Tolkien and the Mystery of Literary Creation by Giuseppe Pezzini (Cambridge University Press, 2025) is the best book I’ve read on Tolkien’s approach to writing outside of the Professor’s own writing.
I was unaware of this book until Pezzini presented at the Big Read 5. Being intrigued by his presentation I wrote him an email thanking him for taking the time to share his thoughts along with a few other items and he was very kind in reply. Maybe that makes this review partial, so be it.
Tolkien’s meta-textual approach to storytelling was what initially grabbed my attention. The book explores this in great detail. It also addresses textual ruins, cloaking, the web of story, endless story, and of course sub-creation. The death and resurrection of the author wrap-up the presentation and the book concludes with a beautiful sentiment related to the Ainulindale.
It is really about the craft of writing. It explores what approaches were taken, how they were employed, and why they were so impactful.
Hardly casual reading, it was thoroughly enjoyable and to be read slow and savored.
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