Powered by the University Libraries. Speaking of Books series features free, open to the community and public talks by UMD faculty authors on their recently published work. 

Join the University Libraries for a discussion with Senior Lecturer Peter Grybauskas on his new book A Sense of Tales Untold: Exploring the Edges of Tolkien’s Literary Canvas. 

Moderated by University Librarians (and Tolkien fans) Emily Deinert and Suzy Wilson.

[From the Publisher] A Sense of Tales Untold examines the margins of J. R. R. Tolkien’s work: the frames, edges, allusions, and borders between story and un-story and the spaces between vast ages and miniscule time periods. 

The untold tales that are simply implied or referenced in the text are essential to Tolkien’s achievement in world-building, Peter Grybauskas argues, and counter the common but largely spurious image of Tolkien as a writer of bloated prose. Instead, A Sense of Tales Untold highlights Tolkien’s restraint―his ability to check the pen to great effect.

On campus, Peter Grybauskas teaches primarily in the Department of English.  Abroad, he leads short-term courses on Tolkien (winter-term in the UK) and on food (summer-term in Italy).  His scholarship focuses on Tolkien, fantasy, and medievalism.

Before coming to UMD, he taught in Italy and collaborated with the Roman Association of Tolkien Studies.