Verlyn Flieger - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

04-03-2007, 04:52 PM

Has anyone here read any of her books on Tolkien?

'Splintered Light' not only changed the way I think about Tolkien's work but the way I think about all mythology and philosophy...Amazing book.

She also whote 'A Question of Time:J.R.R. Tolkien's Road to Fearie' ( a little harder to get through) , 'Interrupted Music and the introduction to the new edition of 'Smith of Wooton Major'. She has an amazing instght into her subject

davem · 04-04-2007, 12:21 AM

Love her work. I've read A Question of Time, Splintered Light & Interrupted Music a couple of times. She's incredibly insightful, & the recent edition of Smith, which she edited, is amazing.

Lal & I, along with Esty, heard her speak at Tolkien 2005 in Birmingham.

narfforc · 04-04-2007, 01:36 AM

I second everything Davem said, though I didn't hear her speak I was drinking the pub dry.

04-04-2007, 03:43 AM

I havn't read 'Interrupted music' yet, it's next on my list.How does it compare to the other two?

I'd love to hear her speak , youre so lucky! I wish filmakers would talk to her when they make documentaries of Tolkien, some of them get it so wrong! ;-)

Estelyn Telcontar · 04-04-2007, 05:42 AM

I have the highest respect for Verlyn Flieger; her talks at Tolkien 2005 were excellent, and her way of handling questions (even stupid or off-topic!) was very kind and gracious. I was also able to have her sign two of her three books; they're excellent, though I haven't managed to read them from beginning to end yet. I usually dip in to whatever interests me at the moment.

davem · 04-04-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyMidnight

I havn't read 'Interrupted music' yet, it's next on my list.How does it compare to the other two?

I'd love to hear her speak , youre so lucky! I wish filmakers would talk to her when they make documentaries of Tolkien, some of them get it so wrong! ;-)

She did take part in the documentary JRRT A Film Portrait of JRR Tolkien (along with Tom Shippey & Christopher Tolkien himself. Unfortunately it was only put out on video & hasn't been available to buy for about 10 years.

davem · 04-05-2007, 01:49 AM

Nice piece on Professor F here
\http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...-2325215.shtml

I like her comment:

Quote:

"Lord of the Rings is not my favorite book, this is part of my DNA," she said. "I've been so close to the book for so long. The word 'favorite' isn't even in the ballpark."

04-03-2007, 04:52 PM	#1
LadyMidnight Guest Posts: n/a	Verlyn Flieger Has anyone here read any of her books on Tolkien? 'Splintered Light' not only changed the way I think about Tolkien's work but the way I think about all mythology and philosophy...Amazing book. She also whote 'A Question of Time:J.R.R. Tolkien's Road to Fearie' ( a little harder to get through) , 'Interrupted Music and the introduction to the new edition of 'Smith of Wooton Major'. She has an amazing instght into her subject

04-04-2007, 12:21 AM	#2
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Love her work. I've read A Question of Time, Splintered Light & Interrupted Music a couple of times. She's incredibly insightful, & the recent edition of Smith, which she edited, is amazing. Lal & I, along with Esty, heard her speak at Tolkien 2005 in Birmingham. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

04-04-2007, 01:36 AM	#3
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	I second everything Davem said, though I didn't hear her speak I was drinking the pub dry. __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

04-04-2007, 05:42 AM	#5
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I have the highest respect for Verlyn Flieger; her talks at Tolkien 2005 were excellent, and her way of handling questions (even stupid or off-topic!) was very kind and gracious. I was also able to have her sign two of her three books; they're excellent, though I haven't managed to read them from beginning to end yet. I usually dip in to whatever interests me at the moment. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

04-04-2007, 03:43 AM	#4
LadyMidnight Guest Posts: n/a	I havn't read 'Interrupted music' yet, it's next on my list.How does it compare to the other two? I'd love to hear her speak , youre so lucky! I wish filmakers would talk to her when they make documentaries of Tolkien, some of them get it so wrong! ;-)