From the Editor – Colin Duriez
In our last issue we focussed upon several important Tolkien artists. In this new issue we listen to what some formative scholars have to say about his writings and literary achievement. We feature Verlyn Flieger, whose views pioneered an examination of Tolkien as a maker of myth, appealing to what is universal in our human makeup. She continues to stimulate and shape thinking about Tolkien, in for example her recent study of Tolkien’s seminal essay, “On Fairy Stories” with Douglas A. Anderson. We also have interviews from two scholars representing in their various ways something of a new wave of scholarship: Michael Drout and Dimitra Fimi. Dimitra’s study of Celtic and Welsh elements in Tolkien are part of the inspiration for Festival in the Shire. A major review of her ground-breaking study, Tolkien, Race and Cultural History: From Fairies to Hobbits also appears in this issue.
This does not mean we’ve ignored the impact of Tolkien-inspired art. The Journal has interviewed Tolkien artist Stephen Walsh about his distinctive work, and much-praised director and producer of the film Born of Hope, Kate Madison, who is also among the cast. (The Times gave the film 4 stars.) Chad Chisholm also has viewed the film for us, following his review of another Tolkien “fan movie” in the last issue.
The Tolkien Professor continues his series of lucid and concise introductions to Tolkien’s writings with one on “Leaf by Niggle,” illuminating one of the most personal of his fictions. Our youngest contributor – Jodi Storer of Ironville & Codnor Park Primary School – tells us of a magical visit to the Bodleian Library and one of Tolkien’s Oxford colleges, and reveals future plans of her school’s Myth & Magic Tolkien Reading & Language Fellowship. Jodi and her fellow-pupil Abbie Taylor (who was originally going to write this article for the Journal, but was prevented by illness) are among the speakers at the conference during the Festival in the Shire.
I’m looking forward to re-reading all the pieces in this issue after our designer Paul Girling has worked his magic on the Journal.
Colin Duriez
