A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages

This is the first critical edition of Tolkien’s essay on imaginary languages, “A Secret Vice”, together with an unpublished essay on Phonetic Symbolism, and all of Tolkien’s hitherto omitted notes and drafts. These materials are accompanied by a substantial introduction, detailed textual notes, and a “coda” on the legacy of language invention after Tolkien. The book has now taken its place among the canon of original works by Tolkien, authorized by the Tolkien Estate and published by his official publishers (HarperCollins). The book won the Tolkien Society award for Best Book, and it was widely reviewed, including in the national press (e.g. The New Statesman). It has already become an “established reference point in the field”