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(163)

144. Never Laugh at Live Dragons – The Hobbit #29

144. Never Laugh at Live Dragons – The Hobbit #29

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19 Aug 20250s

143. Playing Tales of the Shire So You Don’t Have To

143. Playing Tales of the Shire So You Don’t Have To

The new game, Tales of the Shire was released last month after numerous delays… so, I took a bullet for the team and bought the game.  I livestreamed playing the game for the very first time earlier t...

7 Aug 20250s

142. Size Matters to Every Dragon – The Hobbit #28

142. Size Matters to Every Dragon – The Hobbit #28

Bilbo finally becomes a real burglar in this chapter, venturing alone into the heart of the Lonely Mountain as Thorin and company are once again exposed for the unprepared adventurers they are. Meanwh...

22 Jul 20250s

141. An Interview with Elijah Wood

141. An Interview with Elijah Wood

Here’s the next episode in our series of interviews from the December 2, 2003 roundtable discussions! In this interview–just before The Return of the King was released–Elijah wood reflects on the jour...

11 Jul 20250s

140. Into the Mountain’s Throat – The Hobbit #27

140. Into the Mountain’s Throat – The Hobbit #27

Erebor’s secret door: clever storytelling or a bit too convenient? In this episode, we discuss one of The Hobbit’s quieter chapters, where Bilbo and the dwarves finally reach Erebor’s hidden entrance....

24 Jun 20250s

139. The Problem with Thorin – The Hobbit #26

139. The Problem with Thorin – The Hobbit #26

As Thorin and company finally reach the Lonely Mountain, reality sets in—and it doesn’t smell so pleasant. We examine Tolkien’s skillful prose and worldbuilding as the company confront the desolation ...

10 Jun 202546min

138. What Tolkien Really Thinks About Politicians – The Hobbit #25

138. What Tolkien Really Thinks About Politicians – The Hobbit #25

Tolkien makes it pretty clear what he thinks about politicians in this chapter… While Thorin and company regain their royal swagger, the Master of Laketown plots to save his own skin and run them out ...

27 Mai 202543min

137. Do the elves have ANYTHING valuable to trade? – The Hobbit #24

137. Do the elves have ANYTHING valuable to trade? – The Hobbit #24

Were back looking at the first half of Chapter 10, “A Warm Welcome.” In this episode, we discuss the arrival of Bilbo and the dwarves at Laketown (check out Tolkien’s drawing), how this chapter leans ...

13 Mai 20250s

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