|
Home l Bio l Writing l Speaking l Illustrations l Order l Contact |
|||||||||
| Petoskey News Review Article - Sep 11, 2003 * | |||||||||
|
Author explores Christian values through J.R.R.
Tolkien's works By Ryan Bentley
And through an upcoming book by Petoskey resident Sarah Arthur, Tyndale acquisitions editor Jan Axford said the firm sees a potential to illustrate the relevance of Tolkien's themes to Christian life. "We loved being able to bring the spiritual side, to say there's more than face value," Axford said. Arthur's' first book project, "Walking With Frodo: A Devotional Journey Through the Lord of the Rings," is scheduled for release in Christian and general interest bookstores nationwide on Oct. 1 -- a few weeks before the originally planned date. Axford said the release late this year of the third and final "Lord of the Rings" movie adaptation factored into the change. "The pre-release sales were so good that we had to go back for a second printing before the release date." The paperback work, approximately 200 pages long, presents nine pairs of devotionals which present contrasting attributes which hobbit Frodo and other Tolkien characters must choose between during the course of the trilogy. For example, she discusses the concepts of slavery and freedom as illustrated by character Theoden, and king who is steered down a path of apathy by his counselor; and Theoden's niece, Eowyn, who decries confinement. Arthur's interest in Tolkien's work was kindled when she attended a modern mythology course as part of a summer-study program at Oxford University in England a few years ago. Having earned degrees in literature and Christian education at Illinois' Wheaton College, Arthur, 29, said this academic background helped her sense Tolkien's Christian perspective. The new book doesn't attempt to characterize the "Lord of the Rings" volumes as Christian allegory, she added. "Instead, it discusses how Tolkien's story serves as a teachable moment for today's young people, driving home timeless truths about home and faith," Arthur said. Arthur, who also works for United Methodist Publishing House as a contract editor for Sunday School curricula, said she's enjoyed working with Illinois-based Tyndale toward publication of "Walking with Frodo." "What excites me is they're thrilled about the inside material," she said. "That was great for me to have as a new writer, for them to be excited about what I'd written, not just the idea." Publisher's Weekly mentioned Arthur's upcoming book in a recent online column focusing on current trends in Christian publishing. Staff at Relevant Magazine, a Christian publication for young adults, recently interviewed the author for a piece on "The Lord of the Rings" series and its spiritual themes. She anticipates several book-signing sessions at Northern Michigan stores later this year, including one tentatively scheduled for late October at Promises and Praises in downtown Petoskey. "I'm doing the happy dance," Arthur said. "Of course, its all thanks to Frodo." Sarah is married to Tom Arthur, director of ministries at the Petoskey United Methodist Church. The author has a web site with an overview of her writing, speaking and illustrating projects at www.saraharthur.com. Book Facts Some Details about Petoskey Resident Sarah Arthur's soon-to-be released book: Title:
"Walking With Frodo: A Devotional Journey Through The Lord of The Rings" *This article has been edited by the webmaster. |
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
| ► Back to Articles | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
With a favorable public response to the move adaptation f of J.R.R.
Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" books, staff at Tyndale House Publishers
believe such works of fantasy have a significant following among young
adults.
"Our goal was to get as much of the book into the market as we could
because of the movie release," she said. "On top of that, Sarah's a
great author and she got it done faster than we expected."