JRR Tolkien: the Making of a Legend by Colin Duriez is a biography whose focus tends to be drawn to the relationships Tolkien maintained and their meaning in his life. It may be that having read a lot about Tolkien the more standard biographical information passed me by and his interpretations of the relationships stood out to me, because I do not have as much background in that area.
Of course, I was aware of the TCBS, the Inklings, and the various other groups and organizations that Tolkien participated in beginning in his undergraduate days that served him throughout his life, but Duriez did a very good job of digging into them.
This makes sense considering his other works include: Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship, The Inklings Handbook, and several others featuring both Tolkien and Lewis individually and together.
I did listen to the audiobook and did not tangibly handle the work, which makes me somewhat cringe saying I read it, but I absorbed the content as I walked in nature and I’m sure the Professor would appreciate that aspect.
For a fan of Tolkien who is interested in having the groundwork of his relationships, particularly those of the TCBS and Lewis laid out for them before reading more in depth, I found this to be a very good place to start. It went beyond much of what I’d read related to the relationships and opens the door to Duriez’s other works, while extending one’s understanding of how Tolkien’s writing and thinking was shaped through fellowship.
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