A Tolkien Bestiary by David Day - Goodreads
A Tolkien Bestiary by David Day: A Review
If you are a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, you might have wondered about the rich and diverse creatures that inhabit his fictional world of Middle-earth and the Undying Lands. From dragons and ents to orcs and hobbits, Tolkien's imagination created a vast and varied bestiary that reflects his deep knowledge of mythology, folklore, and linguistics. In this article, we will review one of the most comprehensive and authoritative books on this topic: A Tolkien Bestiary by David Day. We will also show you how you can download a PDF copy of this book for your convenience.
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What is a Tolkien Bestiary?
A bestiary is a type of medieval book that contains descriptions and illustrations of various animals, both real and mythical, along with moral lessons and allegorical meanings. The word bestiary comes from the Latin bestiarium, which means "a collection of beasts". Bestiaries were popular in Europe from the 12th to the 15th centuries, and they influenced many writers and artists, including Tolkien.
The concept and origin of a bestiary
Tolkien was fascinated by bestiaries since his childhood, when he read books like The Book of Beasts by T.H. White and The Animal-Lore of Shakespeare's Time by Emma Phipson. He also studied ancient and medieval texts that contained bestiaries, such as The Physiologus, The Etymologies by Isidore of Seville, and The History of Animals by Aristotle. He incorporated many elements from these sources into his own stories, creating his own unique mythology and cosmology.
The scope and content of A Tolkien Bestiary
A Tolkien Bestiary is a book written by David Day, first published in 1979. It presents illustrated definitions in alphabetical order of all the imaginary beasts, monsters, races, nations, deities, and flora of the worlds of Middle-earth and the Undying Lands. It also includes a map and a chronology of all the ages. The book covers more than 200 entries, ranging from well-known characters like Gandalf and Gollum to obscure creatures like the Nameless Things and the Watcher in the Water. Each entry provides information on the origin, history, characteristics, symbolism, and role of the entity in Tolkien's works.
Who is David Day?
David Day is a Canadian author, poet, and illustrator who has written more than 40 books on various topics, including ecology, history, fantasy, and children's literature. He is best known for his books on Tolkien's works, which have been translated into more than 20 languages and sold over four million copies worldwide.
His background and career as a writer
David Day was born in 1947 in Victoria, British Columbia. He studied English literature at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia. He began his writing career as a poet, publishing his first collection, Many Voices, in 1972. He also worked as a journalist, editor, and teacher. He moved to London, England, in 1977, where he started writing books on Tolkien's works, such as A Tolkien Bestiary, The Hobbit Companion, and The World of Tolkien. He has also written biographies of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Alexander Graham Bell.
His passion and expertise on Tolkien's works
David Day has been a fan of Tolkien's works since he was a teenager, when he read The Lord of the Rings for the first time. He was captivated by the richness and complexity of Tolkien's world, and he decided to dedicate his life to studying and sharing it with others. He has spent decades researching and analyzing Tolkien's sources, influences, themes, and languages. He has also created original illustrations and maps for his books, based on Tolkien's descriptions and drawings. He is widely regarded as one of the leading experts on Tolkien's works, and he has received praise from critics, scholars, and fans alike.
Why should you read A Tolkien Bestiary?
If you are interested in learning more about the creatures and characters that populate Tolkien's world, you should definitely read A Tolkien Bestiary. Here are some of the benefits and features of this book:
The benefits of exploring Tolkien's mythology and worldbuilding
You will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Tolkien's works, as you will discover the connections and meanings behind his creations.
You will enrich your imagination and creativity, as you will encounter a variety of fantastic beings that will inspire you.
You will enhance your knowledge and curiosity, as you will learn about the myths, legends, cultures, and languages that influenced Tolkien.
You will enjoy a fun and entertaining reading experience, as you will immerse yourself in a magical and adventurous world.
The features and highlights of A Tolkien Bestiary
You will find detailed and accurate information on each entry, based on extensive research and analysis.
You will see beautiful and original illustrations by David Day and other artists, such as Lidia Postma, Ian Miller, Allan Curless, Michael Foreman, John Blanche, Pauline Baynes, Roger Garland, Ted Nasmith, John Howe, Alan Lee, and Peter Pracownik.
You will access a comprehensive and easy-to-use reference tool, thanks to the alphabetical order, the indexes, the map, and the chronology.
You will discover rare and obscure entries that are not found in other books or online sources.
How can you download A Tolkien Bestiary PDF?
If you want to download a PDF copy of A Tolkien Bestiary, you should be aware of some legal and ethical issues. You should also know where to find reliable and safe sources for downloading it.
The legal and ethical issues of downloading a PDF copy
A Tolkien Bestiary is a copyrighted work that belongs to David Day and his publishers. Downloading a PDF copy without their permission or paying for it is illegal and unethical. You could face legal consequences or harm the author's reputation and income. You could also violate Tolkien's estate's rights and wishes. Therefore, you should respect the author's work and support him by buying a physical or digital copy of his book from authorized sellers.
The available sources and platforms for downloading a PDF copy
If you still want to download a PDF copy of A Tolkien Bestiary, you should be careful about the sources and platforms you use. Some websites or apps might offer free or cheap downloads, but they could also contain viruses, malware, or scams that could damage your device or steal your personal information. You should also avoid pirated or illegal copies that could have poor quality or inaccurate content. You should only use trusted and reputable sources and platforms that offer legal and secure downloads. For example:
```html A Tolkien bestiary : Day, David, 1947- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
You can use online bookstores or publishers that offer PDF copies of their books for purchase or subscription. For example: A Tolkien Bestiary: Day, David: 9780753704592: Amazon.com: Books
You can use online platforms or apps that allow you to convert other formats of the book into PDF. For example: EPUB to PDF - Convert your EPUB to PDF for Free Online
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Tolkien Bestiary by David Day is a must-read book for anyone who loves Tolkien's works and wants to explore his amazing world of creatures and characters. It is a comprehensive and authoritative guide that provides detailed and accurate information, beautiful and original illustrations, and a convenient and easy-to-use reference tool. It is also a fun and entertaining book that will enrich your imagination and creativity, enhance your knowledge and curiosity, and immerse you in a magical and adventurous world. If you want to download a PDF copy of this book, you should be careful about the legal and ethical issues, and only use trusted and reputable sources and platforms.
FAQs
Q: When was A Tolkien Bestiary first published?
A: It was first published in 1979 by Mitchell Beazley in London.
Q: How many entries are there in A Tolkien Bestiary?
A: There are more than 200 entries in the book.
Q: Who are some of the artists who contributed to A Tolkien Bestiary?
A: Some of the artists are Lidia Postma, Ian Miller, Allan Curless, Michael Foreman, John Blanche, Pauline Baynes, Roger Garland, Ted Nasmith, John Howe, Alan Lee, and Peter Pracownik.
Q: What are some of the rare and obscure entries in A Tolkien Bestiary?
A: Some of the rare and obscure entries are the Nameless Things, the Watcher in the Water, the Were-worms, the Mewlips, the Lossoth, and the Valier.
Q: What are some of the benefits of reading A Tolkien Bestiary?
A: Some of the benefits are gaining a deeper appreciation and understanding of Tolkien's works, enriching your imagination and creativity, enhancing your knowledge and curiosity, and enjoying a fun and entertaining reading experience.
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