Book Review Summary: J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator

Introduction

J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned author of THE HOBBIT, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and THE SILMARILLION, was not only a master storyteller but also a talented artist in pictures. In the book "J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator," Wayne G. Hammond delves into the artistic side of Tolkien, exploring his illustrations, paintings, calligraphy, and contributions to the typography and design of his books. This article provides a comprehensive review of the book, highlighting its key points and analyzing readers' opinions.

About Wayne G. Hammond

Wayne G. Hammond, the author of "J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator," is an accomplished scholar and librarian. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Hammond received his Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors from Baldwin-Wallace College and his Master of Arts in Library Science degree from the University of Michigan. He has been Assistant Librarian at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and has published numerous works on J.R.R. Tolkien, including a descriptive bibliography and Arthur Ransome: A Bibliography. Hammond's expertise in Tolkien's works and his passion for exploring the lesser-known aspects of his character make him an ideal author for this book.

Analysis of Views

1. Tolkien's Artistic Talent: Readers were pleasantly surprised by Tolkien's artistic talent, which he often downplayed in his writings. They appreciated seeing his own interpretations of his written works and found it fascinating to see how he visualized Middle-earth and its characters.
2. A Unique Perspective: The book provided readers with a unique perspective on Tolkien's creative process, showcasing his sketches, preliminary work, and contributions to the design of his books. This allowed them to appreciate the interconnectedness between his writing and art, which they found enlightening.
3. Scholarly Approach: The book was well-organized and scholarly, offering readers a comprehensive look at Tolkien's artistic style, influences, techniques, and areas of focus. The authors provided insightful analysis and factual information that deepened readers' understanding of Tolkien's works.
4. Insight into Tolkien's Mind: The inclusion of childhood and YA sketches allowed readers to gain insight into Tolkien's mind and see how his imagination evolved over time. They found this aspect particularly engaging and appreciated the opportunity to see the creative process behind Middle-earth's legendary tales.
5. Artistic Collaboration: Readers appreciated how Tolkien's art served as a collaborative function in creating Middle-earth and its accompanying mythos. They observed how each drawing contributed to the larger creation of Middle-earth and how it helped establish Tolkien's aesthetic vision.

Reasons for Recommendation

1. In-Depth Exploration: The book provides an in-depth exploration of Tolkien's artistic side, offering readers a chance to discover a lesser-known aspect of his character. It delves into his illustrations for his books, his love of decoration, and his contributions to typography and design, making it a valuable resource for fans of Tolkien's works.
2. Scholarly Approach: With its well-organized structure, scholarly analysis, and factual information, the book offers readers a comprehensive understanding of Tolkien's artistic style and techniques. It provides a wealth of knowledge for those interested in exploring the creative process behind Middle-earth's legendary tales.
3. Engaging Visuals: The book is filled with beautiful illustrations, paintings, sketches, patterns, and doodles that complement the text and enhance the reading experience. The inclusion of unfinished pieces and drafts allows readers to appreciate Tolkien's creative process and see how he evolved as an artist over time.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

1. Limited Focus: Some readers felt that the book focused too much on Tolkien's illustrations for his books and did not delve deeply enough into his other artistic endeavors or personal life. They would have liked to see more exploration of his watercolor artwork or other unpublished works outside of Middle-earth.
2. Lack of New Information: A few readers felt that the book did not offer any groundbreaking new information or insights into Tolkien's life or works beyond what was already known to fans of his writings. They felt that it mainly served as a compilation of existing knowledge rather than providing fresh perspectives or revelations.

Conclusion

"J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator" by Wayne G. Hammond is a must-read for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, offering a comprehensive exploration of the author's artistic side beyond his literary accomplishments. The book provides readers with a unique perspective on Tolkien's creative process and showcases his talent as an artist in pictures as well as words. With its well-organized structure, scholarly analysis, engaging visuals, and insights into Tolkien's mind, this book is highly recommended for anyone interested in delving deeper into the world of Middle-earth and its legendary tales.