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Sauron the White · 06-12-2007, 01:40 PM

Lalwende

Humphrey Carpenter is not beyond making a mistake. Anyone can of course.
I do attach some extra importance to the fact that the Carpernter biography of JRRT is labeled as THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY. Its right there in big capital letters at the very top of the book dust jacket TOLKIEN. So this book - and it contents, its statements, its claims, it reporting of the 'facts' were authorized by whom?

Allow me to wildly speculate - The Tolkien Estate.

Was the manuscript not read? Were the facts not checked, double-and triple checked? Was Carpenter allowed to pass off lies and mistruths as part of the Tolkien biography with the blessing of the Estate?

The subject of mythology for England is discussed in Part III 1917-1925 : The making of a mythology. On page 89 of the chapter Lost Tales, it clearly states that Tolkien wrote his stories in part out of "... his desire to create a mythology for England." (the italics are those of Carpenter)

If this statement is in error as you claim, has it been officially corrected by the same people who authorized its printing in the first place?

06-12-2007, 01:40 PM	#155
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	Lalwende Humphrey Carpenter is not beyond making a mistake. Anyone can of course. I do attach some extra importance to the fact that the Carpernter biography of JRRT is labeled as THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY. Its right there in big capital letters at the very top of the book dust jacket TOLKIEN. So this book - and it contents, its statements, its claims, it reporting of the 'facts' were authorized by whom? Allow me to wildly speculate - The Tolkien Estate. Was the manuscript not read? Were the facts not checked, double-and triple checked? Was Carpenter allowed to pass off lies and mistruths as part of the Tolkien biography with the blessing of the Estate? The subject of mythology for England is discussed in Part III 1917-1925 : The making of a mythology. On page 89 of the chapter Lost Tales, it clearly states that Tolkien wrote his stories in part out of "... his desire to create a mythology for England." (the italics are those of Carpenter) If this statement is in error as you claim, has it been officially corrected by the same people who authorized its printing in the first place?