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John Garth to speak in Houston, February 6, 2004

January 21, 2004 at 01:36:43

John Garth, author of Tolkien and the Great War: The Threshold of Middle-earth, will speak at Rice University in Houston, TX on February 6.

Dr. Jane Chance, renowned Tolkien scholar and professor of English-MS 30 at Rice University, cordially invites all fans of J.R.R. Tolkien to attend a free public lecture by John Garth, author of Tolkien and the Great War: The Threshold of Middle-earth.

John Garth will deliver a lecture on "Tolkien and the Great War" at Rice on Feb. 6 (Fri) at 7 p.m. in 100 Keck Hall. Keck is the building in which Valhalla, the graduate student pub, is contained. Entrance is on the right side of the building.

Description: The First World War inaugurated Middle-earth and shaped its themes. One key example is the "bestial horror" of the trenches that reverberates in the images of fear in The Lord of the Rings and other works. By a mixture of myth and naturalism, Tolkien provides an alternative literary response to the war, opposing the irony and disenchantment to which other soldier-writers surrendered.

Borders will be selling books there from 6-7 and John will sign books afterward. (That weekend Borders is offering 20% off to students and seniors.)

Visitor parking (with credit card, but $1 an hour) is available at the entrances from the north and from Main St. at the main entrance in the visitor lots.