayed in this book, fairly I think, as an explorer for whom the stories he carefully and diligently crafted over a long lifetime 'are notes of his expeditions in search of an older and "inner" world.'" (Colin Duriez, Theology) "Essential reading for those who would like to understand the spiritual background to Lord of the Rings." (Scientific and Medical Network) "Caldecott's work is a delight to read, with fascinating insights on nearly every page as he discusses the riches of Tolkien's work." (The Sower) "A superb book that blends academic rigour with a clear passion for the subject." (Christian Marketplace) Return to the Secret Fire page
Towards or back to Human Values: Spiritual and Moral Dimensions of Contemporary Fantasy edited by Justyna Deszcz-Tryhubczak and Marek Oziewicz CONTENTS
Part I
Fantasy and the Recovery of the Numinous
Stepping into the Gap:
Revisioning Religion and Spirituality:
Envisioning Spirituality in a New Paradigm:
Part II
Fantasy, the Moral Imagination and the Good
Marvelous and yet not Strange:
(Sub)Creation and the Written Word
You Can Make a Difference: The Message from the Other World
Part III
Nurturing Environmental Sensitivity towards Real and Fantastic Nature
Anthropomorphism and the Necessity of Animal Fantasy
Lessons of Tolerance
Part IV
Moral Values in the Dialectics of Chaos and Order:
Science and Spirituality in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials
Seeing Everything At Once: Myth, Freedom and Determinism
Beyond the Knowing: The Frontier of the Real and the Imaginary
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