{"product_id":"illustrating-the-lord-of-the-rings-in-the-soviet-bloc-iconographies-of-difference-9781350442085","title":"Illustrating the Lord of the Rings in the Soviet Bloc: Iconographies of Difference","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA comprehensive history and analysis of the Soviet illustrated editions of \u003ci\u003eThe Lord of the Rings\u003c\/i\u003e published between 1981 and 1993, this book explores the production and reception of these works against a backdrop of oppressive state censorship, restrictive publishing practices and logistical struggles of translating such long texts.\u003c\/b\u003e Highlighting the intense creativity, innovation and resourcefulness of illustrators from the USSR, \u003ci\u003eIllustrating \u003c\/i\u003eThe Lord of the Rings\u003ci\u003e in the Soviet Bloc\u003c\/i\u003e demonstrates how new forms of Tolkienian imagery reforged Western fantasy artwork and brought fresh iconographical diversity to late 20th-century fantasy visuals. In employing comparative analysis to reconcile the neglected Soviet illustrations with their popular Western equivalents, the book situates both pictorial traditions within the wider cultural and political contexts of the period and reflects upon their relevance to current debates regarding visual heterogeneity in fantasy. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Carefully reconstructing the diverse Middle-earth visions of illustrators such as \u003ci\u003eGyozo\u003c\/i\u003e Vida, Jerzy Czerniawski, Yassen Panov, Alexander Korotich, Èduard Zarjanskij, Denis Gordeev and Sergei Iukhimov, \u003ci\u003e Illustrating\u003c\/i\u003e The Lord of the Rings\u003ci\u003e in the Soviet Bloc\u003c\/i\u003e broadens notions of how Tolkien's work was received beyond Anglo-centric, Western audiences. A vivid record of artistic reception and the permeability of cultural boundaries during the final years of Communist rule, author Joel Merriner offers an art historian's analysis of these illustrations of Tolkien's beloved work and sheds new light on the role of visual art in shaping cultural content.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJoel Merriner\u003c\/b\u003e is Associate Lecturer in Art History at the University of Plymouth, and Tutor in Illustration at Falmouth University, UK. His latest research focuses on the global imaginary and the interconnected nature of Tolkien book illustration, fanart and film. He has presented at the Tolkien Society Seminar several times.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Academic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51676166390034,"sku":"9781350442085","price":126.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_130b8985-124b-4e5c-a70f-9d1d5e56d251.jpg?v=1761047575","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/illustrating-the-lord-of-the-rings-in-the-soviet-bloc-iconographies-of-difference-9781350442085","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}