This book explores J. R. R. Tolkien’s unique and warm relationship to the Kalevala, a poem usually hailed as the Finnish and Karelian national epic, combiled, edited and partly revisioned from older folk poetry by Finnish scholar Elias Lönnrot in the 19th century.

PrefaceAcknowledgements1. Introduction2. From folk tradition to fantasyOn J. R. R. TolkienOn role models, ancient heroesThe Kalevalas of LönnrotThe Kalevala Tolkien knewTolkien’s worksWhat did Tolkien think of the Kalevala?The merging of Finnish language and the Kalevala in Tolkien3. The story of the Kalevala and Tolkien’s fantasy worldWorld creation and world orderSong battles and quests before marriageThe Sampo and the SilmarilsInterludesThe end of the tale4 The Kalevalaic parts of Tolkien’s worldThe might of singing, music and wordsNature and the elementsOn VäinämöinenOn LouhiOn IlmarinenOn Kullervo5. ConclusionBibliographyIndex

"Jyrki Korpua brings new depth to Tolkien’s world-building with his delightful introduction to the song-built world of the Kalevala, which both inspired Tolkien’s earliest stories and resonates throughout his legendarium from the music of Creation to the songs of Tom Bombadil."Rachel Fulton Brown, Associate Professor of Medieval History, Fundamentals, and the College, The University of Chicago, USA