62. Tolkien Still Matters : with Nick Groom, author of Tolkien in the 21st Century

62. Tolkien Still Matters : with Nick Groom, author of Tolkien in the 21st Century

This week Michael and I talked with Professor Nick Groom, author of Tolkien in the 21st Century: The Meaning of Middle-earth Today, releasing Sept. 5, 2023 (apologies for some some of the echo in the audio!). Professor Groom’s book is a detailed, in-depth, but very readable look into MIddle-earth, and how he perceives Tolkien as more relevant than ever before–particularly in a post-COVID culture. This was a refreshing discussion that dove deep into things including:

  • Professor Groom’s thoughts on the ambiguity of evil in Middle-earth
  • How Tolkien’s themes are vital in a post-lockdown era
  • Why he believes The Rings of Power is a great story in the tradition of Middle-earth adaptations–but definitely isn’t Tolkien’s story.

Then, join us in our extended episode (https://theonering.com/members) where we:

  • Does The Rings of Power deserve the amount of criticism we give it?
  • Who is his favorite character in all of Middle-earth?
  • What should be done to encourage young artists to write great new stories again?

🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! Nick Groom is the Professor of Literature in English at the University of Macau, held positions at universities of Chicago, Stanford and Exeter where he holds an Honorary Professorship, and for many years taught the only UK undergraduate course in Tolkien. BECOME A MEMBER! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and live chats. Click here! 🔗 Episode Links Tolkien in the 21st Century (US version) Twenty-First-Century Tolkien (UK version) The Last Ringbearer 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Google 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Silmarillion The Fall of Númenor The Fall of Gondolin The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🖼 Special Thanks to Anna Grumbine for the artwork!

Episoder(164)

27. He’s an Angry Elf | Of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 17

27. He’s an Angry Elf | Of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 17

As Turgon builds the city of Gondolin in secret, the bitter seeds of distrust between the Noldor and the Sindar find fertile ground, for Melian warns Thingol, “Their swords and their counsels shall ha...

6 Des 20220s

26. This Map is HELL – Of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 16

26. This Map is HELL – Of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 16

Location and placement were incredibly important to Tolkien–so important that an entire chapter of The Silmarillion is dedicated to who is where! While it can definitely feel like a geography lesson, ...

29 Nov 20220s

25. Doomsday and Dragons – Return of the Noldor, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 15

25. Doomsday and Dragons – Return of the Noldor, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 15

Tolkien sets out the pieces of Middle-earth’s chess board, putting the characters in their proper places before the doomsday of Fëanor’s unspoken realization bears down on all the players… and we get ...

22 Nov 202256min

24. Middle-earth’s Game of Thrones – Return of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 14

24. Middle-earth’s Game of Thrones – Return of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 14

With Chapter 13 of The Silmarillion, Tolkien tells us Of The Return of the Noldor, revealing that the houses of Feanor, Fingolfin, and Thingol are the ORIGINAL Game of Thrones! Join Jonathan, Michael,...

15 Nov 20220s

23. Toxic Masculinity or Inscrutable Men – Of Men – The Silmarillion – 13

23. Toxic Masculinity or Inscrutable Men – Of Men – The Silmarillion – 13

************************** In “Of Men”, Tolkien gives us the first glimpse into Man-Elf relations–and it wasn’t all toxic at first (just incsrutable!). Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they talk Cha...

8 Nov 20220s

22. Inspired by Tolkien | The Rings of Power, Glass Hammer, and Music in  Middle-earth

22. Inspired by Tolkien | The Rings of Power, Glass Hammer, and Music in Middle-earth

I had the pleasure of sitting with Steve Babb from the band Glass Hammer to talk The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power, and what it’s like to be a creator inspired by Tolkien. Glass Hammer kicked ...

1 Nov 20220s

21. The First Sunrise – Of the Sun and Moon – The Silmarillion – 12

21. The First Sunrise – Of the Sun and Moon – The Silmarillion – 12

In “Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor”, Tolkien taps into a grander myth of Middle-earth and returns to the two trees of Valinor to explain how the sun and moon were made. Join Jonathan, M...

26 Okt 202251min

20. The Rings of Power IN-DEPTH Review : Episode 8 : Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing

20. The Rings of Power IN-DEPTH Review : Episode 8 : Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing

In our darkest dreams, we never imagined Amazon would change Tolkien’s work as dramatically as they did in  The Rings of Power. In our final in-depth review, we discuss the stupidity of Celebrimbor, t...

19 Okt 20221h 34min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
stopp-verden
popradet
det-store-bildet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-gukild-johaug
fotballpodden-2
nokon-ma-ga
hanna-de-heldige
rss-ness
aftenbla-bla
rss-espen-lee-usensurert
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
frokostshowet-pa-p5
bt-dokumentar-2