07-14-2008, 03:35 PM
Tolkien s best works as far as I'm considered, and definitely worth a read, are "Farmer Giles of Ham," "Leaf by Niggle," and "Smith of Wooton Major." They used to be published together with several of his essays on the literary criticism of fairy tales, and if you read those, it will change how you read any of his works. I'd say the insights there are pretty profound to western culture, really, and worth some serious thinking.
The "fairy tale" is a motif unique to northern Europe, and distinct in several indigenous qualities. Valuable ones too, as far as I'm concerned. It is, by and large, a wholly lost tradition.
The "fairy tale" is a motif unique to northern Europe, and distinct in several indigenous qualities. Valuable ones too, as far as I'm concerned. It is, by and large, a wholly lost tradition.