Christopher Tolkien Remembered: Steward of Middle-earth

As January unfolds, a season often reserved for reflection and new beginnings, we remember Christopher Tolkien, who passed on January 16, 2020. For many, he was more than a scholar or editor; he was the quiet guardian of a world that had captured our hearts for generations. Though he rarely sought the spotlight, his workContinueContinue reading “Christopher Tolkien Remembered: Steward of Middle-earth”

December 4: ‘On Fairy Stories’ Turns 76

Stories shape worlds, worlds shape stories. And sometimes, a story about stories can change how we see both. On Fairy Stories (1947) The essay got a fresh face in 2008. A lecture becomes a touchstone, a scholarly reflection on imagination, myth, and meaning. On December 4, 1947, J. R. R. Tolkien’s essay On Fairy Stories was published in EssaysContinueContinue reading “December 4: ‘On Fairy Stories’ Turns 76”

In Memoriam: Edith Mary Tolkien (1889–1971)

On November 29, 1971, Edith Mary Tolkien slipped quietly from this world when she was eighty-two, leaving behind a life woven into the fabric of her family and the imagination of Middle-earth. To the world, she may have seemed the quiet wife of J.R.R. Tolkien, but her life was more complex than any simple label.ContinueContinue reading “In Memoriam: Edith Mary Tolkien (1889–1971)”

The Hobbit That First Opened My Door to Middle-earth — Celebrating the 48-Year Legacy of Rankin/Bass’ Hobbit

I met Bilbo Baggins when I was thirteen years old, standing in the hallway of DeRidder Junior High. The library door carried a poster that stopped me in my tracks. A curious, round fellow stood in his front doorway, pipe in hand, sending smoke rings lazily into the air. The art looked like watercolor washedContinueContinue reading “The Hobbit That First Opened My Door to Middle-earth — Celebrating the 48-Year Legacy of Rankin/Bass’ Hobbit”

November 22: The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

Some stories wander through the edges of legend, light and elusive, inviting readers to step into a world both familiar and mysteriously wild. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (1962) A whimsical collection of Tolkien’s poetry, capturing the playful, enigmatic spirit of Tom Bombadil and his corner of Middle-earth. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil collects poems byContinueContinue reading “November 22: The Adventures of Tom Bombadil”