PODCAST · arts
Reading Tolkien
by Benjamin Bassett
This show examines Tolkien's work from a variety of literary perspectives. We examine Tolkien's lesser known works, his well known novels and his thematic and philosophical preoccupations and sentiments. Please join us! benjaminbassett.substack.com
Episodes
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Interview - DJ Taylor and The King Under the Mountain
I speak with biographer and critic D. J. Taylor about his new book, The King Under the Mountain: In Search of J. R. R. Tolkien. We discuss Tolkien’s life and literary world, the relationship between biography and Middle-earth, his politics and Catholicism, the influence of war and modernity, the...
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Professor Michael Drout: The Tower and the Ruin
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...
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Interview: Giuseppe Pezzini
Here, I interview author and academic Giuseppe Pezzini, who has released a new book, Tolkien and the Mystery of Literary Creation, published by Cambridge University Press. Unfortunately, the audio is not always great, and despite my efforts, an annoying background buzz remains. If anyone has any...
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The Silmarillion Sessions: Of the Sun and Moon
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benjaminbassett.substack.com
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Silmarillion Sessions: Of the Sindar
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benjaminbassett.substack.com
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Silmarillion Sessions: Chapters 7, 8 & 9
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benjaminbassett.substack.com
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The Rings of Power Episodes 1 & 2
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benjaminbassett.substack.com
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Tolkien, Martin, and morally dubious characters
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...
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Silmarillion Sessions 2
Join us as we discuss The Silmarillion (the Quenta) Chapters 1-4. We (or rather I) rant quite a lot about the nature of these early chapters as ‘myth’; not to be taken literally, but as a symbolic exploration of the diminution of primal coherence, beauty, light, etc. We touch on the role of the...
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Interview with scholar Brian Rosebury
In this episode, scholar Brian Rosebury and I discuss tragedy in Tolkien, the role of moral judgement in Tolkien’s fiction, and the considerations of character when making judgements about the choices of key figures in Tolkien’s legendarium. Please join us. This is a public episode. If you would...
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The Nature of Middle-earth: reviewed
Join Daniel Stride and I as we review The Nature of Middle-earth, published in 2021. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benjaminbassett.substack.com
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The Silmarillion Sessions 1
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...
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Interview: Tom Emanuel
Here I discuss Tolkien with @RealTomEmanuel, a minister and Tolkien Scholar. We touch on recent trends in the reception of Tolkien, Tolkien studies, and beauty of The Lord of the Rings. Please join us for a great discussion! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
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Of the Rings of Power
Listen in as Ben and Sridhar discuss the Rings of Power in Tolkien's world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benjaminbassett.substack.com
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Interview: Dawn M. Walls-Thumma
Today I present an interview with scholar and writer Dawn Walls-Thumma. We discuss Dawn's essay 'Attainable Vistas: Historical Bias in Tolkien's Legendarium as a Motive for Transformative Fanworks' published in Volume 3 of the Journal of Tolkien Research. We discuss a range of topics, including...
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On Ross Douthat, Amazon and Adaptation
Join Benjamin and Shridhar for the 13th episode of the podcast. They discuss Ross Douthat's recent Substack article on the upcoming amazon show, where he muses about the fate of the story and the likelihood of success. A number of (potentially) controversial hot takes ensue in the discussion!…
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Interview: Dr Holly Ordway
In this episode, I interview the great Tolkien scholar Holly Ordway, who has recently published the book Tolkien's Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages, published by Word on Fire. We range over topics pertinent to Ordway's book, but also touch on the status of Tolkien studies, the...
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Interview: Dr Vladimir Brljak
In this episode, I interview literary scholar Vladimir Brljak, who published an article in 2010 entitled The Book of Lost Tales: Tolkien as Metafictionist. The article argues that Tolkien's metafiction (the Red Book, etc) is central to understanding the effect his work has on readers. We also…
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Aldarion and Erendis: Part Deux
In this episode, Ben and Sridhar return to 'Aldarion and Erendis' from Unfinished Tales. They discuss the characters and themes, with a particular focus on the slowly growing imperial ambitious of Aldarion and the quietly stoic, if bitter, character of Erendis. LOTRonPrime news and other matters...
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On The Hobbit
Ben and Sridhar discuss Tolkien's first classic, The Hobbit. They look at Bilbo's journey, the place of moral theory in Tolkien's work, the differences between modern and ancient worldviews, and the place of The Hobbit in Tolkien's wider legendarium. Join them for this in depth and (by the end)...
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Talking about Tolkien's darkest tale
In this episode, Sridhar and Benjamin discuss Tolkien's darkest work, The Children of Húrin. Join us as we delve into issues of fate, free-will, and theodicy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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Interview: Tolkien scholar Gergely Nagy
In this episode, I interview Hungarian Tolkienist Gergely Nagy, who has written a plethora of (admittedly heavy!) papers on Tolkien and theory, Tolkien and metafiction, and other topics. Join us as we delve into Tolkien's theory of fiction, the strategies he used to make his texts feel...
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On The Lord of the Rings in the 21st Century
In this, the inaugural episode with my brilliant new cohost Sridhar Bhagavathula, we discuss the place of The Lord of the Rings in the 21st century over a glass of wine (well, one of us, at any rate). Topics range from the reception of the Jackson films, adaptation, to Tolkien's Catholicism, a...
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Thoughts on the Amazon synopsis
In this episode, I offer brief thoughts with regard to the recently released synopsis for the Lord of the Rings on Prime show. I also update listeners on a few matters. During my remarks, I refer and quote from Daniel Stride's blog on the Amazon show, available here. This is a public episode. If...
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Interview: Dr Dennis Wise
In this fascinating discussion, Dr Dennis Wise (University of Arizona) and I talk about a range of topics related to Tolkien studies, including the state of the academic field, the place of Critical Theory in the reception of Tolkien, theories about metafiction in Tolkien's fiction, the...
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Episode 3 - Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife
In this, our third episode at Reading Tolkien, we explore Tolkien's little known but fascinating and often moving unfinished novel, 'Aldarion and Erendis'. Join us as we discuss Tolkien's writing process, the effect that this story has (retrospectively) on the moral character of The Lord of the...
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Interview with Daniel Stride
Here, I interview blogger and SF writer Daniel Stride, who blogs at https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/ Daniel blogs on Tolkien's work, among other topics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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Reading Tolkien Podcast - Episode 1
In this, our premier episode, I explain the intent of the podcast and Razib and I discuss the latest news in regards to the upcoming Amazon Second Age show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This show examines Tolkien's work from a variety of literary perspectives. We examine Tolkien's lesser known works, his well known novels and his thematic and philosophical preoccupations and sentiments. Please join us!
benjaminbassett.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Benjamin Bassett
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Reading Tolkien have?
Reading Tolkien currently has 28 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Reading Tolkien about?
This show examines Tolkien's work from a variety of literary perspectives. We examine Tolkien's lesser known works, his well known novels and his thematic and philosophical preoccupations and sentiments. Please join us! benjaminbassett.substack.com
How often does Reading Tolkien release new episodes?
Reading Tolkien has 28 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Reading Tolkien?
You can listen to Reading Tolkien on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Reading Tolkien?
Reading Tolkien is created and hosted by Benjamin Bassett.
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