A Tolkien Compass — Jared Lobdell

This guide to travels in Middle-Earth includes an original chapter by Tolkien himself, explaining the meaning and origin of the names in Lord of the Rings. Can hobbits be psychoanalyzed? Does Tolkienââ,¬â"¢s Christianity shine through his imitations of pagan legends? Do his books offer a useful guide to everyday life? These and many more questions are addressed in the eleven chapters of this book. Contributors analyze Gollumââ,¬â"¢s character transformation, the psychological journey of Bilbo, the regime set up by Saruman at the end of Lord of the Rings and its parallels to fascism, the booksââ,¬â"¢ narrative technique, and Tolkienââ,¬â"¢s rich use of myth and symbol. This is an insightful book that will appeal to both old and new Tolkien fans.