book of the century

[Doug Millison]

Interesting echo of Pynchon worth discussing, perhaps...


"We have come from God (continued Tolkien), and inevitably the myths woven
by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of
the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Indeed only by
myth-making, only by becoming a "sub-creator" and inventing stories, can Man
aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths
may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbor,
while materialistic "progress" leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron
Crown of the power of evil."

--Tolkein to C.S. Lewis, quoted in The book of the century By Andrew O'Hehir
Although its popularity is unparalleled, intellectuals dismiss "The Lord of
the Rings" as boyish fantasy. Now one scholar defends J.R.R. Tolkien's "true
myth" as a modern masterpiece. First of two parts.
http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2001/06/04/tolkien/index.html