Tolkien was born in January 1892 in a British-controlled part of South Africa to Mabel and Arthur Tolkien, a middle-class family. Until Tolkien's father died of a horrible disease, Tolkien had a reasonably normal childhood. His father worked for a bank and his mother stayed home, watching over and teaching both children.
It was through his mother's teachings that Tolkien learned to love language and the languages of the world. Tolkien's mother taught him many things, but Tolkien enjoyed languages the most. And Tolkien's love of language was reflected in his novels. In fact, Tolkien invented a language called Elvish for his novel. Much of Mythmaker explores Tolkien's love of language and how it shaped and influenced his life (even though he went through countless hardships).
Eventually, Tolkien's mother died too at the age of 34 from Type I Diabetes. Tolkien then lived with a local priest, who treated him well and nurtured his love of language and learning in general. Despite both of his parent's death, Tolkien remained connected with his family and brother, who he also lived with.
And though Tolkien's heart was broken, his love of language endured. He encountered a constructed language, Animalic, and his whole life was changed forever. As he grew older, Tolkien started to go on trips around the world. First, he went to Switzerland (a trip which later influenced his work tremendously). Then, Tolkien traveled to Exeter College, where he earned a degree.
Mythmaker is an exploration of Tolkien as a man and Tolkien's career. It is at once an informative book and a highly entertaining novel about the life and career of a man who people around the world have loved for the better part of a century. The book also deals with complex topics in a very accessible way for its intended audience. Specifically, the book explores topics related to death, grief, learning, becoming an orphan, and abuse.
