The world's top fantasy authors such as, Ursula Le Guin, Raymond E. Feist, Robin Hobb and many more, share their thoughts on the greatest mythmaker of all time. In 1954 one of the most seminal books in English literature was published and caused barely a ripple. It wasn't until the 'flower-power' generation of the 1960's did Lord of the Rings begin to exert its real influence and changed the face of fantasy literature forever. Here for the first time sixteen of the most revered names in contemporary fantasy writing share with readers their personal relationships with Tolkien's mythical world. A world and mythology that now pervades every aspect of not only modern fantasy writing but also role-playing computer games and Hollywood films. Without Middle-earth there would have been no Earthsea books by Ursula Le Guin; no Song of Ice and Fire Saga by George R. R. Martin; no Tales of Discworld from Terry Pratchett and no Riftworld stories from Raymond E. Feist. Each of these writers were influenced by the master mythmaker and now they reveal the nature of that influence and their relationship with the greatest fantasy novels ever written.
This collection of essays has two types of reflections on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy: actual talk about its effect on sci fi and fantasy as genres and its impact on the publishing industry - and the authors swooning over the first time they read the trilogy. Obviously, the latter is less interesting.
Of course, like most compilations, it is a grab bag of excellent and so-so writings, though Orson Scott Card proves yet to be an ass. it reflects quite clearly through his piece, which seems to talk more about defending his own homophobia/racist/intolerances than anything about J. R. R. Tolkien or his writings.
But as a writer and as someone with an interest in both Lord of the Rings and the publishing industry, this was a very interesting read.
