War of the Fantasy Worlds: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien on Art and Imagination

This investigation focuses on C.S. Lewis's and J.R.R. Tolkien's contrasting views of art and imagination, which are key to understanding and interpreting their fantasy works, providing insight into their goals, themes, and techniques, as well as an appreciation of the value and impact of their mythologies.

Most scholarship about J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis describes their shared faith and academic interests or analyzes each writer's fantasy works. War of the Fantasy Worlds: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien on Art and Imagination is the first to focus solely on their contrasting concepts of fantasy. The authors' views of art and imagination, the book shows, are not only central to understanding the themes, value, and relevance of their fantasy fiction, but are also strikingly different.

Understanding the authors' thoughts about fantasy helps us better understand and appreciate their works. Yet, this book is not a critical analysis of The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia. Rather, it examines only elements of Tolkien's and Lewis's books that relate to their views about art, fantasy, and creativity, or the implementation of their theories. The result is a unique and altogether fascinating perspective on two of the most revered fantasy authors of all time.

Author: Martha Sammons
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 12/01/2009
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.20w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780313362828

Review Citation(s):
Choice 08/01/2010
Reference and Research Bk News 05/01/2010 pg. 270

About the Author

Martha C. Sammons, PhD, is professor of English at Wright State University, Dayton, OH, where she has taught since 1975.