‘The Hobbit’ wasn’t initially supposed to be part of Middle-earth but became inexorably absorbed. Here’s how it enriched the legendarium. — The way The Hobbit became caught in Tolkien’s legendarium almost by chance (though the Professor wasn’t a fan of chances) is truly fascinating. The Hobbit is a ‘strange’ story. It doesn’t have the majesty and epic of all the other stories of Middle-earth, which — in my opinion — is…

Tolkien’s experience in the Great War impacted Bilbo’s story too and allowed ‘The Lord of the Rings’ to be the masterpiece it is. — I will admit that I’m very, very interested in how Tolkien’s experience in WWI reflects in his work. Tolkien’s stories — and his masterpiece The Lord of the Rings maybe more so than all the others — can be read in many different ways. …

Why I think we should give more love to “The Hobbit” — I’m coming to September Hobbit later than I would have liked, but here I am at last. This is the month we celebrate #HobbitDay (on 22nd September, Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday), and I love to have a special celebration here on Middle-earth Literary Gazette. I love talking about The Hobbit…

The conflict is the one single component that will make a strong narrative. How to create one that will support and carry the entire story? — The conflict is vital to the story because everything circles around it. Without conflict, there is no story. Stories with a weak or unclear conflict are much less involving for the reader. But when we pin down the conflict, everything clicks into place. The conflict is the story’s engine, but…

I kept an open mind until the very end, but Amazon’s communication finally managed to drive me away from their ‘Rings of Power’ series. — I won’t be watching Amazon series. I was in a ‘possible’ mood for a long time. Ever since I learned (years ago) that the series was going to be set in the Second Age, I hoped it would be good. I love the Second Age. The Fall of Númenor is…

The Tolkien Society has chosen ‘Friendship and Love’ as theme for this year Tolkien Reading Day. — For suddenly above him far and faint his song was taken up, and a voice answering called to him. Maedhros it was that sang amid his torment. …

Authenticity applies to Tolkien’s work too, you know? — I’ve just learned of the passing of Priscilla Tolkien. Such sad news. And not only because it’s always sad to hear about a passing, but because she was the last of Professor Tolkien’s children. The last of the Numenoereans, as one of my friends aptly said. In memory of Priscilla Tolkien | Lady Margaret Hall The college announces with regret the death of Priscilla Tolkien on 28 February 2022, at the age of 92, after a short…www.lmh.ox.ac.uk