Author Description

Where the Shadows Lie takes the reader on a journey through Tolkien’s Middle-earth, following the hobbits, their companions, and the characters they encounter on their quest. Along the way, Skogemann reveals the deep symbolic layers that are the source of joy and enchantment that many find in reading The Lord of the Rings. Aragorn, with the aid of Gandalf, Legoli, and Gimli, ascends to the throne and becomes the center of a great, unified kingdom—a symbol of the collective Self. The four hobbits, representing individual ego-consciousness, are transformed by the quest and acquire the psychological tools they need to renew the Shire—the small domain enfolded in the great. Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious and the archetypes provide a key to understanding the forces of fantasy that are so powerful in Tolkien’s masterpiece—and thereby a key to understanding ourselves and the events of the outside world in our modern times. Praise for the Danish edition: Skogemann goes through the whole of Tolkien’s work—characters, landscapes, and events—to determine what kind of archetypes and basic situations from the collective unconscious are appearing. And she does it with enormous zest. —Anne Knudsen, Weekendavisen Pia Skogemann’s eloquent exposition is incredibly fertile even for an unbeliever like myself.... Her take on Tolkien’s trilogy pleasantly expands his universe in a most inspiring fashion.... She transports the work beyond black-and-white statements about the relations between good and evil. —Bo Tao Michaelis, Politiken If you are looking for a way to understand Jung’s theories, Skogemann’s work is eminent.... I can warmly recommend this book. —Niels H. Elberling, Højskolebladet The author shows why Tolkien’s brilliant story has touched so many people.... Exciting reading for all Tolkien fans who want to understand the story on a deeper, psychological level. —Martin Hjelmborg, Lektørudtalelse