The Mythmakers: The ­Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien

Gr 7-10–Six years apart in age and from very different backgrounds, two Oxford literature professors, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, became boon companions in the years between the world wars. Sharing and shaping their creative work, in time, they published writing that transformed fantasy fiction. Meticulous attention is given to Lewis’s struggle with religious faith and his ultimate conversion to Anglican Christianity, a major transformation in his life, guided in part through talks with staunch Catholic Tolkien. In general, the tale takes the form of a graphic biography, framed by a discussion between a lion and a wizard, representing Lewis and Tolkien. Hendrix makes brilliant use of space, clarifying difficult concepts with insightful composition. Other sections are related through illustrated or unadorned blocks of text. The writing is occasionally clunky or stilted, but the author’s passion for the topic shines through. If there is a fault, it is in trying to include far too much, tracing the long trajectory of the men’s friendship along with lengthy digressions into Tolkien’s academic writings on fairy stories, the history of myth, and theories of scholars, such as Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, as well as sweeping over major events in 20th century history. It’s difficult to imagine many takers among its intended audience, though it will undoubtedly appeal to some reflective readers of the two authors’ works. Fairly comprehensive and extensive back matter includes source notes and a lengthy bibliography.