Defending Middle-Earth: Tolkien, Myth and Modernity

The work of J.R.R Tolkien has sold nearly 100 million copies worldwide and continues to enthrall new generations of readers. Yet it has also been widely labeled as reactionary and escapist by hostile critics. Patrick Curry’s book shows just how mistaken they are. He reveals Tolkien’s profound and subtle advocacy of community, ecology, and spiritual values against the destructive forces of runaway modernity, Tolkien’s remedy, and the project implicit in his literary mythology, is a re-enchantment of the world. In helping us to realize that living nature, including humanity, is sacred, his writings draw on ancient magical mythology, but at the same time resonate closely with the ideas of contemporary radical ecology. Curry argues that Tolkien addresses hard global realities and widely justified fears. In this way, his story has transcended its English roots to achieve universal relevance, and his imaginary world gives people everywhere hope for this one.