SKU: 31003508376

A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages: J.R.R. Tolkien

Sale price$16.20 Regular price$18.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.50 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 19 - Jul 24

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages: J.R.R. Tolkien*UNSIGNED* J. R. R. Tolkiens linguistic invention was a fundamental part of his artistic output, to the extent that later on in life he attributed the existence of his mythology to the desire to give his languages a home and peoples to speak them. As Tolkien puts it in A Secret Vice, the making of language and mythology are related functions. In the 1930s, Tolkien composed and delivered two lectures, in which he explored these two key elements of his

*UNSIGNED*


J.R.R. Tolkien’s linguistic invention was a fundamental part of his artistic output, to the extent that later on in life he attributed the existence of his mythology to the desire to give his languages a home and peoples to speak them. As Tolkien puts it in ‘A Secret Vice’, ‘the making of language and mythology are related functions’.

In the 1930s, Tolkien composed and delivered two lectures, in which he explored these two key elements of his sub-creative methodology. The second of these, the seminal Andrew Lang Lecture for 1938–9, ‘On Fairy-Stories’, which he delivered at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, is well known. But many years before, in 1931, Tolkien gave a talk to a literary society entitled ‘A Hobby for the Home’, where he unveiled for the first time to a listening public the art that he had both himself encountered and been involved with since his earliest childhood: ‘the construction of imaginary languages in full or outline for amusement’.

This talk would be edited by Christopher Tolkien for inclusion as ‘A Secret Vice’ in The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays and serves as the principal exposition of Tolkien’s art of inventing languages. This new critical edition, which includes previously unpublished notes and drafts by Tolkien connected with the essay, including his ‘Essay on Phonetic Symbolism’, goes some way towards re-opening the debate on the importance of linguistic invention in Tolkien’s mythology and the role of imaginary languages in fantasy literature.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 31003508376

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.7 ★★★★★
Based on 19 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
C
Verified Purchase
Carol C
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
excellent pillows i bought two sets!!
Size: Firm Queen (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
I ordered these for my son who has neck issues and has gone through so many pillows trying to find one that he liked. They’re heavy, so i was worried that they might be “too” heavy to be able to sleep on comfortably, so I ordered a second set, one firmer than the other (just in case) and gave him a set for Xmas and he loved the first set so much without even trying the less firm ones.He also needs the cooling factor and these offered that, too. They are filled with pieces of memory foam (tons of it) and each pillow can be modified by removing some of the foam. The covers are beautiful, high quality fabric with a zipper so ts easy to remove or replace the foam pieces. The size is perfect and they keep their shape. I kept the second set i ordered rather than returning them and i love the pillows. I actually modified two by removing some of the foam pieces. I kept the foam pieces in a zippered pillow protector and i can always adjust mine when or if i need to. 1000% love these.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Asha
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
The Perfect Firm Pillow l
Size: Queen (1 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
It is everything it claims to be, cool, comfortable and strong. I got this for my husband first, he loves it and then got one for my son, he uses it to support his knees and has been sleeping much better since then. They both needed a firm pillow that is not super soft, firm but not achy. Finally found the perfect one.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
J
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
These Bamboo Pillowcases Made Me Realize I Sleep Hot
Color: 07 - Cream, Size: Queen (20" X 30"), Color: 07 - Cream, Size: Queen (20" X 30")
I bought these mostly because I kept hearing people talk about bamboo pillowcases and honestly thought it sounded a little overhyped, but I totally get it now. The first thing I noticed was how cool they felt compared to regular cotton. I tend to get warm when I sleep and flip my pillow a million times during the night looking for the cold side, and these actually stay noticeably cooler longer. They also feel really soft without having that weird slippery texture some silky pillowcases have. My skin has been less irritated lately and my hair definitely looks less frizzy in the mornings. I have thick hair that tangles easily overnight, and these have helped more than I expected. Another thing I appreciate is that they’ve washed well so far. I was worried they’d pill or lose softness after a wash cycle, but they still feel smooth and nice. They also just make the bed feel cleaner and more comfortable overall. One of those small upgrades that ends up making a bigger difference than you’d think.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Aquamac
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Soft and cooling
Color: 08 - Sage Green, Size: Queen (20" X 30")
These are great pillowcases. Very soft, comfortable, and they stay cool throughout the night. They fit perfectly and feel really nice against your skin.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Ashley Hile
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 4
Sheets are good. Greens don't match
Color: 08 - Sage Green, Size: King (20" X 36"), Color: 08 - Sage Green, Size: King (20" X 36")
I purchased the sage green sheets to go along with another Bedsure comforter, then purchased 2 more pillow cases (because i I like a lot of pillows) and the greens don't exactly match. This doesn't REALLY bother me as I feel like its fine with a little "texture." Sheets feel nice and light and I love the look of it in my room.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2026

recommand products