Reading Tolkien

Professor Michael Drout speaks to me about his fascinating and deeply moving new literary memoir cum detailed literary analysis The Tower and the Ruin. Drout's book, published December 2nd, analyses Tolkien from the persective of one reader, whilst also providing evidence for how Tolkien is best read in the context of his academic discipline, philology, and Tolkien's creative response to his medieval sources.

In this interview I chat with Giuseppe (Beppe) Pezzini, author of the fascinating new book, 'Tolkien and the Mystery of Literary Creation'. Together, we delve into the intricacies of Tolkien's imagination, explore the reception of Tolkien in Italy, and discuss the role of Tolkien Studies in readers' appreciation of Tolkien's texts. Please join us. 

In this minisode I discuss the myth of the Sun and the Moon in The Silmarillion. I jump right into my thoughts so it is recommended that you have read the chapter recently. 

In this episode I discuss the Sindar in Chapter 10 of The Silmarillion, and offer brief thoughts on my recent re-read of The Lord of the Rings.

We discuss Fëanor (somewhat drunkenly!) in this new podcast, our first for 2023! For those who think Fëanor 'did nothing wrong' this is the podcast for you! We defend the great Elf's actions and discuss the bias of The Silmarillion narrator at this part of the story. But did Tolkien intend us to read his 'Bible' in this way! For answers to these and other questions please join us!  Find Reading Tolkien on twitter: @PodReading, and on Substack.

Sridhar and Ben discuss the first two episodes of the new Amazon series, The Rings of Power.

In this episode Sridhar and I discuss the upcoming Amazon show, Rings of Power, and the prequel to Game of Thrones - House of the Dragon. The discussion turns to the variant means by which Tolkien and Martin approach morally dubious characters like Gollum, or the Lannisters. Both of us are unrepentent in our bias to Tolkien, and I frequently argue that much of what is said to constitute Martin' s genius is done better elsewhere, and frequently with much greater nuance. So, if you're a Martin fan, you will probably find a lot here to argue with.

Join Ben and Sridhar as they discuss Chapters 1-4 of the Quenta Silmarillion. They touch on the nature of the Valar, the status of The Silmarillion as a text within the world of The Lord of the Rings, the various theodicies presented in the text, and the efficacy of mythological vs. theological approaches to the text.

Join Professor Brian Rosebury (Tolkien: A Cultural Phenomenon) and myself as we discuss Tolkien and tragedy, morality and moral judgement.  Brian's details can be found here: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/academics/dr-brian-rosebury

Join us for a new episode in which we review the Nature of Middle-earth with Daniel Stride.  Daniel's blog may be found at https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/

Join us for the inaugural episode of the Silmarillion Sessions. We begin with the myth of Creation, the Ainulindalë. We touch on the importance of beauty and goodness, and ask whether these two concepts can be equated in the story, and we consider the role that Plato's ideas about the Forms might play in comprehending the nature of Tolkien's creation myth. We also discuss the Waldman letter. Please join us. The Silmarillion Sessions are suitable for veteran readers, or those who wish to get into The Silmarillion for the first time. We recommend that you read the chapter prior to listening to the episode, however! Find us at our Substack, and Twitter. Please leave a rating and a review, and let us know if you think that Beauty can be equated with The Good!