澳大新語 • 2023 UMAGAZINE 28 50 人物專訪 • EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW (primarily UK, Irish, and Anglophone); cultural environmentalism and intangible cultural heritage; and historicist readings of the Gothic from earliest times to the present day. To date, Prof Groom has published 8 academic monographs, edited 12 books, and authored more than 100 academic papers. Prof Groom says, ‘My research endeavours began with the study of the ancient poetry collected by Percy, which I have since extended to many other themes and academic fields. For example, by comparing texts from different time periods and regions, I can delve deeper into various social and cultural issues, thus having more profound discussions and interpretations. I also reflect on the impact on and significance for us in the present moment as I compare the texts.’ Reflecting on Life Through Literature During COVID-19 Classic literature is considered classic because it touches the depths of human emotions, creating resonance and empathy between readers and the stories’ protagonists. Prof Groom completed Twenty-First-Century Tolkien during pandemic restrictions. During this time, he contemplated the life lessons drawn from COVID-19. He shared with his students his reflections. ‘Tolkien also went through the devastating Spanish flu pandemic that started after the end of World War I. Like us, who were born a century later, Tolkien also had to learn to deal with isolation, alienation, restriction, and loss of confidence in life. These situations can be compared to that of Arwen, the immortal beauty in The Lord of the Rings. Falling in love with a mortal man, she had to give up her immortality and endure years of solitude before her eventual death.’ Drawing these connections between life and literature, Prof Groom continues: ‘Life is full of ups and downs. Tolkien himself also suffered the ravages of war and the pain of illness. With that said, overcoming these challenges is a victory in itself. The Lord of the Rings teaches us that we will never know how evil our enemy (or inner demon) is until victory is achieved. I hope that students can learn from the beautiful literary world how to regain balance and courage during challenging times and understand how to establish their own purpose and meaning in life.’ house Atlantic Books, was released in September 2022. Within a few days of its publication, the book was reviewed in the Swiss press Le Temps, the US press Washington Post, and the UK press Mail on Sunday—where it was described as ‘Fascinating… Wonderfully exhilarating’ and regarded as a must-read for fans of The Lord of the Rings. It has since been republished in an expanded edition and a US edition, and several translations are in preparation. Shaping Research Interests In addition to his extensive literary knowledge and gentlemanly demeanour, Prof Groom also brought with him from England to Macao his classic books, which can be found on the bookshelves in his office. This reveals another identity of Prof Groom: he is also a connoisseur of literary manuscripts and historical relics. He can often be seen visiting art markets, where he enjoys discovering antiques and judging their authenticity. This passion can be traced back to his research on the 18th-century English poet Thomas Percy during his doctoral studies in the early 1990s—it was a defining project that provided some direction toward his future academic research. Prof Groom remembers a serendipitous discovery during his journey from the University of Oxford to his parents’ house. While he was walking, he unexpectedly encountered Percy’s old house, which was located a mere five miles from his parents’ house. The overwhelmed Groom felt an instant connection with the English poet—they shared the same hometown. This connection also dropped hints about his dissertation topic: Thomas Percy. As a result, Groom embarked on his extensive research about the poet. He made trips to history museums to study Percy’s correspondence, manuscripts, and writings, delving into the historical background and styles of his works. Groom also analysed how the public at that time viewed Percy’s works. He eventually compiled his research into a book titled The Making of Percy’s Reliques, which was published by Oxford University Press. The completion of Groom’s doctoral studies also helped shape his research interests. His research areas primarily include cultural formation and authenticity, including attribution studies and literary forgery; national and regional identities
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