 Cover of first edition | |
| Author | Marjorie Burns |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Tolkien studies |
| Genre | Scholarly analysis |
| Publisher | University of Toronto Press |
Publication date | 2005 |
| Media type | Paperback |
| Pages | 225 |
| ISBN | 978-0-8020-3806-7 |
| OCLC | 254993213 |
Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth is a 2005 scholarly book about the origins of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, and the nature of his characterisation, by the scholar of literature Marjorie Burns. Some of the chapters discuss "Celtic" and "Norse" influence on Tolkien's writing, while others explore literary themes. The book won a Mythopoeic Award for Inklings' Studies in 2008.
Reviewers have praised the book for helping to balance out earlier work on Middle-earth's Norse origins, for the way it shows the importance of "Celtic"-style crossings of rivers or gateways into Elvish and other realms, and for showing the fantasy author and Arts and Crafts advocate William Morris's influence on The Hobbit. Scholars have been less sure about the book's use of the shifting terms "Celtic" and "Norse", which are no longer used as they were in Tolkien's time.